Blessing over the Children
From Shabbat
Traditionally recited on Erev Shabbat, this blessing is between parents and their children. There are many variations on how the blessing is made. The most common custom is for the father to put his hands on the child's head and recite the blessing. In some homes the blessing is followed by a kiss, and in other homes it is followed by personal words of praise. In some homes the mother gives the blessing together with the father, in other homes the mother gives the blessing in addition to the father, and still in other homes the mother gives the blessing instead of the father. In some homes each child gets up at the table and stands before the parent to get the blessing, and in other homes the parent walks around the table and blesses each seated child.
The Blessing for a Son
The blessing for sons asks God to make them like Ephraim and Menashe.
English
May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe
Tranliteration
Ye'simcha Elohim ke-Ephraim ve'chi-Menashe
Why?
Just before he dies, Jacob blesses his two grandsons, Ephraim and Menashe. He says they should become role models for the Jewish people in the future.
On that day Jacob blessed them, he said, "In time to come, the people of Israel will use you as a blessing. They will say, 'May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe'." (Genesis 48:20)
Ephraim and Menashe did in fact become role models worthy of emulation. Unlike those before them, including Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, and Joseph and his brothers, Ephraim and Menashe were not rivals. Rather, Ephraim and Menashe were brothers united by their drive to perform good deeds.
The Blessing for a Daughter
The blessing for daughters asks God to make them like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.
English
May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.
Tranliteration
Ye'simech Elohim ke-Sarah, Rivka, Ra-chel ve-Lay'ah
Why?
Each of the matriarchs has qualities that qualify them to be role models.
The matriarchs were strong and laudable women. They endured difficult home lives, hardships in marriage, infertility, abduction, envy from other woman, and difficult children. Nevertheless, these righteous women, through their individual passion, their partnerships with the patriarchs and their loyalty to God, succeed to build a nation.
The Blessing for Children
After the above blessing is recited for a son or daughter, some people continue with this blessing for both boys and girls.
English May God bless you and watch over you.
May God shine His face toward you and show you favor.
May God be favorably disposed toward you and grant you peace.
Transliteration
Ye'varech'echa Adonoy ve'yish'merecha.
Ya'ir Adonoy panav eilecha viy-chuneka.
Yisa Adonoy panav eilecha, ve'yasim lecha shalom.
