tagged: Prayers on behalf of children • the Open Siddur Project ✍ פְּרוֺיֶקְט הַסִּדּוּר הַפָּתוּחַ https://opensiddur.org/tagged/prayers-for-children/ a community-grown, libre Open Access archive of Jewish prayer and liturgical resources Wed, 07 Oct 2026 03:43:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://opensiddur.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Open-Siddur-Project-Logo-2015-5509b4bdv1_site_icon-250x250.png tagged: Prayers on behalf of children • the Open Siddur Project ✍ פְּרוֺיֶקְט הַסִּדּוּר הַפָּתוּחַ https://opensiddur.org/tagged/prayers-for-children/ 32 32 Gebet einer Mutter, wenn ihr Sohn durch die Beschneidung in den Bund der Israeliten aufgenommen wird | Prayer of a mother when her son is taken into the covenant of the Israelites through circumcision, a teḥinah by Yehoshua Heshil Miro (1829) https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/jewish-life-cycle/brit-milah-and-simhat-bat/gebet-einer-mutter-wenn-ihr-sohn-durch-die-beschneidung-in-den-bund-der-israeliten-aufgenommen-wird-b-yehoshua-heshil-miro-1829/ https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/jewish-life-cycle/brit-milah-and-simhat-bat/gebet-einer-mutter-wenn-ihr-sohn-durch-die-beschneidung-in-den-bund-der-israeliten-aufgenommen-wird-b-yehoshua-heshil-miro-1829/#respond Wed, 04 May 2022 21:18:59 +0000 https://opensiddur.org/?p=44196 בית יעקב (Beit Yaaqov) Allgemeines Gebetbuch für gebildete Frauen mosaischer Religion. It first appears in the 1829 edition, תחנות Teḥinot ein Gebetbuch für gebildete Frauenzimmer mosaischer Religion as teḥinah №59 on pp. 85-86. In the 1835 edition, it appears as teḥinah №61 on pp. 108-109. In the 1842 edition, it appears as teḥinah №64 on pp. 113-114.]]> Source (German) Translation (English)
Gebet einer Mutter, wenn ihr Sohn durch die Beschneidung in den Bund der Israeliten aufgenommen wird.
Prayer of a mother when her son is taken into the covenant of the Israelites through circumcision.
So erschüttert auch ein Mutterherz ist, wenn ein Schmerz ihr Kind trifft, so ergebe ich mich doch zu dieser Stunde in deinen Willen, allgütiger Vater, in dem Augenblick, wo mein geliebtes Kind durch Schmerzen in den Bund mit Gott und in die Gemeinschaft des Volkes Israel gebracht wird. Möge ihm dieser Schmerz bei seinem Eintritt ins Leben eine Mahnung sein, daß das wahre Glück des Lebens stets durch Schmerz und Leiden erkauft wird, daß die Bestimmung des Menschen hieniden ist, durch mannigfache Leiden zum Ziele zu gelangen.
As shaken as a mother’s heart is when a pain strikes her child, I surrender myself to your will at this hour, all-good Father, at the moment when my beloved child is brought through pain into the covenant with God and into the fellowship of the people of Israel. May this pain at his entrance into life be a reminder to him that the true happiness of life is always purchased by pain and suffering, that the destiny of man here below is to reach the goal through manifold sufferings.
Möge mit seiner körperlichen Vorhaut auch die Vorhaut seines Herzens schwinden, und möge die böse Begierde nie darin wohnen.
May the foreskin of his heart fade with his physical foreskin, and may evil desire never dwell in it.
Ein guter Geist möge stets in ihm wohnen, und ihn anleiten, dem Willen Gottes gemäß zu leben.
May a good spirit always dwell in him and guide him to live according to the will of God.
Unser frommer Urvater Abraham, der im 90sten Jahre durch die Beschneidung in den Bund mit Gott getreten ist, dessen treue Anhänglichkeit, dessen fester Glaube an Gott ihm zur Tugend angerechnet worden, und zu dem Gott der Herr sprach: Wandle vor mir, und sei aufrichtig (1. Mose 17,1),
Our pious forefather Abraham, who entered into the covenant with God in his 90th year through circumcision, whose faithful devotion, whose firm faith in God was counted to him as virtue, and to whom the Lord God said: “Walk before me and be upright (Genesis 17:1),
leuchte meinem Sohne auf seiner Lebensbahn vor, und lehre ihn, alles aufzuopfern, was die Erde schönes, was das Leben herrliches hat, um der Tugend willen. Im Wege der Tugend finde er die Glückseligkeit und die Bahn zur Unsterblichkeit. Amen.
shine before my son on his path of life, and teach him to sacrifice everything that is beautiful on earth, everything that is glorious in life, for the sake of virtue. In the way of virtue he will find happiness and the path to immortality. Amen.

“Gebet einer Mutter, wenn ihr Sohn durch die Beschneidung in den Bund der Israeliten aufgenommen wird” was translated/adapted by Yehoshua Heshil Miro and published in his anthology of teḥinot, בית יעקב (Beit Yaaqov) Allgemeines Gebetbuch für gebildete Frauen mosaischer Religion. It first appears in the 1829 edition, תחנות Teḥinot ein Gebetbuch für gebildete Frauenzimmer mosaischer Religion as teḥinah №59 on pp. 85-86. In the 1835 edition, it appears as teḥinah №61 on pp. 108-109. In the 1842 edition, it appears as teḥinah №64 on pp. 113-114.

We welcome corrections and improvements. The transcription of the German from Latin script in Fraktur type provided machine-readable text for a machine translation by DeepL, which we then edited for accuracy and clarity. –Aharon Varady

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]]> https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/jewish-life-cycle/brit-milah-and-simhat-bat/gebet-einer-mutter-wenn-ihr-sohn-durch-die-beschneidung-in-den-bund-der-israeliten-aufgenommen-wird-b-yehoshua-heshil-miro-1829/feed/ 0 תחינה פאר א אִשָּׁה פאר דעד חוּפָּה פון איר זון ארער איר טאָכטער | Tkhine for a mother to say before the wedding of her daughter (19th c.) https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/jewish-life-cycle/weddings/thine-for-a-woman-to-say-before-the-wedding-of-her-daughter/ https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/jewish-life-cycle/weddings/thine-for-a-woman-to-say-before-the-wedding-of-her-daughter/#respond Fri, 16 Aug 2019 18:59:37 +0000 https://opensiddur.org/?p=26456 Source (Yiddish) Translation (English)
תחינה פאר א אִשָּׁה פאר דעד חוּפָּה פון איר זון ארער איר טאָכטער
Prayer for a Woman [to say] Before the Wedding of her Daughter
װיכטיג און הײליג איז פאר מיר הײנטיגער טאָג. און שעצבּאר און טײער איז פאר מיר די שטונדע װעלכע דו מײן הימלישער בארעמהערציגער פאָטער האָסט מיר מְזַכֶּה געװען הײנט צו דערלעבּן מיט א הארץ פול נַחַת און פרײדע צוזאמען מיט מײן מאן. צו פירן מײן קינד אונטער דער חוּפָה מיט איר בּאשערטן װעלכן דו גרױסער אלמאכטיגער גאָט פאר איהר בּעשטימט האָסט.
Vital and holy is this day to me, and precious and dear is this moment, that You, my kind and merciful Father have granted me the merit to be alive today, with heart full of pride and joy, together with my husband.; to lead my daughter under the Ḥupah with her betrothed, whom You, great and Almighty G-d, have set aside for her.
שװאך איז מײן הארץ. קראפטלאָז איז מײן מױל דיר גינעדיגער גאָט פאר דײנע גרױסע חַסָדִים אצינד צו דאנקען. נאָר דיא הײסע פרײדען טרערן װעלכע מײנע אױגן רעגענען פאר דיר אין דיזער שטונדע. נאָר זײ זײנען מײנע עֵדוּת אױף אלע מײנע געפילע דער דאנק און דער לױבּ װאָס מײן פולע הארץ עמפּפינדעט אצינד פאר דיר׃
The warm tears of joy pouring from my eyes, they alone are witnesses to my feeling of gratitude and the praise that my full heart now expresses to You.
רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם. דו בּיסט דאָך דער אלמעכטיגער הערשער פון דער גאנצער װעלט. צִדְקָתְךָ כְּהַרְרֵי אֵל. דײנע צִדְקוּת און דײנע חַסָדִים זײנען גרױס װיא געטליכע בּערג. גרעניצלאָז איז דײנע גוטע. אונענדליך איז דײנע רַחְמָנוּת. און װעלכער מענטש איז אומשטאנדע דיר צו דאנקען פאר אלע טעגליכע חַסָדִים און װאונדער װעלכע דו טוסט מיט אים. עס ציטערט מיר מײן הארץ בּײא דער עראינערוע װיא גרױס דוא בּיסט שטארקער גאָט אין דײנער מאכט און דײנע גוטע און חַסָדִים. און װיא קלײן און זינדיג װיא שװאך און שָׁפֵל זײנען מיר מענטשן װעלכע זעטיגן אונז טעגליך פון דײן פולע האנד און פערגעסין דײנע גרױסע חַסָדִים.
Master of the World, You are indeed the Almighty ruler of the entire world; Your righteousness and kindness are great as the Divine Mountains; Your good deeds are unlimited; Your mercy is incomparable. What man can adequately thank You for all Your daily kindnesses and wonders that You do for him. My heart trembles at Your greatness and might, Your goodness and kindness, in contrast to our insignificance and sinfulness, to our weakness and lowliness, to us humans who are satisfied daily from Your full Hand, even while forgetting Your great kindness.
אֵל אֱלֹהֵי מָרוֹם הַיוֹדֵעַ רָזֵי לֵב. הימלישער גאָט װעלכער דו װײסט די געהײמניסע פון יעדע הארץ. דו װײסט דאָך װאָס עס קומט אצינד פאָר אין מײן הארצן. װיפיל איך װײס צו שעצן דײנע גוטע. צו אכטן דײנע חַסָדִים. און אנערקענען דײנע װאונדער װעלכע דו האָסט מיר בּיז הײנט בּעװיזען. ערהערע מיך ערבּארמיגער גאָט. און ענטציהע מיר נישט דײנע הימלישע חַסָדִים בּיז מײן גאנצן לעבּן. שיק דײן געטליכע בְּרָכָה פון הימל צו דיזן פון דיר בּעשטימטן גליקליכן טאָג. בעקרױן אים מיט דײן הײליגן װילן און מיט דײנע פאָטערליכע בּארעמהערציגקײט. דר זאָלסט עפענען די טױערן פון חֵן און פון חֶסֶד פאר מײן קינד אין די אױגן פון איהר בּאשערטן. זי זאָל בּײ אים אין הױז געפינען נאָר שָׁלוֹם וְשַׁלְוָה. פרידן און רוהע. פערזאָג דײנע גוטע מַלְאָכִים זײא זאָלן איר בּעשירעמען פון אלע בײזעס און פון אלעס שלעכטעם. פון קריג, שִׁנְאָה, און צוריסנקײט װעלכע צושטערן דיא רוהע פון הױז׃
G-d in Heaven, Who knows what is concealed in every heart; indeed You know what now is in my own heart, how I do value the good that You do, cherishing Your kindness, recognizing the wonders that You have wrought for me until today; hear me, benevolent G-d, and suppress not Your heavenly kindness all the days of my life. Send Your heavenly blessing to this day that You have made fortunate. Crown this day with Your holy will and with Your fatherly benevolence; open the gates of grace and kindness, for my child in the eyes of her betrothed, that she shall find in his home only peace and tranquility, joy and ease. Command your good angels that they shall protect her from any wrath and malice, from conflict, hate and ambiguity, which disrupts the peace in the home.
איך זאָל דערלעבּן צו האָבּן נַחַת פון מײן קינד װעלכע איז מיר אזױ שװער אָנגעקומען. דען זי איז דאָך מײן אײנציגע נְחָמָה אין מײן לעבּן׃ וְצָמְחוּ כֶּחָצִיר עַל יִבְלֵי מַיִם׃ און זײ זאָלן שפראָצן װיא גראָז אױף טײכן װאסער׃ און איך זאָל זוֹכֶה זײן צו זעהן זײערע פרוכט זאָל זײן הײליג פאר דיר גרױסער גאָט. זײ זאָלן מְגַדֵל זײן זײערע קינדער אין די װעגן פון דײן הײליגע תּוֹרָה און יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם׃ און איך דײן דינסט װעל שטענדיג װיסן צו לױבּן און צו דאנקן דײן הײליגן נאָמען׃ װיא דָוִד הַמֶלֶךְ עָלָיו הַשָׁלוֹם האָט געזאָגט. אֲהַלְלָה שֵׁם אֶלֹהִים בְּשִׁיר וַאֲגַדְלֶנוּ בְּתוֹדָה׃ איך װעל לױבּן דעם נאָמען פון מײן גאָט מיט געזאנג און איך װעל אין אים גרױסן מיט דאנק בּיז דעם ענדע פון מײן גאנצן לעבּן. אָמֵן׃
May I live to see Nachas and pride from my child, whose upbringing has been so demanding, for she is indeed the singular comfort in my life. May they propagate like grass at the river’s edge, and may I merit to see that their fruits are holy before You, oh great L-rd. May they raise their children in the ways of Your Holy Torah and the Fear of G-d. And I, your servant, will continually know to praise and thank Your Holy Name; as in the words of King David of righteous memory: I will praise the Name of my G-d with song and I will extol Him with thanksgiving, until the end of the days of my life; Amen.

