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This Shabbos, we will read the Torah portion, Naso. In this Parshah, Moshe told Aharon and his sons, the Kohanim, to bless the Jewish Nation. The first blessing was[1] “May Hashem bless you and watch over you.” Rashi explains the meaning of this blessing[2], “that your possessions shall be blessed.”
Rashi explains the simple meaning of the Torah. “May Hashem bless you” seems to be a very general sort of blessing. Why does Rashi tell us that the Berochoh specifically refers to Hashem blessing our possessions?
We can understand this by first answering a different question. At the beginning of Parshas Bechukosai[3], G-d gave a wealth of blessings to those who study Torah and keep its Mitzvos. What do the Kohanic Berochos add to these? That is why Rashi explains that “May Hashem bless you” means that he shall bless your possessions. This is a Berochoh that the Torah did not mention earlier.
The earlier blessings were quantitative. If we keep Hashem’s commandments, He will shower us with an abundance of good.
Here Rashi explains that He is blessing that which we already have; Hashem will bless “your possessions.” They will grow and expand beyond that which one would naturally expect.
This is similar to that which the Torah says regarding our forefather Yitzchok. He[4] “planted in that land, and he found in that year a hundred-fold, and the Lord blessed him.”
Rashi explains there that this tells us that even though “… the land was hard and the year was a hard one… the land produced for each measure that they had estimated, one hundred measures.”
Hashem should give us all of the blessings, both in quantity and quality. This should, of course, include the primary Berochoh. May we merit the complete and true redemption through our righteous Moshiach now!
I wish one and all a Good Shabbos and a healthy summer!
Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn
Adapted from Likkutei Sichos Volume 33, Pages 50 ff.
DEDICATED IN HONOR OF THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE
מוקדש לזכות כ”ק אדמו”ר נשיא דורנו מליובאוויטש
IN HONOR OF
The Soldiers of Tzivos Hashem Chaim and Aiden Oded שיחיו Morris
DEDICATED BY THEIR PARENTS
Rabbi & Mrs. Menachem M. and Chaya Mushka שיחיו Morris
לזכות
חיילי “צבאות השם” חיים ועדן עודד שיחיו מאריס
נדפס ע”י הוריהם
הרה”ת ר’ מנחם מענדל וזוגתו מרת חי’ מושקא שיחיו מאריס
DEDICATED BY MR. RAZIEL שיחי’ GATES
[1]. Our Parshah, Bamidbar 6:24.
[2]. Ibid.
[3]. Beginning Vayikroh 26:3.
[4]. Parshas Toldos, Bereishis 26:12.
The Rebbe Teaches Rashi 