by
Rabbi Michael Laitner

Parshat Naso

‘Speak to Aaron and his sons saying, thus shall you bless the Children of Israel; say to them…’ (Bamidbar 6,23)

This and the subsequent four verses are the source for Birkat Cohanim, the Priestly blessings, which emanate from G-d via the conduit of the Cohanim (those of Priestly descent). In fact, non-Cohanim can and do use this blessing, such as parents blessing children on Friday nights, and the Chazan every day in the repetition of the Shacharit Amida. The exclusivity of Cohanim in this regard seems to apply only to duchaning, the special blessing recited in the Diaspora only on Yom Tov (Festivals), according to Ashkenazi custom, but every day in many Israeli communities.

Why do Diaspora communities ‘duchan’ only on Yom Tov? Rabbi Moses Iserlis, the great 16^th century Ashkenazi halachist, in his notes on the Shulchan Aruch (the Code of Jewish Law) explains that Cohanim must be in a state of ‘simcha’ (happiness) in order to perform Birkat Cohanim. The only days which qualify are Yom Tov, when there is a commandment to be in a state of simcha, by enjoying the day to a greater extent than on Shabbat. Even so, on Yom Tov, duchening only takes place in the Musaf prayer, as that is close to the end of the service when congregants will soon be able to enjoy a festive meal and to relax.

Why is the custom different in Israel? The late former Chief Rabbi, Lord Jakobovits, explains that only in Israel, where the Jews are at home, is the simcha such that Birkat Cohanim can take place on a daily basis, in comparison to the fact of exile even in the most welcoming of Diasporas. As Shavuot, the festival of the receiving of the Torah, approaches, we pray that we may be able to learn, understand and apply the Torah, celebrating the simcha of the Land of Israel, speedily in our days.