Blessings

The blessing over the bread

Uncover the challah and say:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz.

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

Eat the challah.

Place your hands on the child’s head and say:

For a boy:

Y’sim-cha Eh-lo-him k’Ephra’im v’chi-M’nasheh.

May God inspire you to live in the tradition of

Ephraim and Menasheh.

For a girl:

Y’si-meich Eh-lo-him k’Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, v’Lei-ah.

May God inspire you to live like Sarah,

Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah.

For both boys and girls:

Y’va-reh-ch’cha Adonai v’yish-m’reh-cha.

Ya-eir Adonai pa-nav ei-leh-cha vi-chu-neh-ka.

Yisa Adonai pa-nav ei-leh-cha v’ya-seim l’cha sha-lom.

May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s light shine upon you, and may God be gracious to you.

May you feel God’s Presence within you always, and may you find peace.

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