This short English prayer is recited by a mother prior to blessing the candles on the Shabbat celebrating her son/daughter’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The time of lighting Shabbat candles is considering an auspicious time for prayer, according to Jewish tradition, and women have used this an opportunity to recite personal blessings for their children for generations. This specific prayer is found in the Bnei Mitzvah manual from Congregation Beth El, a Conservative synagogue in La Jolla, California. A Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a Jewish coming of age ritual, celebrated for boys at 13 years old and for girls at 12 (Orthodox and Conservative tradition) or 13 years old (Reform tradition).
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Meditation When Lighting Shabbat Candles
Gracious God, thank you for the privilege of ushering in another Shabbat of rest and peace. With a full heart, I thank you for the blessings of motherhood, the wisdom and strength that I have been able to offer my family. As we prepare to see our (son become a Bar Mitzvah / daughter become a Bat Mitzvah) and count as an adult in the Jewish Community, I ask your continued blessings upon him/her and upon us. May this synagogue which welcomes him/her to its minyan continue to prosper and grow with every Shabbat, bring its blessings of peace and serenity, joy and celebration to all.
Blessing for candles: Barukh Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melekh HaOlam, Asher Kiddishanu B’mitotav Vitzivanu Lihadlik Ner Shel Shabbat.