This tkhine was translated from the סידור קרבן מנחה (Siddur Qorban Minḥah 1897) by Mendel Spalter. The tkhine can also be found in earlier and later editions of the Siddur Qorban Minḥah.

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]]> https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/jewish-life-cycle/weddings/thine-for-a-woman-to-say-before-the-wedding-of-her-daughter/feed/ 0 Prayer of a mother for her sick infant child, by Marcus Heinrich Bresslau (1852) https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/well-being-health-and-caregiving/prayer-of-a-mother-for-her-sick-infant-child-by-marcus-heinrich-bresslau-1852/ https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/well-being-health-and-caregiving/prayer-of-a-mother-for-her-sick-infant-child-by-marcus-heinrich-bresslau-1852/#respond Mon, 15 Jun 2020 10:07:18 +0000 https://opensiddur.org/?p=32152 Contribute a translation Source (English)
Scarcely has this child lovingly smiled upon me, scarcely has it recognised me, and its head already inclines to the valley of sorrow. O Divine compassion, from the lowest depths cries unto Thee the mother’s heart penetrated with unspeakable suffering; spare, all-kind Father this hardly budded flower, spare it, Father of mercy, and do not withdraw from me this good, the loss of which I should scarcely be able to overcome. Send to me, O Father, as Thou sendest unto the “Shunamite ” who mourned for her heavily sick child, a messenger of help, so that I may not be deprived of the precious gift which Thou hast presented me. Didst Thou not instruct us through Thy prophet. “Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver Thee, and Thou shalt glorify me!”[1] Psalms 50:15.  And through Thy prophet Isaiah Thou didst promise to Thy people of Israel אֶצֹּק רוּחִי עַל־זַרְעֶךָ וּבִרְכָתִי עַל־צֶאֱצָאֶיךָ “I will pour out my spirit upon Thy seed, and my blessing upon Thy offspring:”[2] Isaiah 44:3.  extend then also this paternal promise to my child, bestow upon it health and long life. Yes, O Father, hope whispers to me: that Thou only wouldst prove my trust in Thee, Thou hast not determined on the death of my child, and after the short night, which now overclouds me, many delightful days will follow. Amen.

“Prayer of a Sick Child” was first published in Marcus Heinrich Bresslau’s collection of teḥinot, Teḥinot Banot Yisrael: Devotions for the Daughters of Israel (1852).

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Notes

Notes
1 Psalms 50:15.
2 Isaiah 44:3.
]]> https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/well-being-health-and-caregiving/prayer-of-a-mother-for-her-sick-infant-child-by-marcus-heinrich-bresslau-1852/feed/ 0 Prayer for a Sick Child, by Rabbi Moritz Mayer (1866) https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/well-being-health-and-caregiving/prayer-for-a-sick-child-by-moritz-mayer-1866/ https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/well-being-health-and-caregiving/prayer-for-a-sick-child-by-moritz-mayer-1866/#respond Mon, 22 Jun 2020 22:51:08 +0000 https://opensiddur.org/?p=32416 Contribute a translation Source (English)
O All-merciful Father! from the depth of my aggrieved heart I implore Thee: spare my child, do not take away this treasure that Thou gavest unto me from Thine boundless grace and goodness. I know, this treasure is Thine as all other boons which I call mine; thou disposest of them according to Thy holy will. Oh! may it be Thy holy will to preserve for me this precious jewel! Once Thou spokest unto Thy suffering Congregation: “Call unto me in need, and I shall hear thee!”[1] Jeremiah 33:3.  And through the inspired Isaiah Thou gavest the consoling assurance unto Thy people Israel: “I will pour my spirit upon thy children, and my blessing upon thine offspring!”[2] Isaiah 44:3 part.  Oh! extend this paternal promise also upon my child, grant him (her) health and long life.
And unto me grant strength in all the cares and trials of life, fortify my courage in the fulfillment of my duties and in the endurance of all the heavy burdens that Thy paternal hands may impose upon me. In Thee, God! I trust, for Thou art nigh unto all who call upon Thee. Amen.

