בס”ד
Parashat Nasso

In this week’s Torah portion we read one of the most famous passages in the Bible:

“HaShem spoke to Moses saying, Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: So shall you bless the Children of Israel saying to them: May the L-rd bless you and keep you. May the L-rd make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the L-rd lift up His face unto you and place upon you peace. And they shall put My Name upon the Children of Israel and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27

This section is known as the Priestly Blessings. The outcome of these blessings is what I would like to emphasize. The last verse says that through these blessings that the Priests will place the “Name” of the L-rd on the Children of Israel. It is important that the reader understand that in the Scriptures, the concept of a “name” is synonymous with character. Therefore the true blessing from the L-rd is that His character is placed upon His people. This is what true spirituality is!

When one experiences redemption by means of the Gospel, G-d establishes a personal relationship with that individual through His Spirit. One of the results of this is that
G-d begins to live in that person’s life. In essence that person’s life becomes hidden by the L-rd who begins to control that person’s thoughts and actions so that it is no longer the individual who is living but G-d Himself through this person.

Although the Priests would say these words, more important than this was their calling to demonstrate with their own lives the reality of G-d living through them. One priest who truly exemplified this was the son of Zachariah from the family of Aviyah named John. It was John who said,

“He (the L-rd) must become more and I must become less” Jn. 3:30

John was correct and knew that in order to serve G-d that his wants, desires, and dreams must be set aside and he must embrace the will of his Heavenly Father. John submitted to this and this is why Yeshua said concerning him,

“I tell you the truth, among those that are born of women there has not risen one greater than John…” Matt. 11:11a

It is only when you and I desire to be used by G-d and we submit to Him that others can see Him living in our lives. When we do this, G-d’s character becomes our character and we manifest His Glory and we truly become a blessing to others. Even though you and I may not be from the priestly lineage, when we do this we fulfill the Scriptures,

“You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” Ex. 19:6

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should manifest the praises of Him, Who has called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light.” 2Pet. 2:9
Shabbat Shalom