BLESSING AND NACHAS

   Mimi and I are truly blessed as we celebrate with our children Beth and Yitzchak, the Bar Mitzvah of their wonderful and loving son Akiva. It is a blessing of Hashem, for grandparents to participate in the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson.  It is a blessing that we do not take for granted, and one that we cherish daily. 

   To our Bar Mizvah boy whom we love very dearly, please remember these words of blessing, words that will bring you much success as you grow into manhood;

 "Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses 

  Focus on your character, not your reputation.

  Focus on your blessings, not your misfortunes.
  At all times embrace your blessings, and make every today worth remembering.” 

   These words are so important to assure life is worth living and gives life a meaningful direction, that will bring honor to mankind and honor to G-D. 

   It is in this light, that this week's Parsha Shimini, speaks of the dedication of the Mishkan, wherein the Torah states,וישא אהרון את ידיו אל העם ויברכם,"And Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them".  

  Rashi explains, "This Blessing was the Birkas Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing."

  The Birkas Kohanim has a very special meaning for the Jewish People, as a nation. It is a blessing that is to be absolute and unconditional. As we study the Hebrew words of the Bracha, we notice that even though the blessing is for the entire nation, the words are in the singular form. This expresses an amazing idea in Judaism. Though we are a nation of many, we must see ourselves as one integrated whole, as "One Persona". 

  Achieving this unity we can then be confident that the last part of the Bracha וישם לך שלום, Hashem will bless our nation with peace, will be forthcoming.              Peace can only prosper if we see our nation as one integrated whole, with brotherly love extended to each other, leading us on the path of becoming a true עם אחד, under the rubric of our strong belief of הי אחד ושמו אחד. 

   With this אחדות, we can face any adversary that may step in the path of our nations success, and thereby assuring a brighter future for our Jewish Nation. 

   This is our lesson for our Akiva, but it is even more so a message for our people's survival. Our future is a glorious one if we continue to have love in our hearts and compassion in our deeds. 

    These attributes are to be transmitted to our children and grandchildren, as the Torah states;

 " והודעתם לבניך ולבני בניך" "Teach and make known the ways of our Torah to your children and to your grandchildren." This is truly one of the most important  Mitzvot of the Torah, a Mitzvah of והודעתם, of transmitting our Ways of Torah to the next generation. Our survival depends on the success and the strength of our Mesorah's  influence on our next generation. 

    Let us continue to emulate G-D's ways of 

אהבת עולם ואהבה רבה,which will then herald the time of the coming of our Mashiach in our time. 

    

Mazal Tov to our children and to all our grandchildren and to all our Machatanim, and may we always celebrate S'machot in our family and for K'lal Yisrael, for many years to come.