Joshua Williams - Dvar Torah

The Power of Blessing Others

Today marks a momentous occasion as I fulfill my covenant with God through my Bar Mitzvah. My Torah portion from Parshat Nasso contains one of the most beautiful and well-known passages in the Torah — the Priestly Blessing.

In Numbers 6:22–27, God instructs Moses:

“Speak to Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the people of Israel. Say to them:

GOD bless you and protect you!

GOD deal kindly and graciously with you! 

GOD bestow favor upon you and grant you peace! 

Thus they shall link My name with the people of Israel, and I will bless them”

This blessing has three parts. The first line asks God to bless and protect us — not only from physical harm, but also to give us the strength to face life’s challenges. As someone who has faced my own difficulties, preparing for my Bar Mitzvah has taught me that I am capable of far more than I once believed. With God’s help, I have grown stronger on this journey.

The second and third lines speak about our close connection with God. They ask for His light, kindness, and ultimately shalom — true peace and wholeness in our lives. The blessing reminds us that the Kohanim are not the source of the blessing; they are simply the channel. It is God Himself who blesses the people when His Name is placed upon them.

This portion has taught me the great power of blessing others. When we sincerely bless someone — whether for good health, success in school, strength during hard times, or happiness — we make them feel seen, valued, and encouraged. We build up the people around us and bring more goodness into the world.

I believe that when we bless others with sincerity, we uphold our covenant with God and show appreciation for all the good He has brought into our lives. As I stand here today as a Bar Mitzvah, I would like to thank and bless my family, my friends, and my cheder teachers who supported me through this journey.