Amidah: Bet David: Birchat Kohanim

The 17th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi David (Tevele) ben Moshe of Minsk, Russia, the author of Bet David. He died on February 27, 1861.

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 63) teaches:

From where did Israel merit the Blessing of the Kohanim?

Rabbi Yehudah says, “From Avraham.”

Rabbi Nechemiah says, “From Isaac.”

The Sages say, “From Jacob.”

Esau had the same potential as Jacob, but he turned away and left his brother, indicating that he was rejecting his potential. Jacob turned to his potential and accepted it as his mission in life.

The Blessing of the Kohanim is effective only for those who turn toward their potential and mission. (A Short Selection From Bet David; Derush Aleph)