blessing

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

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. It includes relevant meditations and biblical verses to ponder, a

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 with the blessing traditionally said by parents on Friday night.

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 their children with their own “secret Shabbat blessing,” based on

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