Iran is constantly in the headlines — tensions, threats, and troubling news. But this time, here is a beautiful Jewish story.
In 1957, the movie “The Ten Commandments” arrived in Tehran. For the Jews of Iran, this was far more than entertainment; it was a spiritual experience.
Entire families came to watch the film, including elderly people who had never before been inside a theater. The audience laughed, cried, cheered for Moshe Rabbeinu, and booed Pharaoh.
When the movie reached the scene of Mount Sinai and the voice of Hashem was heard from the fire and smoke, some people covered their eyes as if reciting Shema, while others fainted from emotion. And when they saw the sin of the Golden Calf, many burst into tears as though the event were happening before them.
At the end of the film, when Moshe returned with the second Tablets, the theater filled with joy. People danced, embraced, and celebrated. For them, this was not just a movie — it was an experience of Maamad Har Sinai.
This week, in Parshat Naso, we read about Birkat Kohanim: “So shall you bless the Children of Israel.”
The Rebbe explains that Birkat Kohanim is unique because every Jew receives these blessings with love, without conditions: “May Hashem bless you and protect you.”
Even more remarkable, Birkat Kohanim is the one authentic remnant of the Beit Hamikdash service that still remains exactly as it was in ancient times.
In Tehran, Jews were moved by a film about Mount Sinai. But when Kohanim stand and bless the people with love, this is not a performance — it is real holiness, a living experience from the Beit Hamikdash itself.
May we merit very soon to hear Birkat Kohanim once again in the Third Beit Hamikdash, with the coming of the complete and final redemption.