Parashat Nasso -Take A Census-5785-7 June 2025 / 11 Sivan 5785

Mr. Murthy Gaddi
Jun 5
5 min read

“Parshat Nasso: Lifting the Soul through Purity, Blessing, and Service”

NASSO Parsha Summary:

Levitical Census Continues
- The families of Gershon and Merari are counted and assigned their responsibilities in carrying parts of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
Purification of the Camp
- Individuals who are ritually impure must be removed from the camp to maintain its sanctity.
Confession and Restitution
- One who sins against another must confess and repay the principal plus one-fifth, even if the victim dies without heirs.
Sotah – The Suspected Adulteress
- A woman suspected of infidelity undergoes a divinely ordained test involving sacred water and dust from the Mishkan.
Nazir – The Nazirite Vow
- A person who vows to abstain from wine, avoid contact with the dead, and let their hair grow long for a period of heightened holiness.
Birkat Kohanim – The Priestly Blessing
- The Kohanim are commanded to bless the people with the three-part blessing:“May Hashem bless you and guard you…”
Offerings of the Princes
- The leaders of the twelve tribes bring identical offerings at the dedication of the Mishkan, repeated in full detail for each.

NASO AND THE LIFTING OF BLESSING: THE DEEPER MEANING OF BIRKAT KOHANIM

Here is a Torah-rich exploration of the Priestly Blessing (Birkat Kohanim) in Parshat Nasso, focusing on the deep meanings of the word "Naso" (lift), the symbolism of "lifting the countenance”, and "lifting the palms" (נְשִׂיאַת כַּפַּיִם). The sages explain that lifting the countenance, meaning the face, represents forgiveness — with insights from Jewish sages, including the Zohar, Ramban, Rashi, Sfat Emet, and Talmudic sources:

✨ Birkat Kohanim: Lifting the Countenance, Lifting the Palms

“May Hashem bless you and protect you.May Hashem shine His face toward you and be gracious to you.May Hashem lift His face toward you and grant you peace.”— Numbers 6:24–26

🔠 1. The Root of “Naso” To Lift, To Elevate ,To Forgive

The root נ.ש.א (naso) appears in multiple places throughout Parshat Nasso:

Naso et rosh (נָשֹׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ) – “Lift up the heads” of the people (Numbers 4:22).
Yisa Hashem panav (יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו) – “May Hashem lift His countenance” (Numbers 6:26).
Nesi’at Kapayim (נְשִׂיאַת כַּפַּיִם) – “Lifting of the Palms,” the act of the priest raising his hands during the blessing.

Rashi (Bamidbar 6:26):“Lifting the countenance” refers to Hashem showing favor and granting forgiveness, even when not strictly deserved by judgment.

Talmud (Berachot 20b):“Lifting the face” implies that Hashem sometimes rises above the letter of the law to show mercy to His people.

🕊️ 2. The Threefold Blessing – Structure and Purpose

Midrash Tanchuma (Nasso 10):Each of the three verses corresponds to a different dimension of human life:

Material blessing and protection (verse 1)
Spiritual light and favor (verse 2)
Divine presence and peace (verse 3)

Sforno:The first blessing speaks to physical needs; the second to inner, intellectual illumination; the third to the ultimate goal: Shalom, the vessel that holds all blessings.

🔥 3. Nesi’at Kapayim – The Lifting of the Palms

When the Kohanim bless, they raise their hands in a distinct configuration, fingers forming spaces that resemble the letter ש (Shin) — representing "Shaddai," one of the holy names of God.

Zohar (Nasso 147b):When the Kohen raises his hands, he becomes a channel for divine energy, and Shefa (abundance) flows from the upper worlds through the ten fingers of the Kohen.

Ramban (Bamidbar 6:23):The blessing is not the Kohen’s own — it is Hashem who blesses through him. The Kohen becomes a vessel, purified and uplifted to draw light from Heaven.

✨ 4. Yisa Hashem Panav – Divine Favor Beyond Justice

Sfat Emet (Nasso 5650):"Yisa" means lifting up from below — Hashem meets us where we are, and elevates us. This is the aspect of rachamim (mercy) above din (judgment).

Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 17b):Hashem taught Moshe the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, and “lifting the face” is associated with His willingness to forgive even undeservedly, when there is teshuvah.

🪔 5. Peace – The Climax of the Blessing

“And grant you peace” (וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם)

Mishnah (Uktzin 3:12):“Hashem found no better vessel for blessing than peace.”

Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 12:5):In the Messianic era, peace will be the foundation of all divine service —Birkat Kohanim anticipates that future.

💡 Conclusion: Lifting Up – The Core of Divine Blessing

The repetition of the root נ.ש.א (naso) throughout Parshat Nasso emphasizes the Torah’s vision of elevation — of the self, of the nation, and of human-divine connection.

The Kohen lifts his hands, Hashem lifts His face, and we are called to lift our spiritual consciousness. The blessing is not only words — it is a transmission of light, carried from above to below, through hands, hearts, and holy names.

“LIFT EVERY SOUL: INSIGHTS INTO PARSHAT NASSO FROM THE SAGES”

Get This Week’s Full Torah Lesson!

Join Beit Yisrael International to access this week’s comprehensive Torah lesson, crafted to illuminate the timeless teachings of the weekly Parashat Nasso 5785 Dive into a rich experience with in-depth insights, step-by-step explanations, and beautifully organized content that brings the Torah to life like never before.

Sign up today on the Beit Yisrael International website to enjoy exclusive content, connect with a vibrant community, and deepen your spiritual journey.

What’s Included:

A beautifully designed article featuring color-coded sections and animated insights.
A guided journey through the profound teachings of the Torah, presented with clarity and inspiration.
Exclusive access to enriching materials for free, specially offered to our dear friends and readers at Mnglobal.org.

Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the wisdom of the Torah, gain fresh perspectives on the Parsha, and connect with the deeper meanings of these sacred teachings.

Sign up now with Beit Yisrael International and start your Torah learning adventure today!

Check out Our Website As well as Beit Yisrael International's YouTube.

Beit Yisrael International is dedicated to fulfilling a heavenly mission—bringing the light of Torah and revealing the true light of Mashiach through the Weekly Parsha in 70 languages.

This mission aligns with the teachings of the Soul of the Tzaddik, as the light of the tzaddik reflects the principles of Jewish Chassidut and Kabbalah.

These teachings on Torah, Geula (redemption), Teshuvah (repentance), Mitzvot (commandments), and Malchut (Kingship) guide souls toward spiritual transformation.