BLESSING THE CHILDREN

יְשִׂמְךָ May God make you like Efrayim and Menashe.

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

יְבָרֶכְךָ May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD turn His face toward you and grant you peace.

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם Welcome, ministering angels, angels of the Most High, from the Supreme King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.

Enter in peace, angels of peace, angels of the Most High, from the Supreme King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.

Bless me with peace, angels of peace, angels of the Most High, from the Supreme King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.

Go in peace, angels of peace, angels of the Most High, from the Supreme King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.

כִּי מַלְאָכָיו He will command His angels about you, to guard you in all your ways. May the LORD guard your going out and your return, from now and for all time.

רִבּוֹן כָּל הָעוֹלָמִים Master of all worlds, LORD of all souls, LORD of peace, mighty, blessed and great King, King who speaks peace, King who is glorious, enduring and pure, King who gives life to worlds, King who is good and does good, King alone and unique, great King who robes Himself in compassion, King who reigns over all kings, who is exalted and supports those who fall, King who is Author of creation, who redeems and rescues, who is radiant and ruddy, King who is holy, high and exalted, King who hears prayer, King whose way is just: I thank You, LORD my God and God of my ancestors, for all the loving-kindness You have done and will do for me, and all the members of my household and all my fellow creatures. Blessed are Your angels, holy and pure, who do Your will. LORD of peace, King to whom peace belongs, bless me with peace, and grant me and the members of my household, and all Your people the house of Israel, a good and peaceful life. King exalted over all the heavenly array, who formed me and who formed creation, I entreat Your radiant presence, that You find me and all the members of my household worthy of grace and good favor in Your eyes and the eyes of all people and all who see us, that we may serve You. May we be worthy to receive Sabbaths amidst great joy, wealth and honor, and few sins. May You remove from me and all the members of my household and all Your people the house of Israel all sickness and disease, all poverty, hardship and destitution. Grant us a virtuous desire to serve You in truth, awe and love. May we find honor in Your eyes and the eyes of all who see us, for You are the King of honor: to You it belongs, to You it accords. Please, King who reigns over all kings, command Your angels, ministering angels who minister to the Most High, to act compassionately toward me when they enter my house on our holy day, for I have lit my lights, spread my couch and changed my clothes in honor of the Sabbath; I have come to Your House to lay my pleas before You that You remove my sighs; I have testified that in six days You created all things, and said it a second time, and will testify to it a third time over my cup, in joy, as You commanded me to remember it, delighting in the extra soul You have given me. On it [the Sabbath] I shall rest as You have commanded me, thereby to serve You. So too I will declare Your greatness in joyful song, for I have set the LORD before me, that You may have compassion upon me in my exile, redeeming me and awakening my heart to Your love. Then I will keep Your commands and statutes without sadness, praying correctly as is right and fitting. Angels of peace, come in peace and bless me with peace; declare blessed the table I have prepared, and go in peace, now and forever. Amen, Selah.

א אֵשֶׁת־חַֽיִל A woman of strength, who can find? Her worth is far beyond pearls. ב Her husband’s heart trusts in her, and he has no lack of gain. ג She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. ד She seeks wool and linen, and works with willing hands. ה She is like a ship laden with merchandise, bringing her food from afar. ו She rises while it is still night, providing food for her household, portions for her maids. ז She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. ח She girds herself with strength, and braces her arms for her tasks. ט She sees that her business goes well; her lamp does not go out at night. י She holds the distaff in her hand, and grasps the spindle with her palms. כ She reaches out her palm to the poor, and extends her hand to the needy. ל She has no fear for her family when it snows, for all her household is clothed in crimson wool. מ She makes elegant coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple wool. נ Her husband is well known in the gates, where he sits with the elders of the land. ס She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies merchants with sashes. ע She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. פ She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue. צ She watches over the ways of her household, and never eats the bread of idleness. ק Her children rise and call her happy; her husband also praises her: ר “Many women have excelled, but you surpass them all.” ש Charm is deceptive and beauty vain: it is the God-fearing woman who deserves praise. ת Give her the reward she has earned; let her deeds bring her praise in the gates.

Prepare the feast of perfect faith, joy of the holy King. Prepare the royal feast.

This is the feast [mystically known as] ‘the Field of Holy Apples’ – and ‘the Small Face’ and ‘the Holy Ancient One’ [mystical terms for aspects of the Divine] come to partake in the feast with it.

With songs of praise I will cut away [evil forces], to enter the holy gates of ‘the Field of Apples.’ We now invite Her [the Divine Presence] with a newly prepared table and a fine candelabrum spreading light upon our heads. Between right and left is the bride, decked with jewelry, adorned and robed. Her husband embraces her, and in the joy of their togetherness [evil forces] are crushed. Cries and suffering stop and cease; a new face comes upon spirits and souls. She will have great and doubled joy; light will come, and bounteous blessing. Come near, dear friends, and prepare delicacies of many kinds, and fish and fowl. Renewing souls and spirits through the thirty-two [paths of wisdom] and the three branches [of Scripture]. She [the Divine Presence] has seventy crowns, and above, the King is crowned with all in the Holy of Holies. Engraved and hidden with her are all worlds, but the pestle of the Ancient of Days releases all that is hidden. May it be His will that the Divine Presence rest on His people who, for His name’s sake, delight in sweet foods and honey. To the south, I will arrange the candelabrum of hidden [wisdom], to the north I will set the table with bread. With wine in the cup, and myrtle clusters for bridegroom and bride, the weak will be given strength. Let us make them crowns of precious words, seventy crowns beyond the fifty. May the Divine Presence be crowned with six loaves on each side, like the two sets of six loaves [of showbread] and other articles [in the Temple]. [On the Sabbath] impure powers and afflicting angels cease and desist; and those who are confined have respite. To break bread the size of an olive or an egg, for there are two ways of interpreting the Yod [of the divine name], restrictively or expansively. It is like pure olive oil, pressed in a mill, flowing like rivers, whispering secrets. Let us speak of mysteries, secrets unrevealed, hidden and concealed. To crown the bride with mysteries above, at this, the holy angels’ wedding celebration.

KIDDUSH FOR SHABBAT EVENING

Quietly: There was evening, and there was morning – יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי the sixth day.

Then the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their vast array. On the seventh day God finished the work that He had done, and on the seventh day He rested from all the work that He had done. God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, He rested from all His work, from all that God had created and done.

Please pay attention, my masters. Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the Universe, who has made us holy through His commandments, who has favored us, and in love and favor gave us His holy Sabbath as a heritage, a remembrance of the work of creation. It is the first among the holy days of assembly, a remembrance of the exodus from Egypt. For You chose us and sanctified us from all the peoples, and in love and favor gave us Your holy Sabbath as a heritage. Blessed are You, LORD, who sanctifies the Sabbath.

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the Universe, who has made us holy through his commandments and has commanded us to dwell in the sukka.

ZEMIROT FOR SHABBAT EVENING

כָּל מְקַדֵּשׁ All who fittingly sanctify the seventh day, All who protect the Sabbath properly from desecration, Will have great reward in accord with their deed. “Each in his own camp, each under his own banner.”

Lovers of the Lord, who await the building of the Temple, Be glad and joyful on the Sabbath as if receiving the gift of God’s inheritance, Raise your hands in holiness and say to God: “Blessed is the Lord who has given rest to His people Israel.”

Seekers of the Lord, offspring of His beloved Abraham, Who are slow to leave the Sabbath but hasten to enter it, Who rejoice to keep it and make its eiruv – “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Remember Moses’ Torah, from which the laws of Sabbath are learned, Engraved is the seventh day like a bedecked bride between her companions, The pure inherit it and sanctify it with the words: “All that He had made… And on the seventh day He rested from all the work that He had done.”

It is a sacred day from beginning to end, All Jacob’s offspring will honor it as the King’s word and decree, Resting on it and rejoicing with delights of food and drink. “All the congregation of Israel will observe it.”

Extend Your loving-kindness to those who know You, zealous and retributive God, Those who keep the seventh day, fulfilling “Remember” and “Observe,” Grant them the joy of Jerusalem rebuilt, make them shine with the light of Your face. “Fill them with the rich plenty of Your House, give them drink from Your river of delights.”

Help those who, on the seventh day, rest from plow and harvest, Who walk slowly, and eat three meals to bless You. May their righteousness shine like the light of the seven days, Lord God of Israel, grant completion.

מְנוּחָה וְשִׂמְחָה Rest and joy, light for all Jews, Is the Sabbath day, day of delights; Those who keep and recall it bear witness That in six days all creation was made.

The highest heavens, land and seas, The hosts of heaven, high and sublime; Sea monsters, humans and all wild beasts, Were created by God, the LORD, who formed all worlds.

It was He who spoke to His treasured people: “Keep it to make it holy from beginning to end.” The holy Sabbath is His day of delight, For on it God rested from all His work.

Through the Sabbath commandment God will give you strength, Rise, pray to Him, and He will invigorate you. Recite the Nishmat prayer, and the Kedusha, Then eat with joy, for He is pleased with you.

With twin loaves, and wine for the Kiddush, With many delicacies and a willing spirit; Those who delight in it shall merit great reward: The coming of the redeemer, and life in the World to Come.

מַה־יְּדִידוּת How beloved is your rest, Sabbath Queen, We run to greet you: Come, royal bride, Dressed in fine robes. We light the light with blessing. All labors end [as is said:] “You shall do no work.”

To savor the delights of fowl, quail and fish.

In advance all kinds of tasty food have been prepared, Fattened chickens made ready while it was still day. Varied dishes set out, and fragrant wines to drink, And special delicacies all three times.

To savor the delights of fowl, quail and fish.

They shall inherit Jacob’s heritage, a heritage unbounded, Rich and poor will honor [the Sabbath] and be worthy of redemption, If you keep the Sabbath day you will be My special treasure, Six days shall you labor – and on the seventh let us rejoice.

To savor the delights of fowl, quail and fish.

Your secular concerns are forbidden; so too are calculations. Reflections are permitted, and arranging matches for girls, And teaching a child a book, and singing songs of praise, And meditating on fine words at every place and gathering.

To savor the delights of fowl, quail and fish.

Your walk shall be unhurried; you shall call the Sabbath a delight. Sleep too is praiseworthy, for it refreshes the spirit. Therefore my soul yearns for you, to rest in you in love, As if within a fence of roses: on it son and daughter rest.

To savor the delights of fowl, quail and fish.

A foretaste of the World to Come is the day of Sabbath rest. All who take delight in it will be worthy of great joy. They will be delivered with relief from the birthpangs of the Messiah, May our redemption spring forth, and sadness and sighing flee away.

To savor the delights of fowl, quail and fish.

יוֹם זֶה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל This day for Israel is light and joy, a Sabbath of serenity. At the assembly at Sinai You decreed the laws, Sabbath and the festivals – to keep them all my years; Setting a table before me with courses of fine food – A Sabbath of serenity.

This day, for Israel, is light and joy, a Sabbath of serenity.

Heart’s delight to a shattered people, To suffering spirits, an extra soul. From troubled hearts may it banish sighs – A Sabbath of serenity.

This day, for Israel, is light and joy, a Sabbath of serenity.

You sanctified and blessed it above all other days. In six days You finished the making of all worlds. On it sad souls find quiet and safety – A Sabbath of serenity.

This day, for Israel, is light and joy, a Sabbath of serenity.

All work is forbidden by the revered One’s commandment, I will merit royal glory if I keep the Sabbath day, Bringing the awesome One a sweetly scented gift – A Sabbath of serenity.

This day, for Israel, is light and joy, a Sabbath of serenity.

Renew our Sanctuary, remember the ruined city. Bestow Your goodness, Savior, on one who is sad, Yet still she spends the Sabbath in song and praise – A Sabbath of serenity.

This day, for Israel, is light and joy, a Sabbath of serenity.

