There are a number of traditional blessings that Jews recite during Shabbat, including blessings over candles, wine, challah and more.

Lighting the Shabbat Candles
After lighting the Shabbat candles on Friday night, recite the following blessing:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת.
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam.
Asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’zivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of time and space.
You hallow us with Your mitzvot and command us to kindle the lights of Shabbat.

Blessing the Children
It is custom to bless children after lighting the candles on Shabbat with the following blessing:

 

For female identifying children:
.יְשִׂמֵךְ אֱלֹהִים כְּשָׂרָה, כְּרִבְקָה, כְּרָחֵל, וּכְלֵאָה

Y’simeich Elohim k’Sarah, k’Rivkah, k’Rachel, ooch’Leah.
May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.

 

For male identifying children:
.יְשִׂמְךָ אֱלֹהִים כְּאֶפְרַֽיִם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁה

Y’simcha Elohim k’Efrayim v’chi-Menasheh.
May God make you like Ephraim and Menasheh.

 

For children of all genders including non-binary genders:
.יְהִי רָצוֹן שֶׁשַּׁבָּת זוֹ תַּשְׁרֶה (שֶׁחַג זֶה יַשְׁרֶה) עָלֵינוּ אוֹרָה, שִׂמְחָה, וְשָׁלוֹם

Y’hi ratzon sheShabbat zo tashreh [shechag zeh yashreh] aleinu orah, simcha, v’shalom.
(Note: omit ‘sheShabbat zo tashreh’ when saying this blessing for a holiday)
May this Shabbat [holiday] bring us light, joy, and peace.

 

A second blessing for all children:
.יְבָרֶכְךָ יְיָ וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ
.יָאֵר יְיָ פָּנָיו אֵלֶֽיךָ וִיחֻנֶּֽךָּ
.יִשָּׂא יְיָ פָּנָיו אֵלֶֽיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם

Y’varechecha Adonai v’yish’m’recha.
Ya-er Adonai panav eilecha vichuneka.
Yisa Adonai panav eilecha
v’yaseim l’cha shalom.
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.

 

Blessing over Wine
The Kiddush, or blessing over wine is recited on Friday night after the candles have been lit.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ,
.מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, borei p’ri hagafen.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

 

Blessing over Challah
Before the Shabbat meal begins, we say the HaMotzi, or blessing over the challah.

.בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu melech haolam, hamotzi lechem min haaretz.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who brings forth bread from the earth.

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