Why the Priestly Blessing Has Sixty Letters Like Solomon's Warriors

Another interpretation of (Numbers 6:23): THUS SHALL YOU BLESS. This is what Scripture says (Song of Songs 3:7): BEHOLD, IT IS THE BED OF SOLOMON, WITH SIXTY MIGHTY MEN AROUND IT. And what did Solomon see fit to occupy himself with a bed, that he said BEHOLD, IT IS HIS BED? Rather, he occupied himself only with the King to whom peace belongs. BEHOLD, IT IS HIS BED, this is the Temple. And why was the Temple likened to a bed? Rather, just as this bed is only for being fruitful and multiplying, so too the Temple: whatever was within it was fruitful and multiplied, as it is said (1 Kings 8:8): AND THE POLES GREW LONG. And it says (2 Chronicles 3:6): AND THE GOLD WAS THE GOLD OF PARVAIM, for it produced fruit. And likewise it says (1 Kings 7:2): AND HE BUILT THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. Why was it likened to a forest? Just as a forest is fruitful and multiplies, so too the Temple: whatever was within it was fruitful and multiplied. Therefore it is said: BEHOLD, IT IS HIS BED. (Song of Songs 3:7) WITH SIXTY MIGHTY MEN, these are the sixty letters that are in the priestly blessing. (Song of Songs 3:8) ALL OF THEM GRASPING THE SWORD, for in each and every one the name of the Holy One is mentioned: THE LORD BLESS YOU; THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE; THE LORD LIFT UP (Numbers 6:24–26). (Song of Songs 3:8) EACH WITH HIS SWORD UPON HIS THIGH, what reason did the thigh have to be mentioned here? Rather, even if a person sees in his dream the drawn sword set upon his neck and cutting off his thigh, he rises early in the morning and goes to the synagogue. (Song of Songs 3:8) BECAUSE OF FEAR AT NIGHT, because of the fear that he saw at night in his dream; and he sees the priests raising their hands, and the bad dream is annulled from him. Therefore it is said: BECAUSE OF FEAR AT NIGHT. Therefore the Holy One said to Moses: Caution Aaron and his sons that they bless My children, as it is said (Numbers 6:23): THUS SHALL YOU BLESS [THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL].