Some families take a moment to bless their children, each child getting a moment with their parent(s), as the Sabbath starts. Customarily, this moment is after the lighting of the candles and follows the blessings, below. Other families have the custom of sharing something they are thankful for about each member of the family, or telling their children something special they noticed during the week.

Partners may also take a moment to thank each other during this time, point out a trait or moment they appreciated during the busy week, or give each other a blessing.

For boys:

Yis’m’cha Elohim k’Efrayim v’ch’Menashe.

May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe.

For girls:

Yis’meych Elohim k’Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel v’Leah.

May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.

For both, continue:

Y’varch’e’cha Adonai v’yish’marecha. Ya’er Adonai panav e’lecha vichuneka.
Yisa Adonai panev e’lecha v’yasem l’cha shalom.

May God bless you and keep you. May God shine God’s Countenance upon you and be gracious to you.
May God favor you and give you peace.

The Guide to Shabbat and Havdalah for Interfaith Families is available as a PDF and our booklet Shabbat: What to Expect in the Synagogue, Shabbat Made Easy, and Havdalah Made Easy are available for download.

Return to the Guide to Shabbat and Havdalah for Interfaith Families.