Cohanim Blessing: Birkat Cohanim

Numbers 6:24-26

May the Lord Bless you and keep you, holding your heart
May the Lord’s light shine upon you, into your soul
May the Lord’s light shine upon you, into your soul
And may you have the blessing, the blessing of peace

Yivarechecha
 Adonai
 viyishmirecha
Ya’er
 Adonai
 panav 
elecha
 veechuneka
Yeesa
 Adonai
 panav
 elecha
 viyasem 
lecha
 shalom

This prayer from the book of Numbers is also called “Birkat Cohanim.” The priests would spread their fingers to make a “V” shape (a la Leonard Nimoy from Star Trek — he was a Cohan!) and bless the people. These words offer blessings of protection, grace and peace and were thought to have such power that archaeological findings reveal people wore this prayer in an amulet around their necks and were buried with it.

 

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