B'nai Mitzvah Guide - Blessings

PARENTS’ BLESSING

There is no prayer without prayers of the heart. We imagine that on the day of your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah, your hearts will be overflowing in prayer. You are invited to share your prayer with your child in a public way that honors your child and our community.

We invite your prayer to be aspirational. Choose to share your hopes for a Jewish future more than stories of what led to this moment.

We invite your prayer to be appropriate in length. 

We invite you to share Torah with your child. Lessons drawn from the text emphasize the value that you too find wisdom and guidance from our ancient text that we share with the congregation.

The time of this opportunity is generally after the silent Musaf Amidah and the conclusion of Musaf, Kaddish Shalem.

Blessing the Torah (ALIYAH)

Those honored with an aliyah or other honor ascend the Bima on the left staircase (as you face the Ark). After you have blessed the Torah you will remain at the lectern during the next aliyah, and then descend on the right staircase of the Bima. We request that all honorees having an aliyah (whether in-person or on Zoom during the COVID pandemic) wear a tallit and kippah (or appropriate head covering) when reciting the blessings.

Torah Blessings - Click Here

Shehecheyanu – Blessing for Special Occasions

The Shehecheyanu blessing (“Who has kept us alive”) is recited to offer thanks for new and unusual experiences (such as seeing a baby’s first steps, beginning a new year at school, dedicating a new house, tasting the first produce from a garden, etc.)  This blessing is also often recited at the beginning of all the major Jewish holidays (e.g., on the first night of Sukkot) or to celebrate any long-awaited special occasion.

Shehecheyanu Blessing

Prayer for our Country

Our God and God of our ancestors: We ask Your blessings for our country – for its government, for its leaders and advisors, insights from your Torah, that they may administer all affairs of state fairly, that peace and security, happiness and prosperity, justice and freedom may forever abide in our midst.

Creator of all flesh, bless all the inhabitants of our country with Your spirit. May citizens of all races and creeds forge a common bond in true harmony, to banish hatred and bigotry, and to safeguard the ideals and free institutions that are the pride and glory of our country.

May this land, under Your providence, be an influence for good throughout the world, uniting all people in peace and freedom – helping them to fulfill the vision of Your prophet: “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they experience war anymore.” And let us say: Amen.

Prayer for the State of Israel

Avinu She-bashamayim, Rock and Redeemer of the people Israel: Bless the State of Israel, with its promise of redemption. Shield it with Your love; spread over it the shelter of Your peace. Guide its leaders and advisors with Your light and Your truth. Help them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who defend our Holy Land. Deliver them: crown their efforts with triumph. Bless the Land with peace and its inhabitants with lasting joy. And let us say: Amen.

Prayer for the State of Israel - Hebrew Text