After welcoming the tranquil spirit of Shabbat, we turn to one another. Sometimes personal statements of appreciation that highlight experiences of the past week are offered. After these informal exchanges, the following traditional passages may be recited.
Parents place their hands on their children’s heads and bless them by saying:
To a son:
Yesimeha elohim ke’efrayim vehimnasheh.
May God make you like Ephraim and Menasheh.
To a daughter:
Yesimeh elohim kesarh rivkah rahel vele’ah.
May God make you like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah.
Some families join hands while continuing together with the following blessings:
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s presence shine on you and be gracious to you.
May God’s presence rise toward you and give you peace.
The entire family may wish to say the following blessing:
Harahaman
Hu yevareh
otanu kulanu yahad
bevirkat shalom.
May the Merciful One bless all of us together with the blessing of peace.
Couples may wish to bless one another. They might choose passages from the Song of Songs. Traditionally, men have expressed appreciation to women by reciting “Eshet Hayil” (Proverbs 31:10-31). Women might choose to respond with “Mi Ha’ish” (Psalms 112:1-9).
May…peace (Numbers 6:24-26).
Traditionally parents bless their children after candlelighting. They bless their sons in the names of Ephraim and Menasheh (Genesis 48:20) about whom we know very little. They bless their daughters in the names of the matriarchs.
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