Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ramban · Torah
Ramban on Numbers 6:24/רמב"ן על במדבר ו׳:כ״ד
אוְטַעַם יְבָרֶכְךָ ה' וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ עַל דֶּרֶךְ הָאֱמֶת, כִּי הַבְּרָכָה - מִלְמַעְלָה, וְהַשְּׁמִירָה - שֶׁתִּשְׁמֹר אוֹתָהּ, כְּטַעַם ״זָכוֹר וְשָׁמוֹר״. וְעוֹד: יָאֵר הַשֵּׁם הַגָּדוֹל אֶת פָּנָיו הַמַּבִּיטִים בְּךָ. וְכָךְ אָמְרוּ בְּסִפְרֵי (ספרי על במדבר ו כה): רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: זֶה מְאוֹר שְׁכִינָה. וִיחֻנֶּךָּ שֶׁתִּשָּׂא חֵן בְּעֵינָיו, כְּעִנְיָן שֶׁאָמְרוּ (בראשית רבה ט ד): ״עוֹלָמִי עוֹלָמִי, הַלְוַאי תְּהֵא מַעֲלַת חֵן לְפָנַי בְּכָל שָׁעָה״. וְעוֹד: יִשָּׂא הַשֵּׁם פָּנָיו אֶל הַשָּׁמַיִם מִמַּעַל, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם הַכֹּל בְּבֵיתְךָ. וְכָךְ אָמְרוּ בְּסִפְרֵי (ספרי על במדבר ו כו): רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: זֶה שְׁלוֹם מַלְכוּת בֵּית דָּוִד. וְשָׂמוּ אֶת שְׁמִי הַגָּדוֹל עַל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַאֲנִי אֲבָרְכֵם כִּי אֲנִי הַמְדַבֵּר הִנֵּנִי, וְשָׁלוֹם:
1THE 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],115 and ‘Shamor’ (Keep) the Sabbath-day.116 Furthermore, the Great Name will make His countenance that watches over you shine [upon you].117 And so did the Rabbis say in the Sifre:118 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]!”119 Furthermore, the Eternal lift up His countenance to the heavens above and give thee peace120 — all in your house. And so the Rabbis said in the Sifre:121 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,122 for it is I that speaketh, behold, here I am,123 and peace.124