In our Gemara on Amud Beis, Rav Adda bar Ahava makes a declaration: “May blessings rest upon Rabbi Shimon’s head.”

What is the significance of this phrase? What does it mean, “Blessings upon the head” as opposed to simply “blessings upon him”?

This phrase is not only used regarding Rabbi Shimon; the Gemara (Megillah 25b) states that blessings will rest upon the head of one who praises an esteemed person.

Ben Yehoyada (ibid) explains that the word “head” represents the source of generativity and future offspring. Ancient medicine followed the path from brain via spinal cord to genitals, assuming a vital fluid or essence flows from the brain to the seed. Moreover, the brain generates ideas and personalities that carry the culture of the family, impacting future generations. Thus, the blessing on the “head” implies blessing not only for the individual but for the entire future family line.

Further research suggests this phrase paraphrases Mishle (10:6): “Blessings are upon the head of the righteous.”

Commentaries suggest various meanings for this. Yalkut Shimoni (406:4) understands “head” as the head of the universe—God Himself—and that blessings (prayers) form a crown resting on God’s head. This Midrashic allegory means just as a king is honored via his crown, so God is honored through human prayer. This is how we bless God. Extending this, the Zohar (Vayetze 162a) sees the head as the distribution point from which blessing flows back into the world.

The Malbim (ibid) interprets “head” literally, as when one blesses someone by placing hands on their head, symbolizing a higher regard and stronger transfer of blessing and wishes. The Ralbag (ibid) understands “head” as the beginning—when a righteous person acts, their plans and intentions are evident from the outset, built on good.

One final etymological point: The opposite usage exists as well. The Megillah tells us that Haman’s wicked plans intended for the Jews boomeranged back upon his “head” (Esther 9:25). This suggests that “upon the head” originally evokes a person throwing a rock or arrow to hit something else and having it fall back on his own head. If correct, then blessing “upon his head” is the inverse of the curse: while the wicked suffer their evil returning to them, the righteous benefit from their good deeds and intentions projected outward, returning as blessing in many ways.