Why the Priests Spread Their Hands in the Blessing

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Nasso 15:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

[THUS SHALL YOU BLESS.] This is what Scripture says (Deuteronomy 26:15): "Look down from Your holy dwelling, from the heavens, and bless Your people." And likewise David says (II Samuel 7:29): "And now may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it be forever before You, etc., and from Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever." The Congregation of Israel said before the Holy One, blessed be He: "Master of the Universe, to the priests You say to bless us, but we need nothing other than Your blessing: 'Look down from Your holy dwelling, from the heavens.'" The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them: "Even though I said to the priests that they should bless you, I am standing with them and blessing you." Therefore the priests spread their hands, to say that the Holy One, blessed be He, is standing behind us. And thus it says (Song of Songs 2:9): "Behold, He stands behind our wall, looking through the windows, peering through the lattices." "Looking through the windows"—from between the fingers of the priests; "peering through the lattices"—at the time when they spread their hands. Therefore it is said: THUS SHALL YOU BLESS.

Themes

Divine PresenceMusicPriesthoodBlessingPrayer

Biblical References

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