Rabbi 360

Ironically there is not much by way of prayer in the Torah. The Israelites cry out to God for liberation; Moses prays for the healing of his sister Miriam.

And in this week’s portion of Naso we have the Priestly Blessing, the three-line blessing that the ancient priests would recite over the people. It is a liturgy that we still use today. Even without a priesthood, we incorporate these words into our prayerbook, and recite them at life-cycle events.

The language for God in these short phrases are somewhat anthropomorphic. And while I don’t believe in an anthropomorphic God, I also don’t have problems with the language itself. I did undertake, however, my own translation and interpretation, which I share with you here.

This week feels particularly potent for blessing. We mark Pride this month, a celebration of relationship and revelation and identity and love. This week we also mark Juneteenth, a celebration of liberation and diversity and repentance, and Father’s Day, a celebration of parenting and continuity. And soon we will mark the Solstice, a celebration of nature and time.

And with the ongoing pain in the world, as we hope for the missing and mourn for the dead, may these ancient words continue to reverberate until they are heard and manifest by all.

יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ ה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ׃       

May you always feel blessed in your life, but when you don’t, may you feel protected and safe and held.

יָאֵ֨ר ה ׀ פָּנָ֛יו אֵלֶ֖יךָ וִֽיחֻנֶּֽךָּ׃       

May your life’s path be illuminated for you, but when you can’t find the way, may you find comfort and help and guidance.

יִשָּׂ֨א ה ׀ פָּנָיו֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְךָ֖ שָׁלֽוֹם׃

May everyone who turns towards you see you for the special and sacred divine creature that you are, and may you see everyone that you turn towards as the special and sacred divine creature that they are. And may you be granted that most special and precious of blessings: the blessing of peace, wholeness, acceptance, harmony, contentment and love–of body, of mind, and of spirit.

May it be so.