Judaism
A word of blessing can be more potent than we know
The fifth in our series on the wisdom of counting our blessings
July 6, 2025 10:18
The fifth in our series on the wisdom of counting our blessings
July 6, 2025 10:18A while ago, a colleague left a lovely message for me on the phone. It was full of blessings and I felt those blessings wash over me and bring light to my day.
Every time I think of the message, I feel grateful and encouraged to continue the work I do.
Words spoken might seem to vanish into thin air, but their effect on us can last a lifetime. Try to think back to a comment that affected you.
Whether it was positive or negative – the words can still be heard in your mind, and most probably the speaker does not even remember saying them.
There is a beautiful custom on Friday night for parents to bless one's children. The text of that blessing reads as follows.
"May God bless you and guard you. May God's face shine on you, and may He find favor in you. May God lift His face toward you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26).
This blessing has been given by the priests for over 2,000 years, and we continue to hear those blessings in shul throughout the year (and in Israel, they bless the people every day).
Rabbi Ḥanina said: “One should never regard the blessing of an ordinary person as light (unimportant) in your eyes, as two of the great men of their generations received blessings from ordinary people and those blessings were fulfilled in them” (Talmud, Megilla 15a).
Sometimes, we may feel like our words are not so powerful, as we are just ordinary people, but the Talmud teaches us that we have more power than we realise.
At this moment in world history, there is so much pain, anger and sadness. Let us utilise the power of our mouths to give blessings to those around us and bring joy and hope to all that we meet.
Image: Overlooking the recitation of the Priestly Blessing at the Kotel in Jerusalem (photo: Flash90)