The Aaronic Blessing
The Aaronic Blessing, also known as the Priestly Blessing or Birkat Kohanim (בִּרְכַּת כֹּהֲנִים), is one of the most well-known and cherished passages in the Hebrew Bible. Found in Numbers 6:24-26, it is a three-part blessing delivered by Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites.
THE LESSONS
Meet Your Instructor
Andre Moubarak
Andre Moubarak is the owner and founder of Twins Tours & Travel Ltd. in Israel. Born into a Christian family along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem’s Christian Quarter, Andre is a licensed tour guide and an ordained minister, leading numerous groups through the Holy Land each year and teaching them about the Aramaic/Jewish roots of Jesus.
The first video of this course is free, you can buy this course to see all the videos.
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Cultural and Historical Context:
The Aaronic Blessing was given directly by God to Moses, instructing Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel. This marked the priestly role as not just intermediaries in sacrifices, but also conveyors of divine favor.
In the Temple, the blessing was pronounced daily. Today, it is recited in Jewish liturgy during synagogue services, weddings, and other significant ceremonies.
The tripartite structure reflects increasing layers of divine blessing: material well-being (blessing and protection), spiritual enlightenment (grace and presence), and ultimate wholeness (peace).
Theological Significance:
Covenantal Relationship: The blessing reaffirms God’s covenant with Israel, promising care, grace, and peace.
Divine Favor: God's “face” shining upon someone symbolizes His favor and presence, crucial in ancient Near Eastern contexts.
Shalom as the Ultimate Blessing: The culmination of the blessing is "shalom," encompassing well-being, harmony, and completeness—central to the Hebrew concept of a blessed life.