Past Perfect: Blessings

In the Torah we find that blessings and lack of them are a cause of controversy and bitter rivalry.

By BEREL WEIN
Everyone wishes to be blessed. Therefore people flock to perceived great and holy personages to receive blessings from them. The Talmud teaches us that a blessing even from a common and not especially noteworthy person is also not to be treated lightly. In the Torah we find that blessings and lack of them are a cause of controversy and bitter rivalry. Ishmael and Isaac, Jacob and Esau competed for their fathers' blessings. The sons of Jacob received individual and differing blessings (and admonitions as well) from their father on his deathbed. Moses departs from the Torah and the Jewish people with blessings to all the different tribes (except for Simeon). King David blesses the Jewish people upon his entry into Jerusalem and his son, King Solomon, delivers a long blessing oration at the dedication of the First Temple. Ezra and Nehemiah bless the Jewish people at the beginning of the Second Temple era. The Talmud is replete with instances of blessing from one generation to the next, from teacher to student, even from stranger to stranger. There is a strong strain within Judaism that believes that blessings given by human beings to other human beings have positive influence even in heaven. Apparently goodwill expressed on earth between humans creates a climate that allows goodness and blessings to descend more easily from heaven. Because of this belief it has become customary (in some circles it is mandatory) to attempt to obtain blessings from noted and respected people at many occasions during one's lifetime. In the hassidic community, one does not embark on a life-changing event without first obtaining the blessing of one's rebbe or mentor. This is now true even in the Lithuanian yeshiva world and certainly in Sephardi society. In short, blessings from one human being to another are an integral part of Jewish life and tradition. Judaism is a matter of proper values and balance in life. Therefore any overt and extreme reliance on blessings of humans, no matter how great and holy the personage may be, is contrary to the balanced view of life that Torah preaches. A man once approached the venerable and sainted Hafetz Haim, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, and asked him for a blessing that a certain venture upon which he was embarking succeed. The Hafetz Haim said to him: "I don't understand your logic in this matter of asking me for a blessing. It is analogous to one pauper asking another poverty-stricken person for a generous donation. Why don't you ask the one most wealthy of all [the Lord] directly for His donation and blessing?" Judaism always feared the introduction of intermediaries between God and humans. One may certainly ask for a blessing from a holy person (or any other person for that matter) but that is a matter of goodwill and not one of certainty. Though in the words of the Talmud the righteous can command and heaven fulfills that command, nevertheless it is only God's blessings that are reliable without doubt or exception. Judaism demands that one come to terms with God and not substitute humans for the necessary relationship with God. Maimonides posits that this was the fundamental error of paganism and idolatry. The original star worshipers knew there was a God but thought that the way to worship Him was by worshipping what He had created. Judaism affords no room for any types of intermediaries. Blessings administered by humans create a more serene atmosphere in human society. Harsh words and bitter statements poison our society. The rabbis of the Mishna and the Talmud admonished all to greet others, Jews and non-Jews alike, with pleasant countenance and words of blessing. The universal and ubiquitous Jewish greeting of "shalom aleichem" - peace be unto you - is one of our most ancient forms of blessing. Thus giving or receiving words of blessing from one human being to another is itself a blessing to those involved and to society generally. It matters little if the actual words of blessing are truly fulfilled and enacted in one's life. It matters greatly that such words of blessing are uttered with true intent and conviction. We have an idiom that is common in English that reflects this truism. When we meet someone, we inquire of that person "What's the good word?" The "good word" is always one of blessing, assurance and hope. So it is obvious that blessings and words of blessing are truly important in our personal and general lives. That is why Rosh Hashana is always ushered in with sincere words of blessing. And so may it continue to be. The writer is a noted scholar, historian, speaker and educator. www.rabbiwein.com