The first part of the traditional blessing connects the child to a long line of Jewish heroes and heroines with characteristics worth emulating. It asks God to bless a son like God blessed Ephraim and Menashe (Joseph's sons who, according to commentators, are the only brothers in the Bible who did not have a competitive relationship). For a daughter, it asks God to bless her in the way God blessed Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, foremothers who possessed qualities of strength and softness, modesty, and conviction. The second part of the blessing asks for more general guidance from God:
May God bless you and guard you.
May God show you favor and be gracious to you.
May God show you kindness and grant you peace.
In a remarkable way, the traditional blessing for children on Friday night links us back to the profound feelings we experienced at the moment of birth--the power of a legacy this child is inheriting, coupled with the profound responsibilities we feel to protect and care for our child.
May God bless you and guard you.
May God show you favor and be gracious to you.
May God show you kindness and grant you peace.
In a remarkable way, the traditional blessing for children on Friday night links us back to the profound feelings we experienced at the moment of birth--the power of a legacy this child is inheriting, coupled with the profound responsibilities we feel to protect and care for our child.