Shalom!
Welcome to Clifton Park Chabad Jewish Center! Here at Chabad, you will find a wide array of programming designed to enhance Jewish life in southern Saratoga County. We strive to create an environment where every person is welcome, every individual Mitzvah is cherished, and where Judaism is an accessible reality to all Jews regardless of background, affiliation or age! Through Shabbat Dinners, Holiday events, Jewish Womens circle, Chabad Hebrew school and everything in between, we are cultivating a community together. We look forward to meeting you in person at a Shabbat dinner, Torah class or a casual coffee date.
A year full of growth, smiles and Jewish pride!
Mazal Tov Be strong, be strong, and may we all be strengthened!
Here's a riddle for you: Which prayer requires the presence of certain individuals during services and becomes impossible to recite if they are absent?
The answer is Birkat Kohanim, the priestly blessing! The Kohanim recite this special prayer; naturally, it cannot be said if no Kohanim are present.
Here are some fascinating facts about this Mitzvah:
Excuse me, sir, are you a Kohen? If you answered yes, I have news: you have an important Mitzvah to bless your fellow Jews. If Hashem gave you the Mitzvah to bless others, He also gave you the power of blessings.
What and when: The words of the blessing are contained in three verses in our Parsha:
May G-d bless you and guard you. May G-d shine His countenance upon you and be gracious to you. May G-d turn His countenance toward you and grant you peace.
The Kohanim recite this blessing during the "Amidah" prayer. In Israel, most communities have the tradition of reciting this blessing daily. Outside of Israel, it is primarily recited during biblical holidays (High holidays, Sukkot and Simchat Torah, Passover, and Shavuot).
The Vulcan Salute: Did you know that the priestly blessings inspired the famous Vulcan salute? When the Kohanim bless the congregation, they cover their faces and hands with a Talit. Beneath the Talit, they raise their hands and make a specific hand gesture that inspired the Vulcan.
Have you ever visited a Jewish cemetery and encountered tombstones adorned with pictures of hands on top? These pictures typically symbolize that the deceased was a Kohen.
Special tunes: Various beautiful tunes are associated with the recitation of this blessing, all beautiful in their merit.
Memorable blessings: One of the most famous instances of Birkat Kohanim occurs at the Kotel (Western Wall) during Sukkot and Passover. Hundreds of Kohanim flock to the holy site to say the blessing in unison. This scene has become an attraction, drawing many thousands from all over Israel.
It is a unique experience to listen to the priestly blessing said near where the temple once stood.
In Chassidic teaching: A blessing is essentially a flow of abundance coming to us from above. As this abundance descends, it may encounter obstacles that can slow it down or prevent it from reaching us. The Kohanim are considered "people of peace" and possess the power to bring down this blessing swiftly and without delay.
The ultimate blessing: While mainly designated for the Kohanim, the powerful words of this blessing have become the epitome of blessings among the Jewish people.
May we all see Hashem's blessings in our lives in the most revealed way!
Good Shabbos and Shabbat Shalom!
Light candles at 8:10 pm
Shabbat ends at 9:21 pm