Commentary for Numbers 6:24

יברכך [THE LORD] BLESS THEE — that thy property may increase (Sifrei Bamidbar 40).

THE ETERNAL BLESS THEE, AND KEEP THEE. By way of the Truth, [the mystic teachings of the Cabala], the meaning thereof is because “the blessing” comes from on High [downward], and the meaning of shmirah [“keeping” — and He ‘keep’ thee] is that you should “keep” it, like Remember [the Sabbath-day],¹¹⁵Exodus 20:5. See Ramban there. and ‘Shamor’ (Keep) the Sabbath-day.¹¹⁶Deuteronomy 5:12. Furthermore, the Great Name will make His countenance that watches over you shine [upon you].¹¹⁷Verse 25. And so did the Rabbis say in the Sifre:¹¹⁸Sifre Naso 41. “Rabbi Nathan says: [The Eternal make His countenance shine upon thee.] This is a reference to the light of the Divine Presence.” And He be gracious unto thee, that you may find favor in His sight, similar to that which the Rabbis have said [that when G-d completed the creation of the world He said]: “My world! My world! Would that you will find favor in My sight all the time [as at this moment]!”¹¹⁹Bereshith Rabbah 9:4. “That is to say: ‘I wish that man would not spoil the celestial spheres through which his blessings descend after I endowed him with freedom of action’” (Beiur Ha’lvush to Ricanti, quoting the language of Ramban). Furthermore, the Eternal lift up His countenance to the heavens above and give thee peace¹²⁰Verse 26. — all in your house. And so the Rabbis said in the Sifre:¹²¹Sifre Naso 42. “[And He give thee peace.] Rabbi Nathan said: This is a reference to the peace of the kingdom of David.” So shall they put My Great Name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them,¹²²Verse 27. for it is I that speaketh, behold, here I am,¹²³Isaiah 52:6. and peace.¹²⁴Ricanti in quoting the language of Ramban does not mention “and peace.” In the commentary of Ma’or V’shamesh, however, it is explained as meaning: “with the consent of peace.”

יברכך, with material wealth. The reason this is the first of the blessing is explained by our sages in Avot 3,17 אם אין קמח אין תורה, “if there is no flour, (no economic base) a Torah environment cannot flourish.”