Priestly Blessing
The Priestly Blessing, (Hebrew: Birkat Kohanim), also known in Hebrew as Nesiat Kapayim, (lit. Raising of the Hands), 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 Lord bless you and guard you.
May the Lord shine His countenance toward you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.
The source of the text is Numbers 6:23-27, where Aaron and his sons bless the Israelites with this blessing.
This is the oldest known Biblical text that has been found; amulets with these verses written on them have been found in graves in dating from the First Temple Period, and are now in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
Various interpretations of these verses connect them to the three Patriarchs; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, or to three attributes of God; Mercy, Courage, and Glory.
I shot the image during Birkat Kohanim at the Western Wall Jerusalem, Passover April 22 2008.
It’s a new tradition that every Passover there is a mass ceremony of Birkat Chohanim in the Wstern Wall.
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Racheli
Amen! blesses no matter from whom are walways welcome.
Gorgeous capture, glorious.
gothgirl
you have captured such a wonderful atmosphere – it must have been such special occasion
jtaft
such a rare and special capture, i really love this moshe
Sassafras
This is a most special photo of a holy event. Thank you for sharing it.
Peace,
Sassa
julie08
Great shot:)
Eyal Nahmias
Love this shot, well done PS work to emphasize the main subject. A strong emotive image. Thanks for sharing with the art of the Middle East group.
kerendanieli
Love this one. perfect timing, the colors are beautiful, very strong emotions…
Cora Wandel
Fascinating work, Moshe!
Anne-Marie Bok...
woof
beautiful image!!! nice job here!!
CraigsMom
Fabulous shot!!! congrats on your feature!
jenxie
love the spontinaity of the scene, the flow of the garmets, and the sense of anticipation of the older gentleman.
SandraRos
Moshe Cohen replied
Thank you Sandra.
DesImages
Great shot, and thanks for sharing the information. I have learnt something from it.
Sharon Mau
Moshe Cohen replied
Thank you so much Sharon.
F. Magdalene A...
Are the others with white cloth over their heads also men? Are the women separate from men while worshiping at the Wall? As if I haven’t asked enough questions, is the man standing someone of high esteem? I have a ton of other questions but the last one is this, how is the Wall maintained? I mean are there leaders that make sure the Wall is in proper shape so as to be worthy before God?
This is a wonderful photograph. I’m happy to have been able to see it. Thank you for a brief trip to Israel.
Faith-Magdalene
Moshe Cohen replied
Thank you.
The answers to your questions:
1. Are the others with white cloth over their heads also men?
Yes, they are men, there is a separation between men and women in the wastern wall.
2. Are the women separate from men while worshiping at the Wall?
Yes, the area in front the wall is separated to 2, one for men and the other for women.
3. is the man standing someone of high esteem?
I don’t really know, I think no, beacuase the men around him, ignored him.
4. how is the Wall maintained? I mean are there leaders that make sure the Wall is in proper shape so as to be worthy before God?
There is a sepcial institute that take care of this things. One of the things they do is to take out all the the notes people put between the walls.
If you have more questions you are welcome to ask.
stelo
Beautiful image!
Moshe Cohen replied
Thank you stelo.
F. Magdalene A...
Thank you for responding. :-) I appreciated your answers. So I have just one more:
What’s a good website to learn more about the wall and about how and why it’s used as well as any other cultural information concerning the wall.
Moshe Cohen replied
Look here TheKotel.org