“Prayer for a Sick Child” is one of thirty prayers appearing in Rabbi Moritz Mayer’s collection of tehinot, Hours of Devotion (1866), of uncertain provenance and which he may have written. –Aharon Varady

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Notes

Notes
1 Jeremiah 33:3.
2 Isaiah 44:3 part.
]]> https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/well-being-health-and-caregiving/prayer-for-a-sick-child-by-moritz-mayer-1866/feed/ 0 Gyermekek üdvéért | Gebet für das Heil des Kindes | Prayer for the well-being of children, by Rabbi Arnold Kiss (1897) https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/child-care/gyermekek-udveert-gebet-fur-das-heil-des-kindes-prayer-for-the-well-being-of-children-by-arnold-kiss-1904/ https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/child-care/gyermekek-udveert-gebet-fur-das-heil-des-kindes-prayer-for-the-well-being-of-children-by-arnold-kiss-1904/#respond Wed, 25 Aug 2021 20:50:20 +0000 https://opensiddur.org/?p=38731 Mirjam on p.291-293 of the original Magyar edition and p. 546-549 of the subsequent German edition. I've set separate English translations side-by-side with the Magyar and German in order to highlight the subtle differences between the two. As I am not a native speaker of German or Magyar, please correct and improve upon my effort. --Aharon Varady]]> Source (Magyar, 1897) Translation of Magyar (English) Source (German, 1907) Translation of German (English)
Hozzád fordulok Istenem! az én imáim legforróbb sóhajával. Nagy kincseket adtál énnekem, őrizem őket, mint a szememnek fényét, és bennük, és velük vagyok én boldog. Gyönge karom van énnekem, hanem te tudod Istenem! hogy milyen rettegéssel féltem én ezeket az én javaimat, és milyen harczot tudnék állani, ha életem árán is, vihartól és vésztől megvédhetnem őket.
I turn to you, my God, with the most ardent sigh of my prayers. You have given me great treasures, I keep them as the light of my eyes, and in them and with them I am happy. I have a weak arm, but you know, O God, with what terror I have worried about these my possessions, and what a battle I would put-up, if I could defend them from storm and tempest, even at the cost of my life.
An Dich wende ich mich, mein Gott! mit meinen heissesten, innigsten Gebeten. Grosse Schätze hast Du mir gegeben, wie meiner Augen Licht behüte ich sie, und mit, und in ihnen finde ich mein Glück. Schwach sind meine Arme, doch Du weisst es mein Gott! mit welch zitternder Angst ich diese meine Kostbarkeiten behüte, und welche Kämpfe ich selbst um den Preis meines Lebens bestehen würde, wenn ich sie vor Stürmen und Gefahren erretten könnte.
To you, my God, I turn with my most fervent, intimate prayers. Great treasures you have given me, like the light of my eyes I guard them, and with them and in them I find my happiness. Weak are my arms, but you know it my God! with what trembling fear I guard these my treasures, and what struggles I would endure even at the cost of my life, if I could save them from storms and dangers.
A gyermekeimet ajánlom uram! Istenem! a te kegyelmedbe — a gyermekeim az én szivemnek drágaságos kincsei. De mit érnek az én óhajaim, az én küzdelmeim, az én föltevéseim, az én védelmükben való bátorságom, az én érettük való rettegésem, ha te jóságos Istenem! másképpen végeztél volna az ö jövendőjükről, mint ahogyan én azt hivő szívvel megálmodtam? Akkor hiuságos volna az én törekvésem és czéltálán az én egész életem.
