Is there a more solicitous, tender, and widely used benediction from the Bible than the blessing God asked Moses to have his elder brother, Aaron (a prophet and priest), bestow upon the Israelites? “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” ( Numbers 6:24–26 ). This blessing comes at the end of the section in chapters five and six concerned with the holiness and well-being of the entire community.