“And they shall place My name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:27). “And they shall place My name” – this tells that they are blessed with the ineffable Name. Is it, perhaps, that even in the outlying areas they will be blessed with the ineffable Name? The verse states: “And they shall place My name,” and elsewhere it is stated: “To cause My name to dwell” (Nehemiah 1:9).
Just as elsewhere it is the Temple, here too it is the Temple. However, when the corrupt men increased, they then began entrusting the Name only to the circumspect in the priesthood. Rabbi Tarfon said: There was an incident where I and my brethren the priests were in a line, and I inclined my ear toward the High Priest, and I heard that he recited it in the midst of the intoning of the priests.44That High Priest was circumspect, as he was careful to ensure that God’s name would not be casually overheard.
Or, perhaps, in the Temple they recite the blessing but they do not recite the blessing in the outlying areas? It said: “In every place I mention My name, [I will come to you and I will bless you]” (Exodus 20:21) – even in the outlying areas. However, in the outlying areas one recites three blessings, and in the Temple one blessing. In the Temple, one recites the Name as it is written; in the outlying areas with its appellation.
In the outlying areas they lift their hands to the level of their shoulders, but in the Temple, over their heads. “And I will bless them” – why is it stated? Because it is stated: “So you shall bless the children of Israel” (Numbers 6:23), I have derived only a blessing for Israel; for proselytes, for women, and for slaves, from where is it derived? The verse states: “And I will bless them.”
Is it, perhaps, that if the priests wish to bless Israel they get blessed, but if not, they do not get blessed? The verse states: “And I will bless them,” so the priests will not say: We will bless Israel. The verse states: “And I will bless them” – I will bless My people. Likewise it says: “For the Lord your God has blessed you…” (Deuteronomy 15:6).
The priests bless Israel; who blesses the priests? The verse states: "And I will bless them” – the priests bless Israel, and I bless both these and those. That is, “and I will bless them.”