Blessing the Children

Informative Articles & Videos.

Click here to show more Informative Articles & Videos. content

The Origins and Meaning Behind the Blessing Over the Children

The Origins and Meaning Behind the Blessing Over the Children

In this 3:17 long video, Rabbi Spike Anderson from the Reform Temple Emanu-El of Atlanta explains the origins and meaning

Rabbi Yitz Wyne Explains the Blessing Over the Children

Rabbi Yitz Wyne Explains the Blessing Over the Children

In this 2:43 long video, Rabbi Yitz Wyne, the founder and spiritual leader of Young Israel Aish of Las Vegas,

The Blessing Over the Children as an Expression of Love

The Blessing Over the Children as an Expression of Love

In this 3.5 minute video, Rabbi Janet Ross Marder demonstrates how the blessing over the children allows family members to express their

Seeing Parenthood’s Trajectory in the Priestly Blessing

Seeing Parenthood’s Trajectory in the Priestly Blessing

This thoughtful article by Rabbi Noah Arnow provides an interesting Hassidic interpretation of the priestly blessing, which is part of

Introduction to the Blessing Over the Children

Introduction to the Blessing Over the Children

This short article offers a brief introduction to the structure and customs of the blessing over the children, traditionally recited

Chief Rabbi of the UK on Blessing the Children on Shabbat

Chief Rabbi of the UK on Blessing the Children on Shabbat

In this short video, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the United Kingdom, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, explains why children are blessed

Blessing the Children and the Importance of Family

Blessing the Children and the Importance of Family

In this article, Ariela Pelaia presents how the blessing over the children on Shabbat is traditionally practiced, as well as ways

Personalizing the Blessing of the Children on Shabbat

Personalizing the Blessing of the Children on Shabbat

This article shows how the ritual blessing over the children on Shabbat can be used as an opportunity to infuse

The Secret Shabbat Blessing: A Blessing from the Heart

The Secret Shabbat Blessing: A Blessing from the Heart

In this essay, Rabbi Leah Doberne-Schor shares why it is important for parents to go beyond the traditional text to bless

Turn Your Home into a Temple with the Blessing Over the Children

Turn Your Home into a Temple with the Blessing Over the Children

This short article demonstrates how to say the Friday night blessing over the children in English, explaining that because this ritual includes

Friday Night & Beyond: Insights on the Blessing Over the Children (Plus Text & Audio)

Friday Night & Beyond: Insights on the Blessing Over the Children (Plus Text & Audio)

This thorough excerpt from “Friday Night and Beyond” by Lori Palatnik explains the biblical origins of the ritual blessing over the children

Click here to show less Informative Articles & Videos. content

Learn How.

Click here to show more Learn How. content

Rabbi Teaches Congregants the Blessing Over the Children

Rabbi Teaches Congregants the Blessing Over the Children

In these two short videos, one for sons and one for daughters, Rabbi Marc Kline teachers parents at the Reform

How to Perform the Blessings Over the Children

How to Perform the Blessings Over the Children

This minute long video demonstrates how to recite the blessing over the children for both sons and daughters in Hebrew

Blessing the Children on Friday Night: Origins and How-To

Blessing the Children on Friday Night: Origins and How-To

This thorough introductory article by Tamar Fox outlines the origins and various family customs for the ritual blessing over the

Reform: How to Recite the Blessing Over Children (Audio & Text)

Reform: How to Recite the Blessing Over Children (Audio & Text)

This instructional post provides the Hebrew audio and the Hebrew, English and transliterated text of the blessing over the children according to

How and Why Jewish Parents Bless Their Children on Shabbat

How and Why Jewish Parents Bless Their Children on Shabbat

This sweet animated video includes a brief explanation about why Jewish parents traditionally bless their children on Shabbat, as well as various

Click here to show less Learn How. content

Traditions.

