While Jews outside of Eretz Yisrael are on this Shabbat celebrating the second day of the Festival of Shavuot and reading the special Torah section assigned to that day, their brothers in the Holy Land are reading Parshat Naso, the longest weekly parsha in the entire Torah.

If one looks for a connection between this holiday of the Giving of the Torah and the weekly portion read in Eretz Yisrael, he may find it in the first of the blessings which the kohanim bestow upon the congregation.

“May G-d bless you and protect you” is what the descendants of Aharon are commanded to pray on behalf of their fellow Jews. When Jews are deserving of Heavenly blessing because they are faithful to the Torah given to them on Shavuot, they receive not only prosperity but also security against those who attempt to harm them.

This is an important message for Jews in Eretz Yisrael and throughout the world, whose prosperity is threatened by enemies. May this blessing of the kohanim be fulfilled for Jews everywhere so that they may enjoy security along with prosperity.

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