The Parents’ Blessing

It is customary to bless the newborn with the traditional blessing with which the Kohanim [priests] generally bless the congregation. A Kohen may recite this blessing, as may the parents, grandparents, or anyone else. The original form of this blessing is generally recited (as it appears in Numbers 6:24), preferably the expanded version that follows. Some people entirely preserve the verse in its original form, while others change it to the feminine form.

 

  יְשִׂימֵךְ אֱלֹהִים כְּשָׂרָה רִבְקָה רָחֵל וְלֵאָה אֲשֶׁר בָּנוּ אֶת בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, יְבָרֶכְךָ יְבָרְכֵךְ אֲדֹנָי וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ וְיִשְׁמְרֵךְ יָאֵר אֲדָנַי אֲדֹנָי פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ אֵלָיִךְ וִיחֻנֶךָּ וִיחֻנֵּךְ יִשָּׂא אֲדֹנָי פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ אֵלָיִךְ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ לֵךְ שָׁלוֹם

  וִיהִי רָצוֹן מִלִּפְנֵי אָבִינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם שֶׁיִּתֵּן בְּלִבֵּךְ אַהֲבָתוֹ וְיִרְאָתוֹ וְתִהְיֶה יִרְאַת הַשֵּׁם עַל פָּנַיִךְ כָּל יָמַיִךְ שֶׁלֹּא תֶחֱטָאִיֶ וּתְהִיֶ חֶשְׁקֵךְ בַּתּוֹרָה וּבְמִצְווֹת עֵינֵיִךְ לְנוֹכָח יַבִּיטוּ פִּיךְ יְדַבֵּר חֲכְמוֹת וְלִבֵּךְ יֶהְגֶה אֵימּוֹת יָדַיִךְ יַעֲסְקוּ בְּמִצְווֹת, רַגְלַיִךְ יָרוּצוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹן אָבִיךְ שֶׁבַּשׁ יָמִים, וִיהִי מְקוֹרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ 

Yishmirekh Elohim k-Sarah, Rivkah, Rakhel vi-Leah asher banu et Beyt Yisrael,
Yivarekhikhekh/yivarekhikha Adonay vi-yishmirekh/yishmirekha,
Ya’er Adonay panav elayikh/elekha vi-yasim lakh/likha shalom.
Viyihi ratzon milifney Avinu Shebashamayim, sheyiten bi-libekh ahavato vi-yirato,
Vitihiyeh yirat HaShem al p’nayikh kol yamayikh she-lo tekheta’i u-tihiyeh kheshkekh
ba-Torah u-vimitzvot,
Eynayikh li-nokhakh yabitu, pikh yidaber khokhmot, vi-libekh yehigeh aymot,
yadayikh ya’asku bi-mitzvot, raglayikh yarutzu la’asot ritzon Avikh sheh-bashamyim,
vi-yihi mikorekh barukh.

Make God make you like Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah, the pillars of our people. May Hashem bless you and safeguard you. May Hashem illuminate His countenance for you and be gracious to you. May Hashem turn His countenance to you and establish peace for you. May it be the will of our Father in heaven, that He instill in your heart His love and reverence. May the fear of Hashem be upon your face all your days, in order that you not sin. May your craving be for the Torah and the commandments. May your eyes gaze toward truth, may your mouth speak wisdom, may your hands engage in the commandments, may your feet run to do the will of your Father in heaven. May the source of your posterity be blessed.

 

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