Blessing of the Children -  בִּרְכַּת הַבָּנִים

[ On the Eve of Sabbath and of Holy days it is customary for Parents, either at the conclusion of the Service in Synagogue, or upon reaching their Home, to place a hand on the head of each child and pronounce the following Benediction. ]

For Sons say:

יְשִׂמְךָ אֱלֹהִים כְּאֶפְרַֽיִם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁה.

Yesimcha elohim k’efraim v’chimenashe.

May God make you as Ephraim and Manasseh.

For Daughters say:

יְשִׂמֵךְ אֱלֹהִים כְּשָׂרָה, רִבְקָה, רָחֵל וְלֵאָה.

Yesimeich elohim k’sara, rivka, rachel v’leah.

May God make you as Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah.

For Both Sons and Daughters:

יְבָרֶכְךָ יְיָ וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ.

יָאֵר יְיָ פָּנָיו אֵלֶֽיךָ וִיחֻנֶּֽךָּ.

יִשָּׂא יְיָ פָּנָיו אֵלֶֽיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם.

Yevarech’cha Adonai v’yishm’recha. 

Yaeir Adonai panecha eilecha vichunecha.

Yisa Adonai panav eilecha v’yasem lecha shalom.

May God bless you and guard you.

May God turn his face to you and be gracious to you.

May God watch over you and grant you and your children and your childrens’ children peace and blessing, for us and all humanity, for all time.


haggadah Section: Introduction