The Priestly Blessing

Production period - end of the 19th century;founders, architects, painters etc. - Hermann Junker;Front Period - middle of the 19th century - end of the 19th century;Category - Art reproduction;Description - The postcard shows the practice of Birkat Kohanim (The Priestly Blessing), a Jewish ceremony and prayer recited at synagogue during certain Jewish services. The 4 priests stands on the Bimah, in front of the public, and cover their heads and arms up to the palms of the hands with their tallitot. Their hands are spread out over the congregation with the fingers separated in a special mode (can't be seen in the illustration). During the ceremony three verses are recited: May the Lord bless you, and keep you - יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה, וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ May the Lord shine His face upon you, and favor you - יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וִיחֻנֶּךָּ May the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and grant you peace - יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם (Numbers 6:23-27).;Research details Stamp Related Bibliography - A postcard from a different edition is mentioned in Silvain, Gérard, Images et Traditions Juives un Millier de Cartes Postalle (1897-1917), pour Servir a L'histoire de la Diaspora, Paris 1980, p.422.