Aaron’s Blessing

Aaron's BlessingAaron’s Blessing

One of my favorite blessings is the Aaronic blessing or as it is also known “Aaron’s blessing” found on Numbers 6:24-26. You can learn it and speak it over your family, your house and your friends.

This blessing is traditionally given by a Jewish priest from a raised platform. The priest raises his hands and recites the blessing.

According to the Torah, Aaron blessed the people, and Adonai promised that “I will place my name on their hands” “and bless them“. The Jewish sages stressed that although the priests are the ones carrying out the blessing, it is not them or the ceremonial practice of raising their hands that results in the blessing, but rather it is God’s desire that His blessing should be symbolised by the Kohanim’s hands.

The Aaronic blessing

[May] Adonai bless you, and guard you –
יְבָרֶכְךָ יהוה, וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ
(Yevhārēkh-khā Adhōnāy veyishmerēkhā …)

[May] Adonai make His face shine unto you, and be gracious to you –
יָאֵר יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וִיחֻנֶּךָּ
(“Yāʾēr Adhōnāy pānāw ēlekhā viḥunnékkā …)

[May] Adonai lift up His face unto you, and give to you peace –
יִשָּׂא יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם
(“Yissā Adhōnāy pānāw ēlekhā viyāsēm lekhā shālōm.”)

Listen to it in Hebrew and Portuguese.