Blessing 19: Light

“Barcheinu Avinu Kulanu Ke’echad B’Or Panecha”: Bless us, our Father, all of us as one, with the Light of Your Face.

How is this connected to the beginning of the paragraph of “Sim Shalom”, “Grant Peace”?

Nothing is better than to get a blessing from the light of God’s countenance. Light always represents the ability to see things for what they really are, and to understand the intention in their creation. Light refers to energy, to potential, and to our connection with God. It is the state of our connection to the Infinite.

The things, which prevent us from seeing light, are the things that are addressed in the beginning of this blessing. In others words, God places Shalom- peace, Tova- good, Bracha- the ability to expand, Chen- the ability to appreciate things for what they really are, (someone with Chen is never perceived as a threat), Chesed, loving kindness, or expansion, and Rachamim, compassion.

When we are able to access these, we will be able to see and use the light.