Blessing the Children

Blessing the Children

It has become a widely accepted custom for parents to bless their children on the eve of Shabbos. The placing of both hands upon the child's head when giving the blessing, symbolizes that the blessing is bestowed with fullness of spirit and heart.

For a boy: May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe. May Adonoy bless you and guard you. May Adonoy shine His countenance upon you and be gracious unto you. May Adonoy turn His countenance toward you and grant you peace.

For a girl: May God make you like Sorah, Rivkah, Rochel and Leah. May Adonoy bless you and guard you. May Adonoy shine His countenance upon you and be gracious unto you. May Adonoy turn His countenance toward you and grant you peace.

Where it comes in the siddur

• Followed by: Shalom Aleichem
• Part 1 of 6 in Shabbat Evening
• The same text in Hebrew: ברכת הבנים

In the other nusachs

• Ashkenaz (This page): 3 paragraphs, 1 of them instructions
• Sefard: Blessing the Children — 7 paragraphs, 3 of them instructions

Texts and sources

Every prayer text in Amidora comes from openly licensed editions published on Sefaria. Only editions released under CC-BY, CC0 or the public domain are included.

• Metsudah Siddur, Avrohom Davis, 1981 — CC-BY, via Sefaria
• Translation based on the Metsudah linear siddur, by Avrohom Davis, 1981 · CC-BY
• https://www.nli.org.il/he/books/NNL_ALEPH002211687