blessing

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 sanctity of God’s name, the word “Hashem” (literally, ‘the name’) is

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 the ancient priestly blessing once recited in the holy Temple

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 Hebrew. The blessings draw upon Jewish concepts associated with these animals.

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 customs that different families may practice, and the Hebrew, English

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 the Hebrew blessing over their children. Whereas the blessing traditionally begins

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 the blessing over the children. Dale Schatz writes how each

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. All or parts of it may be used instead of

Young Girl Lights Her First Shabbat Candle

Young Girl Lights Her First Shabbat Candle

In this sweet seven-minute home video a young girl receives a silver Shabbat candlestick in a package in the mail from her grandparents just prior to her third birthday. According to the Hasidic

A Beginners’ Guide to Shabbat Candle Lighting: Article and Video

A Beginners’ Guide to Shabbat Candle Lighting: Article and Video

The following article, How to Light Shabbat Candles, by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, Richard Siegel and Sharon Strassfeld, discusses both the how to’s of the Shabbat candle lighting ceremony and the

Reconstructionist Thought on Candle Lighting

Reconstructionist Thought on Candle Lighting

In this short excerpt from the essay “Exploring Judaism: A Reconstructionist Approach,” Shabbat candle lighting is expounded on as an example of the importance of ritual within Reconstructionist Judaism. Reconstructionist Judaism