The priestly blessing or priestly benediction, (Hebrew: ברכת כהנים; translit. birkat kohanim), also known as raising of the hands (Hebrew nesiat kapayim), or Dukhanen (from the Yiddish word dukhan - platform - because the blessing is given from a raised rostrum), is a Jewish prayer recited by Kohanim during certain Jewish services. It is based on a scriptural verse: "They shall place My name upon the children of Israel, and I Myself shall bless them." It consists of the following Biblical verses (Numbers 6:24–26):
- May the L (YHWH) bless you and guard you -
- יְבָרֶכְךָ יהוה, וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ
- ("Yebhārēkh-khā Adhōnāy weyishmerēkhā ...)
- May the L make His face shed light upon you and be gracious unto you -
- יָאֵר יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וִיחֻנֶּךָּ
- ("Yāʾēr Adhōnāy pānāw ēlekhā wiḥunnékkā ...)
- May the L lift up His face unto you and give you peace -
- יִשָּׂא יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם
- ("Yissā Adhōnāy pānāw ēlekhā wiyāsēm lekhā shālōm.")
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