This week’s parashah contains one of the most well-known and beloved blessings in all of Scripture—the Priestly Blessing, also known as the Aaronic Blessing. It’s a short passage, yet it holds such rich meaning. In the past, I’ve shared about the beauty of the Hebrew words and how some of that meaning can be lost in translation. But this time, I’d like to reflect more on what the blessing communicates to us as followers of Messiah, and how it connects to the Haftarah portion from Judges.

Here is the blessing as recorded in Numbers 6:24–26, in Hebrew:

יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ יְהוָ֖ה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ׃
יָאֵ֨ר יְהוָ֧ה פָּנָ֛יו אֵלֶ֖יךָ וִיחֻנֶּֽךָ׃
יִשָּׂ֨א יְהוָ֤ה פָּנָיו֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְךָ֖ שָׁלֽוֹם׃

And here is a translation with my own emphasis on certain meanings:
“The LORD bless you, and keep, guard, or watch over you;
The LORD shine His face on you, and educate (disciple) you;
The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.”

God instructed Moses to have Aaron and his sons speak this blessing over the children of Israel. It wasn’t just a ritual—it was a declaration that carried power and purpose.

“The LORD bless you…”

These words remind us of the promise God made to Abraham—that through his seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed. That seed is Yeshua the Messiah. This blessing is a continuation of that promise, pointing us to the source of all true blessing.

“…and keep, guard, or watch over you”

Our protection does not come from the strength of men or the security of circumstances. It comes from the Lord Himself. He is the One who watches over us day and night, guiding and sustaining us as we walk with Him.

“The LORD shine His face on you…”

This phrase speaks volumes in just a few words. It’s not simply about favor—it’s about revelation. In Scripture, the face of God often represents His presence, His nearness, and His willingness to be known. When His face “shines,” it means He is not hiding from us. He is making Himself visible, accessible, and personal.

This reminds me of Isaiah 9:2:

“The people walking in darkness will see a great light...”

That light is Yeshua. He is the radiance of God’s glory—the physical and spiritual manifestation of God’s face turned toward humanity. When we say, “The LORD shine His face on you,” we are speaking of God drawing near to bring light into places of darkness, confusion, or despair.

It is also deeply relational. When someone’s face lights up toward you, it means they are glad to see you. They are for you. This part of the blessing carries that same warmth—God is not far off or indifferent. He is engaged. He is looking at you, not past you.

And light has a purpose: it reveals, exposes, and guides. When God’s face shines on us, it also calls us into alignment. It invites us to walk in the light as He is in the light, to reflect that light to others, and to no longer hide in shadows.

“…and educate (disciple) you”

The Hebrew word used here—וִיחֻנֶּךָ (viychuneka)—is usually translated as “be gracious to you.” While that translation is correct, it doesn’t capture the full richness of the word. This verb shares a root with חִנּוּךְ (chinuch)—which means dedication, education, or training.

In Jewish thought, chinuch is never just about intellectual knowledge. It’s about formation—raising someone into who they are meant to become. In that sense, viychuneka expresses more than grace as comfort; it speaks of grace that forms us. It is the kind of favor that teaches, shapes, and prepares us for a life of holiness and purpose.

When we ask for God to “be gracious,” we’re not only seeking mercy—we’re asking Him to invest in us, to correct us, and to disciple us into maturity. This is the kind of grace that brings transformation, not just relief.

“The LORD lift up His countenance on you…”

This speaks of intimacy—a relationship where the Creator of the universe looks directly upon His creation. It brings to mind the moment in Genesis when God breathed life into Adam. It’s not just a passing glance. It’s personal and intentional.

“…and give you peace.”

The Hebrew word shalom is often translated as “peace,” but its meaning runs far deeper.

Shalom comes from the root ש.ל.ם (shin-lamed-mem), which means completeness, wholeness, or restoration. To have shalom is not just to be free from conflict—it is to be made whole in body, mind, soul, and relationships. It is the fullness of everything being in the right place, at the right time, under the right authority.

This is the kind of peace that only God can give. It is not circumstantial—it doesn’t come and go depending on external situations. It comes from being rightly related to God, restored in our identity, and confident in His presence. Shalom is the echo of Eden and the foretaste of the world to come.

There’s one more part of the Priestly Blessing that sometimes gets left out, but it carries the heart of the entire message:

“So they shall put My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”

While people often focus on the blessing itself—and understandably so—it’s important to see what comes next. The ultimate point of the blessing is not just what we receive from God, but what we become part of because of Him.

God places His Name on us.

That is not only a spiritual benefit—it’s a holy calling. It means we are invited to represent Him in this world, to reflect His ways, and to participate in His redemptive plan. It is both a privilege and a responsibility. We are not just receivers of blessing—we are active partakers in His purpose. What a remarkable honor, to be called by His Name and to walk in His purpose.

The Haftarah portion tells the story of another divine encounter—when the angel of the Lord appears to the barren wife of Manoach and tells her she will give birth to a son, Samson. Like the Priestly Blessing, this moment carries both promise and purpose.

Samson’s birth was not ordinary. He was to be a Nazirite from the womb, set apart for God’s service. This mirrors the idea of God placing His Name on someone—it wasn’t just about the blessing of a child; it was about calling that child to carry a purpose. Just as the priests spoke blessing over the people, God Himself speaks directly to Samson’s mother, showing once again that when He blesses, He also calls, sets apart, and equips.

We see God’s face “shining” through the angel’s appearance. We see His instruction in the commands given to Samson’s mother. We see His desire to bring peace and deliverance to Israel through this child.

It’s a reminder that God's blessings always come with purpose—and that His plans often begin in the quiet, unexpected moments, with people who may feel unqualified or forgotten.

As we read both the Parashah and Haftarah this week, let’s remember that we are not just recipients of blessing—we are carriers of His Name. We are called to reflect His light, to be discipled and to disciple others, and to walk in the shalomthat only He can give.

May His face shine upon you, and may He shine through your life.

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran