Thousands of Israelis and tourists have poured into the square at the Wailing Wall to hear the ancient prayer that dates back to the time of the First Temple – about 1000 BCE. The Torah commands that the Jewish Priests or Cohanim who ran the Temple bless the people…

 

Today it is the descendents of the Jewish Priests -- many who still have the last name Cohen – who recite the priestly blessing. With prayer shawls covering their heads, they raise their hands and recite 3 blessings over the Jewish people: that God should protect them, be gracious towards them and establish peace. Israel's chief Sephardic Rabbi, Shlomo Amar, participated in the prayer service as well as the chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger… The priestly blessing is said in synagogue prayer services, but its public recitation in Israel during the holidays of Sukkot and Passover began in the 60s and is seen as a powerful way to beseech God for good tidings…

 

The origin of the priestly blessing comes from the Book of Numbers where Aaron, a Cohen, and his sons are instructed to bless the Israelites…One Rabbinic interpretation says Aaron's love for his brother Moses – instead of jealousy – is why God gave Cohens the holy ability to  bless the Jewish people. Amulets with the priestly blessings written on them were found in Jewish graves dating back more than 2,500 years. It's the oldest biblical text ever found by archeologists. They're on display at Jerusalem's Israel Museum. 

 

Source: JN1