Candle Lighting Blessing
We kindle lights on Shabbat and on Jewish holidays as a sacred act of welcome — drawing a boundary between the ordinary and the holy. The person lighting the candles waves their hands over the flames, covers their eyes, recites the blessing, and then opens their eyes to behold the light. SHABBAT CANDLES Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ […]
Blessing Over the Children
Many families bless their children on Shabbat (and at other meaningful moments). Traditionally, we begin with one line for a son or a daughter, and then continue with the Priestly Blessing. FOR A SON (BEN) Hebrew: יְשִׂמְךָ אֱלֹהִים כְּאֶפְרַֽיִם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁה. English: May God make you like Ephraim and Menasheh. FOR A DAUGHTER (BAT) Hebrew: יְשִׂמֵךְ […]