Shabbat Prayers

Candles should be lit no later than 18 minutes before sundown. For the precise time when shabbat begins in your area, consult the list of candle lighting times provided by the Orthodox Union or any Jewish calendar.

At least two candles should be lit, representing the dual commandments to remember and to keep the sabbath. The candles are lit by the woman of the household. After lighting, she waives her hands over the candles, welcoming in the sabbath. Then she covers her eyes, so as not to see the candles before reciting the blessing, and recites the blessing. The hands are then removed from the eyes, and she looks at the candles, completing the mitzvah of lighting the candles.

Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam,
Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe,

asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu
who sanctifies us with his commandments, and commands us

l’had’lik neir shel shabbat (Amein)
to light the candles of Shabbat (Amen)

Blessing Our Children

Before dinner, it is customary for parents to bless their children. Traditionally, they lightly place their hands on the child's head while reciting the following blessing:

For Sons:

Y'simcha elohim k'efrayim v'chim'nasheh

For Daughters:

Y'simcha elohim ksarah rivkah rahel v'lei'ah

For all children:

Y'varech'cha adonai v'yishm'recha
Ya'eir adonai panav eilecha vihuneka
Yisa adonai panav eilecha v'yaseim l'cha shalom

Baruch Ata Ado-nai Elo-heinu Melech Ha'Olam, Borei peri ha'gafen
Blessed are You, Holy Master, our G-d, King of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine.

Baruch Ata Ado-nai Elo-heinu Melech Ha'Olam, asher kideshanu b'mitzvotav v'ratzah vanu,
v'Shabbat kodsho b'ahavah u'v'ratzon hinchilanu zikaron l'maaseh bereshit;
Blessed are You, Holy Master, our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments and desired us,
And His holy Shabbat with love and pleasure He gave to us as an inheritance, as a remembrance of the Act of Creation.

Ki hu yom techilah le'mikraei kodesh, zeicher li'yetziat Mitzrayim;
Ki vanu vacharta v'otanu kidashta mi'kol ha'amim, V'Shabbat kodshecha be'ahavah u've'ratzon hinchaltanu;
Baruch ata Ado-nai Mekadesh Ha'Shabbat
For Shabbat is the first of the holidays, which are remembrances of the Exodus from Egypt.
For You have chosen us, and made us holy from all the nations, and You gave us Your holy Shabbat with love and pleasure;
Blessed are You, Holy Master, Who sanctifies the Shabbat.

The people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath. Observing the Sabbath in every generation as a covenant of all time. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel, for in six days the Eternal G-d made heaven and earth, taking rest and refreshment on the seventh day.

Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, ha-motzi lehem min ha-aretz.
English Translation: Blessed are you, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.