Jewish tradition has a name for that: the ayin hara, the evil eye. And according to some fascinating stories, the ancient Israelites were particularly vulnerable to it at pivotal moments in their history.
Think about it: the revelation at Sinai. A moment of unparalleled divine connection, the giving of the Torah itself! But the sheer intensity of that event, the attention it drew, apparently made the Israelites susceptible to the ayin hara of the nations. Ginzberg, in Legends of the Jews, tells us that this malevolent gaze actually played a role in the shattering of the first set of tablets. Can you imagine? Such a sacred event, marred by… envy?
So, what’s the antidote? How do you ward off this spiritual negativity? Well, according to tradition, God provided one through the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. Just as the Tabernacle served to diminish the power of demons, so too, the priestly blessing acted as a shield against the ayin hara.
This blessing, bestowed upon the people before the consecration of the sanctuary, was meant to break the spell, to neutralize the negative energy that might otherwise have harmed them, just as it had (allegedly) at Sinai. It was like a spiritual immune system boost!
And it wasn't just God doing the blessing. Moses, upon the completion of the Tabernacle, also blessed Israel. He said, "The Eternal God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as you are, and bless you, as He hath promised you!" (Deuteronomy 1:11). A powerful invocation of abundance and divine favor.
What was the people's response? They didn't just stand there silently. They actively participated, answering Moses with a heartfelt plea: "Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish Thou the work of our hands upon us; yea the work of our hands establish Thou it" (Psalm 90:17). A double request for God's presence and for success in their endeavors.
It’s a beautiful exchange, isn't it? A reminder that blessings aren't just passive gifts; they require our active participation, our heartfelt response. We need to not only receive the blessing but also to actively invite God's presence into our lives and to dedicate our work to a higher purpose.
So, the next time you feel that uncomfortable feeling of being watched, remember the story of the Tabernacle and the priestly blessing. Remember that even in moments of great vulnerability, there are ways to protect ourselves, to shield ourselves from negativity, and to invite the divine into our lives. Maybe a little blessing is all we need.