The Priestly Blessing: 15 Words

After the 15 values in time, space, matter and the steps of the sanctuary, the course presents them in divine service.

Quote from the Rav: “These 15 values will be highlighted by the divine blessing that will grant them to us through a triple priestly blessing.”

יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ: “May the Eternal bless you and keep you” (3 words). יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ: “May the Eternal make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you” (5 words). יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם: “May the Eternal turn His face toward you and grant you peace” (7 words).

The three blessings grow by 2: 3, then 3 + 2 = 5, then 5 + 2 = 7. They contain 3 Names of G-d (יהוה) crowned by 12 other words: 3 + 12 = 15.

According to the course, the divine blessing is abundance in time, space and matter. There are on average 5 words of blessing for each dimension.

1st blessing (3 words): the time vector (past-present-future). 2nd (5 words): the space vector (the 5 senses). 3rd (7 words): the matter vector (the 7 days of creation).

The Name יהוה appears 3 times in the Birkat Kohanim: 26 × 3 = 78, plus 12 other words of blessing.

Why 15 words? According to the course, they correspond to the 15 non-metallic elements, the brain of creation. Just as these 15 elements direct the 71 metallic elements, the Birkat Kohanim in 15 words directs our life in the 3 dimensions.

3 verses for 3 dimensions; 3 Divine Names; 15 words; progression by 2; time, space and matter covered.

“These 15 values will be highlighted, particularly by the divine blessing that will grant them to us through a triple priestly blessing articulated in three names of G-d crowned by 12 words. This gives us a total of 15 words for the Birkat Kohanim.” (Rav David Menashe zatsal)