I commend my children, my lord! O God, into your mercy — my children are the precious treasures of my heart. But what are my desires, my struggles, my assumptions, my courage in their defence, my fears for them, worth, if you, good God, had decided their future in a different way from what I had dreamed of with a believing heart? Then would my endeavour and my whole life have been vain.
Meine Kinder empfehle ich Deiner Gnade, mein Gott und Herr! — meine Kinder, die kostbarsten Schätze meines Herzens. Doch was nützen meine Wünsche, meine Kämpfe, meine Vorsätze, mein Mut, wenn es gilt sie zu beschützen, — meine Angst um sie, wenn Du, mein gütiger Schöpfer! über ihre Zukunft anders verfügt hättest, als wie ich es mit gläubigem Herzen erträumte? Nichtig und eitel wäre dann mein Streben, und zwecklos mein ganzes Leben.
My children I commend to your mercy, my God and Lord! — my children, the most precious treasures of my heart. But what use are my wishes, my struggles, my resolutions, my courage, when it is necessary to protect them, — my fear for them, if you, my kind Creator! would have decreed for their future differently than I dreamed with a believing heart? Then my striving would be futile and vain, and my whole life useless.
Oh légy az én segítségemre nagy munkámban, magasztos hivatásomban! Váltsad be boldog valóra éjszakáim gyakori álmodásait, imáim sejtelmes kivánságait! Ne ejtsed el a terveimet ővelük, amidőn halálom napjáig szerencsésnek, boldognak, megelégedettnek szeretném őket látni, — és akkor is majd, ha én már nem leszek, onnan a túlvilágból hadd lássam okét, és a házaikat a földi üdvösségnek napfényétől megaranyozott boldogságban.
O be my help in my great work, in my lofty calling! Turn into happy reality the frequent dreams of my nights, the mysterious desires of my prayers. You shall not frustrate my plans for them, while I wish to see them happy, contented, and happy till the day of my death, — and even when I am gone, let me see from thence in the hereafter their cause, and their homes in the gilded bliss of earthly salvation.
Oh stehe mir bei in meiner grossen Aufgabe, bei meinem erhabenem Berufe! Oh lasse zur glücklichen Wahrheit werden die häufigen Träume meiner Nächte, meine ahnungsvollen Gebete! Verhindere nicht meine Pläne, wenn ich sie bis zur Stunde meines Todes glücklich und zufrieden sehen möchte, und selbst dann, wenn ich nicht mehr bin, oh lasse es mich noch vom Jenseits erschauen, dass ihr Heim in den goldenen Sonnenstrahlen der irdischen Seligkeit des Glückes leuchtet.
Oh help me in my great task, in my sublime profession! Oh let the frequent dreams of my nights, my foreboding prayers become a happy truth! Do not hinder my plans, if I want to see them happy and satisfied until the hour of my death, and even then, when I am no more, oh let it still be seen by me from the hereafter that their home shines in the golden sunbeams of the earthly bliss of happiness.
Annyi veszedelem fenyegeti az ember testét és lelkét ezen a világon: ármány és irigykedés, gonoszság és tőrvetés, bánat és csalatkozás, betegség és fájdalom: óh ne engedj ezek közül egyet sem az én édes gyermekeimhez közel férkőzni! Tartsad meg a testüknek épségét, hogy bármerre járnak, hogy bármilyen utakra vezetné őket jövendőjüknek végzete, a te kegyelmed virrasszon fölöttük mindenkoron. Oltalmazd meg a lelkűket, hogy szenvedés fel ne dúlja nyugalmukat; maradjanak, haladjanak mindég a nemes gondolatok és érzelmek, a vallásosság és istenbizodalom ösvényein, hogy lebenned bízva el ne csüggedjenek sohasem.
