How were the blessings and curses [pronounced]? When Israel crossed the Jordan and came to Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal which are by Samaria, (this is in the vicinity of Shechem which is in the vicinity of the terebinths of moreh, and it is said, are they not beyond Jordan etc. And elsewhere it states, and Abram passed through the land unto the place of Shechem unto the terebinth of moreh; as the terebinth of moreh mentioned in this latter verse is Shechem, so the terebinth of moreh mentioned in the former verse is Shechem.) six Tribes ascended the summit of Mount Gerizim, six Tribes ascended the summit of Mount Ebal, and the priests and Levites with the Ark were stationed below in the centre, the priests surrounding the Ark, the Levites [surrounding] the priests, and all Israel on this side and that side; as it is said, and all Israel, and their elders and officers, and their judges stood on this side the Ark and on that side etc. They turned their faces towards Mount Gerizim and opened with the blessing:blessed be the man that maketh not a graven or molten image`, and both parties respond Amen. They then turned their faces towards Mount Ebal and opened with the curse: cursed be the man that maketh the graven or molten image`, and both parties respond `amend. [So they continue] until they complete the blessings and curses. After that they brought the stones, built the altar and plastered it with plaster, and inscribed thereon all the words of the Torah in seventy languages, as it is said, very plainly. Then they took the stones and went and spent the night in their place. |
סוטה 7.5 |
How was the Priestly Benediction [pronounced]? In the province it was said as three blessings, but in the Temple as one blessing. In the Temple the name was uttered as written, but in the province in its substituted name. In the province the priests raise their hands in a line with their shoulders, but in the Temple above their heads, except the High Priest who does not raise his hands higher than the plate. R. Judah says: also the High Priest raises his hands higher than the plate, as it is said, and Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. |
סוטה 7.6 |
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