Blessed, always

The Priestly Blessing is one of those timeless prayers that feels comforting no matter when or where you hear it. “May G-d bless you and guard you” is how it begins. On the surface, it sounds like a straightforward wish for good things and safety, but when you dig a little deeper, there’s a lot more to it.

The first part, “May G-d bless you,” is about giving you what you need—money, health, happiness, or whatever else you’re hoping for. Then comes “and guard you.” This might seem unnecessary at first. If G-d is already blessing you, why would you need extra protection? Shouldn’t a blessing from G-d be enough?

Think of it like this: if someone gives you an amazing gift, say a beautiful watch, it’s officially yours. But if you’re not careful, you could misplace it, or it might get stolen. It’s the same with blessings. Even when G-d gives us wonderful things, life can throw challenges our way—mistakes, bad decisions, or unexpected difficulties. That’s why the second part of the blessing is so important. “Guard you” is G-d’s promise to help you hold onto what you’ve been given, no matter what.

The final part of the blessing, “May He grant you peace,” ties it all together. Peace might seem like an afterthought, but really, it’s the key to everything. Without peace, even the greatest blessings can feel incomplete. Imagine winning the lottery but then finding yourself stressed out over how to manage all that money or dealing with fights in your family about what to do with it. Suddenly, what should have been a dream come true feels like a burden. Peace is what allows blessings to truly be blessings. It’s what keeps them from overwhelming us or causing harm.

There’s a story in the Talmud about a sage named Choni who prayed for rain during a drought. When the rain finally came, it was so heavy that it caused flooding and destruction. Choni had to pray again, asking G-d to ease up because the blessing of rain had become too much for people to handle. This is why peace is so important—it makes sure that the good we receive is manageable and enriching, not overwhelming.

In our daily lives, this ancient blessing has a lot to teach us. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress and challenges of everyday life and overlook the blessings we already have. Maybe it’s the food on your table, the people who care about you, or even the simple fact that you woke up this morning. Recognizing these blessings is the first step to appreciating them. But blessings aren’t automatic. They need care and attention to thrive. If you have good health, you have to work to maintain it. If you’re lucky enough to have strong relationships, you need to nurture them. G-d provides the gifts, but it’s up to us to take care of them.

And then there’s peace. It’s not just about avoiding arguments or conflict; it’s about creating balance in your life. That might mean setting boundaries, making time for the things and people that matter, or just finding a quiet moment to recharge. Peace is what lets you fully enjoy the good in your life without being distracted by fear, stress, or tension.

The Priestly Blessing is also personal. It’s not just a generic prayer for everyone—it’s for you. When the Kohanim recite it, it’s as if G-d is looking right at you and saying, “I see you. I care about you. I’m giving you what you need, and I’m making sure you can hold onto it.”

Life is unpredictable, full of highs and lows. This blessing reminds us that, even in the chaos, G-d is with us, helping us find our way. It’s a simple yet powerful message: recognize your blessings, do your best to protect them, and strive for peace. That’s how we can truly embrace the good in our lives.