In this week’s Torah portion, Naso, we find the famous Priestly Blessing[1]. “May Hashem bless you and watch over you. May Hashem cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you. May Hashem raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace.” Rashi cites the word from the verse “May (He) bless you,” and explains “that your property shall be blessed.”
This requires an explanation. It seems that the blessing “may Hashem bless you” is very general in nature. It includes everything. Why should Rashi limit it to the property?
One explanation is as follows. The Torah already promised us an unlimited number of the greatest possible blessings for toiling in Torah and fulfilling the Mitzvos[2]. That being the case, we must say that the Torah is adding something here. There must be something new and unique included in this blessing, which is not found in all of the earlier blessings. That is why Rashi explains that this is indeed a blessing which we did not receive earlier. This blessing is not that we will receive more property; rather that the property itself will be blessed. Our fields will produce more than they would naturally be expected to produce.
The earlier blessings concerned quantity. We would receive an exceedingly large amount of goodness. The only blessing there regarding the produce of the fields, is that it would be guarded, protected.
This blessing relates to the quality of goodness. It is similar to that which was given to our forefather Yitzchok[3]. “Yitzchok planted in that land. He found in that year a hundred-fold, and G-d blessed him.” Rashi cites the words “a hundred-fold” and explains as follows. “They had estimated how much the land was fit to produce; it produced for each measure that they had estimated one hundred measures.” That is the nature of the blessing which we will receive.
May we merit to witness these qualitative blessings; especially the blessing of the coming Moshiach now!
Have a wonderful Shabbos and healthy summer!
Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn
Adapted from Likkutei Sichos Volume 33, Beginning with Page 50
IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR FATHER
Mr. Sholom Moshe Hacohen
ben Reb Shlomo Meir Hacohen ע”ה Cohen
Passed away Shabbos Parshas Beshalach, 13 Shevat, 5779
May His Soul be bound in the Eternal Bond of Life
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DEDICATED BY HIS FAMILY
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לעילוי נשמת
ר’ שלום משה הכהן בן ר’ שלמה מאיר הכהן ע”ה כהן
נפטר ש”ק פ’ בשלח, י”ג שבט, ה’תשע”ט
ת. נ. צ. ב. ה.
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יו”ל ע”י בני משפחתו שיחיו
[1]. Our Parshah, Bamidbar 6:24-26.
[2]. Parshas Bechukosai, Vayikroh 26:4-12.
[3]. Parshas Toldos, Bereishis 26:12.
The Rebbe Teaches Rashi 