“And Aaron lifted up his hands towards the people and blessed them.” (Lev. 9:22)
In Parshas Shmini, Aaron blessed the people of Israel immediately upon finishing the service of the offering in dedication of the Mishkan.
Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch asks what the connection is between these two acts (the offering and the blessing). Furthermore, the word used for “hands” is spelled without the second “yud” – not ידיו, but rather, ידו.
He suggests that the Priestly Blessing is not a separate deed in and of itself. The blessing is ineffective if performed alone. Only when offerings are brought by the people of Israel as a unit does the Priestly Benediction take effect. In addition, no power was invested in the hands of the kohanim. “His hands” in the verse are missing the second letter “yud” to signify that the blessing is coming directly from G-d, not from the kohen.
RABBI CHANOCH YERES
