THE AARONIC BLESSING - by Shon Cunningham
1. It is found in Numbers 6:24-26
2. It was spoken over the people by the priests at the Tabernacle, then later at the Temple. (Num.6:23)
3. God promises to bless His people when this blessing is spoken over them. (Num.6:27)
4. The priests would form the letter "Shin" with their hands and fingers when reciting the blessing. The Shin stands for the "Sh" sound in El Shaddai (God Almighty).
5. According to tradition, the Divine Presence would shine through the priests fingers as they were reciting the blessing.
6. For this reason, no one was allowed to look at the priests hands out of awe of the Creator.
7. During the second Temple period, the priest whose lot was cast to light the altar of incense that day had the honor of leading the blessing. This was the duty of Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, on the day he was visited by the angel. Making it significant that he could not speak. (Luke 1:5-22)
8. Also called the "Lifting of the hands," it is likely that Yeshua (Jesus) spoke it over the disciples before He ascended to heaven. (Luke 24:50)
9. The Aaronic Blessing is the oldest piece of Scripture we have. It was found on an amulet dating between 700-650 BCE.
10. The blessing is traditionally spoken over the children on Friday night before the Shabbat meal.
11. Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock), who was Jewish, actually patterned the Vulcan salute after the Aaronic Blessing using one hand instead of both.
