Torah Reading: Balak

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Under the Prayer Shawl

by Yishai Fleisher

Secrets of the Priestly Blessing

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Published: October 9, 2011

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Visitor Comments: 14

(13) Anonymous, April 3, 2013 1:25 AM

Under the Prayer Shawl

Beautiful. I don't even have Jewish lineage and I was moved !
Thank you for this very interesting Video.

(12) Tamar Lea, October 3, 2012 1:27 AM

Seemingly missing rabbinic guide

as much as it's appreciated to have such a nice insight... 1) as respect for g-d's name we only say ado-nay in prayers 2) filming the women might have been a little inconsiderate of their zniut.. i always get annoyed when men come into the women's section in the synagogue 3) as far as i know, this blessing is recited in yom tov so actually you are not allowed to record it.

(11) raizi- hillels sister, February 17, 2012 4:53 PM

great important video to get out to everyone !!

beautiful !! i want to send it out to every community in america i am in texas now and i see how much they are thirsting for ruchaniyut like this !!

(10) Anonymous, October 12, 2011 6:45 AM

Very moving to see the Priestly Blessings.... thank you for doing this for all of us. It made me feel like I was right there...

(9) Shari, October 11, 2011 7:38 PM

Beshana haze biYerushalayim

Thank you for showing this. I've been wanting to go for years, especially since my husband is a Kohain, but we haven't made it there yet. Next time in Yerushalayim.

(8) Chaya, October 11, 2011 12:28 PM

You missed something important

Thank you for this presentation. It certainly did a good job of reminding us that this "Priestly" blessing is "in the bible". But... it left out the most powerful pieces of all - These beautiful words of blessing came from the mouth of HaShem himself! This blessing is written (in English bibles) at Numbers 6:24, 25 & 26 but read in context (Five short verses from 22 thru 27) it's THRILLING. Did you read it? Do you get it? The Holy One of Israel Himself wants the Jewish people to know what His heart's desire is for us. Those words of blessing are HIS words and no less powerful than those which spoke the world into being. They are meant to give us courage in adversity; confidence to do what must be done and peace of mind in knowing we are not alone in an world that seems to have lost its moral compass. In the middle of all the insanity surrounding us we have his spoken reassurance that He watching over us, that He will keep us and He give us peace. Not necessarily political peace but something which can be far more valuable - peace of heart. Peace of mind. My husband and I remind each other of this daily by repeating His incredible words for Kol Israel to one another every morning. Throughout the day we look for blessings. Because we look for them, we find them. Sometimes they are just for us, sometimes they are in doing or giving a kindness to another. Other times we recognize the blessing of having lived one more day in this beautiful earth even with all the troubles it has. That, I think, counts as a great blessing.

(7) ruth housman, October 11, 2011 11:44 AM

In Jerusalem!

This is beautifully moving and powerful. Thank you for making this wonderful video. The words do Sing Out! I was in a place of music and noticed a sponsor and the name is SCION, and I think it's a car, but have not checked. But the two words are just so alike, aren't they: SCION and ZION, and the music was the music of George Thorogood, and I was thinking, Thorough Good, and there are many ways to bless and be blessed, and this place, of music, called House of Blues, has a motto which is: I'm on a mission from G_d, and within this place of music are emblems, including the Star of David, from all religions and all cultures, a true coming together. I am saying, the world is going to Come Together, as in All Togerther NOW, and that women, so beautifully also portrayed in this video, have beautiful voices that need to express themselves in Judaism and beyond. There is a story that is the music running contrapuntal to ALL of our lives, and that story, is deeply contained within all names and naming and it's ineffably beautiful, ineffably Intelligent, and one day we will all come to Jerusalem, holding hands, singing and dancing, and celebrating an ancient Promise that does involve us all. Make no mistake here. This symphony, this entire symphony, has a conductor!

yocheved, October 12, 2011 2:53 PM

Ruth your poetic comment enhanced my appreciation of the video!

Ruth - You demonstrated that there is a musical and poetic side of social networking communication. Like an exchange in a museum between observers of a painting - the sharing of thoughts on art and film presented through computers can be refined and inspiring! We always have a choice. I appreciate your contribution to taking the experience of internet higher. Chag Sameach - Yocheved

(6) Simcha Ezra, October 10, 2011 11:44 PM

What a powerful piece

Would LOVE to see more by this Ari fellow. Fantastically moving piece and great cinematography. Very well done!

(5) Anonymous, October 10, 2011 7:23 PM

I wish i was there!

(4) Richard Allinger, October 10, 2011 6:18 PM

Peace

Please continue to pray that "peace" be given a chance. '

(3) MF, October 10, 2011 8:38 AM

THANK YOU! Now give us more

LOVED IT. Can you bring us more, Yishai Fleisher? It's so nice to be connected to Israel through this video. Maybe I'll come to the blessing next year...

(2) Saul Pillai, October 10, 2011 1:24 AM

Voices across the Generations

Thank you for this video. Enjoyed it tremendously and when the Birkat Kohanim was chanted, it felt as though I was hearing the voices of the Jewish people from across the generations chanting it and having faith in the generous providence of HaShem. One suggestion I would like to make. When the blessing was written in Hebrew with the English translation, I would have preferred the narrator to have read out the Hebrew portion a little slower and more clearly in pronunciation. It would be a great help for many who don’t speak Hebrew as an everyday language. Once again thank you for this video. SHALOM

(1) Sharon, October 9, 2011 4:41 PM

Thanks for the sneak peak

I've lived in Israel for the 27 years and have not yet made it to the kotel for Birkat Kohanim. Thanks for the opportunity to see it. Our own shul in Rehovot boasts around 15 kohanim every shabbat. So we are blessed.

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About the Author

Yishai Fleisher

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Yishai Fleisher is the founder of Kumah (www.kumah.org), a grassroots pro-Aliyah organization, and a broadcaster at Galey Yisrael - 106.5 FM in Israel.