So many dangers threaten the body and soul of man in this world: treachery and envy, malice and cruelty, sorrow and disappointment, sickness and pain: oh let none of these things come near my sweet children! Keep their flesh intact, that wherever they go, whatever paths their future destiny may lead them, your grace may watch over them always. Protect their souls, that suffering may not overtake their tranquillity; let them abide, let them go on ever in noble thoughts and of piety and godliness, so that they may live trusting in you, and never be discouraged.
Von so vielen Gefahren wird der Körper und die Seele des Menschen bedroht auf Erden: von Missgunst und Neid, Bosheit und Feindseligkeit, Kummer und Enttäuschung, Krankheit und Schmerz — oh vor allem Bösen behüte meine teuern Kinder! Erhalte sie mir in Gesundheit, dass wo sie auch sein mögen, auf welchen Pfaden das Schicksal ihre Zukunft auch lenken wird, Deine Gnade stets zu allen Zeiten über sie wache. Behüte ihre Seele, dass kein Leid, kein Kummer ihren Frieden störe; sie mögen stets auf dem Wege der edlen Denkungsart, der Gottesfurcht und Frömmigkeit wandeln, auf dass sie Dir vertrauend, niemals verzagen sollen.
From so many dangers the body and the soul of man is threatened on earth: from ill-will and envy, malice and hostility, sorrow and disappointment, illness and pain — oh from all evil protect my dear children! Keep them in good health, that wherever they may be, on whatever paths fate may direct their future, your grace may always watch over them at all times. Protect their souls so that no sorrow, no grief may disturb their peace; may they always walk on the path of noble thinking, the fear of God and piety, so that they, trusting in you, may never despair.
Köszönöm néked jóságos Istenem! hogy eddig is megőrizted őket az én örömömre és üdvösségemre és látnom engeded életük zavartalan folyását. Köszönöm neked, hogy fájdalom nélkül viselhetem a nőnek legszebb disznevét, az „anya“ nevet, és hogy hálával ismerhetem meg a te irgalmadnak, a te jóságodnak végtelenségét irányomban, és gyermekeimmel szemben.
I thank you, good God, that you have preserved them hitherto for my joy and salvation, and have allowed me to see the unhindered course of their lives. I thank you that I can wear without pain the most beautiful, honorable title of a woman, “Mother,” and that I can know with gratitude the infinitude of your mercy, your goodness toward me and my children.
Aus tiefstem Herzen danke ich Dir mein Gott! dass Du sie bisher, zu meiner Wonne, zu meinem Glück bewahrtest, behütetest, und ich ihren ungestörten Lebenslauf sehen konnte. In Dankgebeten lobpreise ich Deinen heiligen Namen, dass ich den schönsten Ehrennamen der Frau: Mutter, ohne Schmerzen tragen, und in Dankbarkeit Deine endlose Güte und Barmherzigkeit gegen mich und meine Kinder annerkennen kann.
From the bottom of my heart I thank you, my God, that you have preserved and protected them until now, to my delight, to my happiness, and that I could see their undisturbed course of life. In prayers of thanksgiving I praise your holy name, that I may bear the most beautiful honorary title of a woman: Mother — without pain, and in gratitude acknowledge your endless goodness and mercy towards me and my children.
Jusson elébed imádságom ez órán, Istenem! Ámen.
May my prayer come to you this hour, O God. Amen.
Mein Gebet komme vor Dich in dieser Stunde, mein Gott! Amen.
May my prayer comes before you in this hour, my God! Amen.

