Traditional Birth Ceremony Blessings

Return to the Guide to Birth Ceremonies for Interfaith Families.

The Blessing Over Milah (The Mohel's Blessing)

Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and has given us the command concerning circumcision.

Phonetic Hebrew transliteration:

Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al ha-milah.

The Blessing Upon Entering the Covenant of Abraham (The Parents' Blessing)

For boy:

Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and hast commanded us to make our sons enter the covenant of Abraham our father.

Phonetic Hebrew transliteration:

Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu lihach-neeso bivreito shel Avraham aveenu.

For girl:

Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and has commanded us to bring our daughter into the covenant of Israel.

Phonetic Hebrew transliteration:

Baruch atah adonai elohaynu melech ha'olam asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'haknisa bivrito shel am yisrael.

Blessing for Entering Baby into the Covenant

ALL: Even as this child has entered into the covenant, so may he enter into the Torah, the nuptial canopy, and into good deeds.

Phonetic Hebrew transliteration:

K'sheim shenichnas brit, kein yikaneis l'Torah, l'chupah, ul'maasim tovim.

Blessing of Thanksgiving by Parents ("Birkat HaGomel") upon having survived a dangerous circumstance

Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the universe, who bestows good to sinners even as He has bestowed to me every good.

Phonetic Hebrew transliteration:

Baruch atah adonai elohaynu melech ha'olam hagomel l'chayavim tovot she-gemalani kol tov.

Three-Fold Benediction or Birkat Kolhanim ("Priestly Blessing")

May God bless you and guard you.

May God make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

May God turn His face unto you and grant you peace.

Phonetic Hebrew transliteration:

Y'varekh'kha Adonai v'yishm'rekha;

Ya'ar Adonai Panav ay'lekha viy'hunekha;

Yisa Adonai Panav ay'lekha, v'yasaym l'kha shalom.

The Guide to Birth Ceremonies for Interfaith Families is also available in PDF or Word formats.