02/01/2026
A New Year Blessing...
At the outset of the new civil year, let us recall the ancient "priestly blessing," the great expression of hope and grace that transforms us into “name bearers” of God.
The blessing of the LORD guards us from illusion, directing our hearts to focus on what matters most; His radiance changes us, revealing the miracle of grace.
As God “lifts up his face” upon us, he discloses his Presence within all things, and he imparts to us his healing peace.
God’s Name is “put upon” us so that we become vessels that carry redemptive love and healing to the world. We are endowed with divine energy to be made fruitful; we are empowered to serve God in the truth. The consciousness of our blessedness touches every moment, and we begin to see all of life as sanctified, sacred, full of wonder and meaning.
The Priestly Blessing (ברכת הכהנים):
1. "May the LORD bless you and keep you;
2. May the LORD shine his face upon you
and be gracious to you;
3. May the LORD lift up his face upon you
and give you his peace."
- Num. 6:24-26
Note that the text of this great "priestly blessing" (i.e., birkat kohanim) begins with *three words, is comprised of *three parts, invokes the divine Name *three times, and is therefore quite appropriately called "the three-in-one blessing."
Note further that each of the three phrases begins with the Hebrew letter Yod (י), suggesting the threefold hand of YHVH (יהוה) that touches you: the Father blesses you (יְבָרֶכְךָ); the Word of God shines upon you (יָאֵר), and the Spirit of God lifts you up and carries you in the way of life (יִשָּׂא).
The threefold blessing is One, of course, just as Adonai echad: יְהוָה אֶחָד, the LORD is One (Deut. 6:4), and the essence of the blessing is to partake of healing and wholeness as expressed in the Hebrew word shalom (שָׁלוֹם). Amen.
Without "oseh shalom," without peace made within our hearts, all other blessings are only apparent and without genuine substance...
[ Hebrew for Christians ]
Num. 6:24-26 reading:
https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/num6-24-26-jjp.mp3
Hebrew Study Page:
https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/num6-24-26-lesson.pdf
More on Birkat Hakohanim:
https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Synagogue_Blessings/Priestly_Blessing/priestly_blessing.html