The Blessing and how we are to Bless part one; using Yehovah God’s example!   

Beginning with this glimpse into the Model Blessing, we see the wide spectrum across which God directs us to bless one another.

“The Lord bless thee…” conveys God’s impartation of covenant benefits to His children. In Deuteronomy 7:6- 26 and 28:1-14, Moses enumerated some of the abundant blessings to be expected by those who obediently keep covenant with the Lord. In these passages (and others) God asserted He would provide rain in the right seasons, fertility among the people and their animals, healing of afflictions and diseases, overflowing provision, bountiful harvests, national prominence, and the defeat of their enemies. Just as God granted these extraordinary benefits to His covenant people, we are to bestow His blessings of life and health, provision and shelter to those who walk in covenant relationship with Him today. “…And keep thee” expresses the guardianship of God. The Hebrew word shamar means to keep, guard, observe, and give heed. When blessed with God’s keeping, the Lord is rightly positioned as the divine source of protection against evil, sickness, poverty, and calamity. It is He alone who delivers our souls from death, keeps our eyes from tears, and our feet from stumbling. 3 Accordingly, God directs us to bless others with His custodial care and safekeeping. “The Lord make his face to shine upon thee…” In this way, we are to pronounce blessings for God’s favor and friendship. To cause the “face to shine upon” is a Biblical idiom for “to be friendly to him” or “to smile upon.” We are also blessing for God’s transforming holiness in the lives of those who accept His covenant. Throughout the Scriptures, “light” – ultimately emanating from the Lord – symbolizes holiness and purity. Therefore, recipients of His light become holy as He is holy. In addition, many rabbis interpret this phrase to speak of God’s gift of knowledge, moral insight, or enlightenment. Consequently, this expression also models the transference of God’s enlightenment to those who seek Him. “…And be gracious unto thee” communicates the grace God shows those who turn to Him as Lord. He does good things for those He loves, not because of entitlement, but because He is gracious and loving. This blessing implies that God graciously fulfills our petitions; He does not respond out of obligation. Some rabbinical commentators believe this blessing suggests God not only shows us His grace, but He gives us grace in the eyes of our fellow man.  In blessing this way, we therefore call upon the Lord to grant His unmerited favor toward us and to grant us His favor with other people. “The Lord lift his countenance upon thee…” speaks of the attentiveness of God. The Complete Jewish Bible says [May Adonai lift up his face toward you and give you peace.]’

source:3 Rabbi Dr. J.H. Hertz, The Pentateuch and Haftorahs, 2nd Edition (London: Soncino, 1960) 595