Kohein Blessing and Love

The ברכת כהנים, which is recited approximately 450 times a year in Israel, and less than fifteen times outside of Israel, is a remarkable ceremony. The Kohanim are chosen to bless the nation with love, that they be granted material success, that their eyes be enlightened that they overcome their תאוות, lusts, and that HaShem should remove His כעס, anger at us. He should lift His face upon us and bring us peace. These are the three blessings that comprise the ברכת כהנים. It is interesting that love represents an important part of this ceremony. Therefore, a Kohein who is despised by his community, must not “Duchan”, do the Priestly blessing. In the section in the Shulchan Aruch that lists things that we must not do that endanger our health, a hated Kohein is included as one who is endangering his health by insisting in blessing his community. One of the things that makes ברכת כהנים so remarkable, is that love is such an important factor.