Modern Betrothal Blessing

holding hands

A betrothal blessing focused on monogamy and blessing the loving couple, rather than forbidden relationships.


בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן

Transliteration:
Barukh atah Adonay eloheynu melekh ha’olam, borei p’ri hagafen.

English:
Blessed are You Eternal our God Ruler of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּֽנוּ לִדְבוֹק זוֹ בְּזוֹ וְלְהִיוֹת לְבָשָֹר אֶחָד[1], וְאָֽסַר עָלֵינוּ אֲחֵרִים[2], וְהִתִּיר לָֽנוּ אֶת הַנְּשׂוּאוֹת לָֽנוּ עַל יְדֵי חֻפָּה וְקִדּוּשִׁין. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְקַדֵּשׁ עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל יְדֵי חֻפָּה וְקִדּוּשִׁין.

Transliteration:
Barukh atah Adonay eloheynu melekh ha’olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotenu lidvok zo b’zo v’lihiot l’vasar ekhad, v’asar aleynu akheirim, v’hitir lanu et hansu’ot lanu al y’dey khupah v’kiddushin. Barukh atah Adonay m’kadesh amo Yisrael al y’dey khupah v’kiddushin.

English:
Blessed are You Eternal our God Ruler of the universe, Who made us holy through God’s commandments and commanded us to cleave one to the other and become as one flesh, and forbade to us others, and permitted to us the one who we marry by means of huppah and kiddushin. Blessed are You God, Who makes holy God’s people Israel by means of huppah and kiddushin.

Read about the authors’ wedding and ritual decisions.


[1] Text adapted from Genesis 2:24.

[2] Changed wording to reflect our modern understanding of monogamy

 
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