The priestly blessing or priestly benediction, (Hebrew: ברכת כהנים; translit. birkat kohanim), also known as raising of the hands (Hebrew nesiat kapayim), or Dukhanen (from the Yiddish word dukhan - platform - because the blessing is given from a raised rostrum), is a Jewish prayer recited by Kohanim during certain Jewish services. It is based on a scriptural verse: "They shall place My name upon the children of Israel, and I Myself shall bless them." It consists of the following Biblical verses (Numbers 6:24–26):
- May the L (YHWH) bless you and guard you -
- יְבָרֶכְךָ יהוה, וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ
- ("Yebhārēkh-khā Adhōnāy weyishmerēkhā ...)
- May the L make His face shed light upon you and be gracious unto you -
- יָאֵר יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וִיחֻנֶּךָּ
- ("Yāʾēr Adhōnāy pānāw ēlekhā wiḥunnékkā ...)
- May the L lift up His face unto you and give you peace -
- יִשָּׂא יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם
- ("Yissā Adhōnāy pānāw ēlekhā wiyāsēm lekhā shālōm.")
Read more about Priestly Blessing: Biblical Source, In Hebrew Law and Custom, When Performed, Procedure, Pop Culture, See Also
Famous quotes containing the words priestly and/or blessing:
“Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.”
—Gore Vidal (b. 1925)
“Our Germany’s dead. However hard this may be for some of us older people, it’s a blessing for our children. Our children grew up against new backgrounds, new horizons. And they are free. Free to grow up as children. Free to run and to laugh without being forced into uniforms. Without being forced to march up and down streets, singing battle songs.”
—Emeric Pressburger (1902–1988)