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 This week we will conclude our count of the Omer period as we prepare spiritually for the festival of Shavuot. In the synagogue this Shabbat, we will read about the blessing with which God instructed Aaron and his descendants, known as Kohanim, to bless the Children of Israel. These pristine words have been preserved and are to be found on the tips of our tongues since we recite them daily in our prayers and they are the very words we use to bless our children each Friday night.
The beauty of this blessing is in its universality. We recognize that a blessing for one individual may be a nightmare for another. For example, the athlete and the postman have a different definition of "good weather" than the farmer and the snow plow operator.
I am reminded of a movie, Bruce Almighty, were the protagonist was given the opportunity to be God for just one week. He quickly realized that granting prayer requests was not easy and found that many people pray for outcomes that diametrically oppose one another.
The prayer, known as the Priestly Blessing, applies to the entire Nation of Israel - the young as much as the old and the rich, the same as the poor and the devout as much as those confused and in search of meaning. From the same word formulation, each individual can derive a personally meaningful blessing.
In this way, we are like one nation with one heart, as we declare on Shavuot, "Na'aseh V'nishma, we will do and we will listen." This is an acknowledgement that we collectively accept the Torah of Moses and intend to infuse our lives with its values and wisdom in ways that we personally find appropriate and meaningful.
This evening, by praying these words with our families, we connect with our greater family, the Jewish People, and with our tradition spanning thousands of years. At the same time, we recognize that as generic as the phrases sound, they take on specific meanings and offer comfort and hope based on our individual points of reference. Our personal upbringing and education, or simply the events of the past week or day, inform how we derive from each verse a message that is personally relevant and timely:
"May God bless you and safeguard you."
This statement could be exceedingly meaningful in different ways. While some might be asking to be kept safe from danger, others are asking to remain in God's good graces. Some will have good health in mind and others financial stability.
"May God shine His face upon you and be gracious to you."
While some long to feel God's presence in their lives and have a pleasant week, others yearn for something specific to turn out in their favor this week.
"May God turn His face to you and establish peace for you."
We may be asking for inner satisfaction or reconciliation and harmony to be restored among our close family and friends. Some may have in mind love across all denominations of Jews, and others pray for Israel to live in tranquility with her neighbors.
Whatever it is that you are praying for tonight, know that you are joined by countless other Jewish families around the world, uttering the same ancient words and asking for the same precious gift, the blessing of peace.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Steve Suson
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