יָהּ רִבּוֹן Master of all worlds, our God, adored, King of kings, over all the LORD: Your wondrous deeds to applaud We sing to You with one accord.

God of all worlds, our God, adored; King of kings, over all, the LORD.

Early and late my praise shall ring, To You, holy Author of every thing: Beasts of the field, birds that take wing. Angels and mortals to You shall sing.

God of all worlds, our God, adored; King of kings, over all, the LORD.

Your great good deeds are vast in scale, You humble the proud, You lift the frail. A thousand years would not avail Of Your works to tell the tale.

God of all worlds, our God, adored; King of kings, over all, the LORD.

Yours is the glory, the greatness too, From the lion’s jaw, Your flock rescue. Bring Your exiles home to You: The people You chose, deliver anew.

God of all worlds, our God, adored; King of kings, over all, the LORD.

Come back to Your Temple, Your sacred shrine, That there in joy our souls may entwine. In song our voices to combine, When Jerusalem’s beauty again will shine.

God of all worlds, our God, adored; King of kings, over all, the LORD.

צָמְאָה נַפְשִׁי My soul thirsts for God, the living God My heart and flesh will sing joyfully to the living God. The One God created me, and said “As I live, No one shall see Me and live.”

My soul thirsts for God, the living God My heart and flesh will sing joyfully to the living God.

He created all with wisdom, design and deliberation, Deeply hidden though it is from the eyes of all that live. His glory is high above all, every mouth makes known His splendor, Blessed is He in whose hands is the life-force of all that lives.

My soul thirsts for God, the living God My heart and flesh will sing joyfully to the living God.

He set apart the quiet one’s offspring, to teach them decrees, Which if one performs them, thereby he shall live. Who can vindicate himself? We are like specks of dust, Truly none can vindicate itself before You, nothing that lives.

My soul thirsts for God, the living God My heart and flesh will sing joyfully to the living God.

In the heart, the inclination is like a viper’s poison, How then can we return, and be like flesh that lives? Those who have gone astray, if they wished, could turn from their way, Before they go to their rest in the place destined for all that lives.

My soul thirsts for God, the living God My heart and flesh will sing joyfully to the living God.

For everything, I shall thank You, every mouth shall declare Your oneness, You who open Your hand and satisfy all that lives. Recall the love of ancient times, and revive those who slumber, Bring near the days when the Messiah shall live.

My soul thirsts for God, the living God My heart and flesh will sing joyfully to the living God.

See who is the true mistress, when the handmaid says, “No, your son is dead while my son lives.” I will bow face down and spread my hands toward you, When I open my mouth to say: “The soul of all that lives.”

My soul thirsts for God, the living God My heart and flesh will sing joyfully to the living God.

צוּר מִשֶּׁלּוֹ The Rock from whom we have eaten: Bless Him, my faithful friends; we have sufficed, we have left over, just as the LORD said.

He feeds His world – our Shepherd, our Father, we have eaten of His bread, His wine we have drunk. So let us thank His name, let us praise Him with our mouths, saying, singing: None is holy like the LORD.

The Rock from whom we have eaten: Bless Him, my faithful friends; we have sufficed, we have left over, just as the LORD said.

With song and sound of thanks, we shall bless our God, for the gift He gave our fathers: A lovely land. With food and sustenance He has satisfied our souls. His kindness overwhelms us: True is the LORD.

The Rock from whom we have eaten: Bless Him, my faithful friends; we have sufficed, we have left over, just as the LORD said.

Have compassion in Your love for Your people, our Rock, for Zion, Your home of glory, Temple of our splendor. The son of David Your servant: may he come and redeem us, breath of our life, anointed of the LORD.

The Rock from whom we have eaten: Bless Him, my faithful friends; we have sufficed, we have left over, just as the LORD said.

May the Temple be rebuilt, Zion’s city full again; there we will sing a new song as we go up in joy, to the Compassionate, the Holy One – may He be blessed and raised on high – with a full cup of wine, sign of the blessing of the LORD.

The Rock from whom we have eaten: Bless Him, my faithful friends; we have sufficed, we have left over, just as the LORD said.