Bircas Kohanim / The Priestly Blessings

Only one vestige remains of the ancient Temple Service: on every festival in the Diaspora and every day in Israel, the descendants of the priestly tribe, the Kohanim, stand before their brethren and raise outstretched hands in blessing. Thirty-three centuries ago, Aaron, the first High Priest, bestowed his loving blessing upon Israel. The same formula, the same family, the same love, the same extended priestly hands - all these became eternal commandmnets, recalling the sacred solemnity of Israel's induction as the people chosen to carry the burden of holiness.