Click here to show more Traditions. content

An Original Blessing of the Children and the Parents

An Original Blessing of the Children and the Parents

This video show the recitation of an original blessing for the protection and joy of families during a unique Kabbalat

Blessing Oneself on Erev Shabbat

Blessing Oneself on Erev Shabbat

Based on the traditional blessing over the children, this alternative blessing by Rabbi Kami Knapp encourages people to bless themselves to

Traditional Text for the Blessing Over the Children

Traditional Text for the Blessing Over the Children

This post provides the traditional Hebrew, transliterated and English text for the blessings over sons and daughters traditionally recited on Friday

Be Who You Are: An Alternative Blessing Over the Children

Be Who You Are: An Alternative Blessing Over the Children

This excerpt from Marcia Falk‘s “The Book of Blessings” offers a contemporary, open-ended text for blessing one’s children on Friday night

Alternative Blessing for Children with Masculine and Feminine God Language

Alternative Blessing for Children with Masculine and Feminine God Language

This post presents the blessing for the children using both traditional male God-language as well as feminine God-language, reflecting a blend of Jewish tradition

A Rabbi Blesses the Children of his Congregation

A Rabbi Blesses the Children of his Congregation

In this short recording, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of Park Avenue (Conservative) Synagogue in New York City blesses the children in his congregation

Click here to show less Traditions. content

Music.

Click here to show more Music. content

Debbie Friedman: The World of Your Dreams (Andy’s Bar Mitzvah Song)

Debbie Friedman: The World of Your Dreams (Andy’s Bar Mitzvah Song)

This post presents the lyrics to “The World of Your Dreams (Andy’s Bar Mitzvah Song),” composed by beloved Jewish American

An Emotive Rendition of the Priestly Blessing

An Emotive Rendition of the Priestly Blessing

This video presents a musical version of the Priestly Blessing, part of the blessing over the children traditionally recited on

A Father’s Original Melody for the Blessing Over the Children

A Father’s Original Melody for the Blessing Over the Children

This video features Yerachmiel ben Yoseph singing his original, solemn melody for the blessing over the children. Although this English song is

Avraham Fried: The Traditional Jewish Blessing for Sons

Avraham Fried: The Traditional Jewish Blessing for Sons

This video features Avraham Fried singing the blessing for sons in a large open-air amphitheater in Jerusalem, accompanied by a large male

Michael Ben Naim’s Original Blessing Over the Children

Michael Ben Naim’s Original Blessing Over the Children

This music video features Israeli artist, Michael Ben Naim, and a woman (presumably his wife) singing his original, emotive melody for

Yehuda Katz Sings the Traditional Blessing for Daughters

Yehuda Katz Sings the Traditional Blessing for Daughters

In this video, American-Israeli singer Yehuda Katz performs the traditional Friday night blessing for daughters in Hebrew. In order to show respect for the

Click here to show less Music. content

What else?.

Click here to show more What else?. content

The Priestly Blessing

The Priestly Blessing

This informative article by the late Rabbi Louis Jacobs explains the origins, meaning, and practice of the Priestly Blessing in

A Multi-Generational Blessing Over the Children

A Multi-Generational Blessing Over the Children

This post describes the way in which one family includes all four generations present at their Shabbat table when performing

General Blessing for Loved Ones

General Blessing for Loved Ones

This general blessing can be said for any friend or loved one at the Shabbat table or, in fact, at any time.

Blessing One’s Parents on Friday Night

Blessing One’s Parents on Friday Night

This ritual is for children of all ages who wish to “turn the tables” and bless their parents on Shabbat.

A Rabbi Blesses the Children of his Congregation

A Rabbi Blesses the Children of his Congregation

In this short recording, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of Park Avenue (Conservative) Synagogue in New York City blesses the children in his congregation

Shabbat Blessings for Pets

Shabbat Blessings for Pets

This post presents blessings that animal-lovers can use for their pet dogs and cats on Shabbat in English and transliterated

Click here to show less What else?. content