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Shabbat: Bringing Blessings to Each Other

On Shabbat, not only do we bless candles, wine, and challah. We also bless each other! It is traditional for parents to bless their children with the following blessing at the Shabbat dinner table each Friday night, after lighting candles and before reciting the Kiddush over the wine.

This blessing comes from the Torah (Numbers 6:24-26), and is used at nearly every momentous occasion in Jewish life. Some parents have the custom of adding personal blessings or wishes before saying the traditional blessing, or recounting moments during the past week that made them particularly proud.

Y'varechecha Adonai v'yish-merecha.
May God bless you and keep you.  

Ya'eir Adonai panav eilecha viy'chuneka.
May the light of God's face shine on you, and may God be gracious to you.

Yisa Adonai panav eilecha v'yaseim l'cha shalom.
May you feel God's presence in your life, and may God give you peace.