Tolna Rebbe Shlita
HKB”H commands Moshe to tell the kohanim, "כה תברכו את בני ישראל” – So shall you bless the Children of Israel” (Bamidbar 6:23), and proceeds to present the text of birkas kohanim. The Midrash (Bereishis Rabba 43:8) cites Rabbi Nechemya as drawing a connection between the word כה in this pasuk and the word כה used in a much different context – the story of akeidas Yitzchak. Avraham Avinu told Eliezer and Yishmael, who were traveling with him: שבו לכם פה עם החמור ואני והנער נלכה עד כה ונשתחווה ונשובה עליכם. Remain here with the donkey, while I and the lad will go on to this place; we will bow and return to you. (Bereishis 22:5)
What connection might there be between Avraham’s remark to Eliezer and Yishmael, and the beracha which the kohanim bestow upon Bnai Yisrael? Avraham Avinu did not need to elaborate and explain to Eliezer and Yishmael what he would be doing. It would have been enough for him to simply tell them, “Stay here with the donkey,” without explaining that he and Yitzchak would be going further and would then be returning. But Avraham treated all people with dignity and respect, even his servant Eliezer and the sinful Yishmael, and so he patiently explained them in a respectful way what he would be doing. The Midrash reveals to us that this quality of Avraham Avinu is what made Am Yisrael worthy of birkas kohanim for all generations. When a person shows consideration to all people, no matter who they are, and feels what is in their hearts, then he becomes worthy of all goodness in the world. And if Avraham Avinu acted this way towards lowly people such as Yishmael and Eliezer, then certainly we must act this way towards our fellow Jews, the children of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov, and respect their feelings and ensure not to hurt them in any way. We will then earn all the beautiful blessings of birkas kohanim and be protected from all harm .