This prayer for the well-being of children by Rabbi Arnold Kiss, “Gyermekek üdvéért” (Magyar, 1897) and “Gebet für das Heil des Kindes” (German, 1907), was first published in his anthology of prayers for Jewish women, Mirjam on p.291-293 of the original Magyar edition and p. 546-549 of the subsequent German edition. I’ve set separate English translations side-by-side with the Magyar and German in order to highlight the subtle differences between the two. –Aharon Varady

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]]> https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/child-care/gyermekek-udveert-gebet-fur-das-heil-des-kindes-prayer-for-the-well-being-of-children-by-arnold-kiss-1904/feed/ 0 On Entering a Child in Religious School (CCAR 1951) https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/learning/on-entering-a-child-in-religious-school-ccar-1951/ https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/learning/on-entering-a-child-in-religious-school-ccar-1951/#respond Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:14:32 +0000 https://opensiddur.org/?p=66935 Union Home Prayer Book (CCAR 1951), pp. 55-56.]]> Contribute a translation Source (English)
“These words which I command you this day
shall be upon thy heart….
and thou shalt teach them diligently
unto Thy children.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
Eternal Father, Source of all knowledge,
Guide and Teacher of the generations of men:
Thou hast revealed Thyself unto Thy children
in the order and beauty of nature,
in the promptings of human conscience
and in the loyal devotion of sacred tradition.
The knowledge of Thee is reborn
in the hearts and minds of all children.
“Out of the mouths of babes
hast Thou established Thy strength” (Psalms 8:3).
Thou hast commanded us
to foster this natural knowledge of Thee,
that it may grow strong through knowledge,
express itself in worship,
and become ennobled through deeds
of mercy and justice to all Thy children.
As Ḥannah brought the child Samuel
to learn and serve in Thy house,
as every older generation brought its children
to synagogue and school,
as my own beloved parents brought me
into Thy house that I may study Thy law,
so do I now bring my child to be enrolled
among those who seek to know Thy ways
and to follow the path of Thy commandments.
O God of Knowledge,
grant, I pray Thee, that this child of mine
grow in heart and mind.
May the story of Thy guidance of the household of Israel,
the discipline of the Law
which they obeyed as Thy will,
the mandate of righteousness
which the prophets spoke in Thy name,
all enter the life of my son/daughter
that he/she may be matured in knowledge
and in the reverence of Thee.
Amen.

“On Entering a Child in Religious School” is the thirteenth prayer in the “Personal Prayers for Special Occassions” section of the Union Home Prayer Book (CCAR 1951), pp. 55-56. Unfortunately, as with so many of the prayers published as a result of CCAR committees from this period and earlier, we cannot yet attribute this prayer to any known author. (If you know, please leave a comment or contact us.)

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]]> https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/learning/on-entering-a-child-in-religious-school-ccar-1951/feed/ 0 שמחת בת | Simḥat Bat of Amalya Shaḥar Exler-Kaunfer, by Rabbi Elie Kaunfer and Lisa Exler https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/jewish-life-cycle/brit-milah-and-simhat-bat/simhat-bat-of-amalya-shahar-exler-kaunfer/ https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/jewish-life-cycle/brit-milah-and-simhat-bat/simhat-bat-of-amalya-shahar-exler-kaunfer/#respond Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:55:50 +0000 http://opensiddur.net/?p=640 R’ Elie Kaunfer and Lisa Exler kindly shared the Simḥat Bat ceremony they prepared for their daughter this past Monday, May 31st, at Fort Tryon Jewish Center.

This Simḥat Bat is really distinguished by Rabbi Kaunfer’s innovation in using milk in the context of a covenant ceremony. From the explanatory notes:

In place of the blood of the slaughtered bulls from the covenantal ceremony in Exodus, we looked for another substance to effect the covenant ceremony. Amalya was born right after Shavuot, on which we have a tradition to eat dairy. In fact, milk itself is associated with the acceptance of Torah, as described in the following Midrash which quotes a verse from Song of Songs (4:11):

Sweetness drops from your lips, O bride; honey and milk are under your tongue and the scent of your robes is like the scent of Lebanon.

Simḥat Bat of Amalya Shaḥar Exler-Kaunfer PDF | ODT | TXT
Hebrew English
שמחת בת של עמליה שחר בת הרב אליעזר גרשון ולאה פייגע
Simḥat Bat of Amalya Shaḥar Exler-Kaunfer
May 31, 2010 · 18 Sivan 5770

Welcoming Amalya Shaḥar
As Amalya enters the room, carried by her Savta Marcia Kaunfer, we’ll sing a niggun to welcome her.
Sabba (Grandpa):
בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ לַה׳ בִּתִּי. (רות ג:י)
 
קוּמִי אוֹרִי כִּֽי בָא אוֹרֵךְ וּכְבוֹד ה׳ עָלַיִךְ זָרָֽח. (ישעיה ס:א)
Blessed are you to YHVH, my daughter. (Ruth 3:10)
 
Arise, shine, for your light has dawned. YHVH’s radiance shines upon you. (Isaiah 60:1)

Verses of Thanksgiving
Lisa:
וְעַתָּה ה׳ אָבִינוּ אָתָּה, אֲנַחְנוּ הַחֹמֶר וְאַתָּה יֹצְרֵנוּ וּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדְךָ כֻּלָּנוּ. (ישעיה סד:ז)
But now, YHVH, You are our parent; we are the clay and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hands. (Isaiah 64:7)
Elie:
יוֹדוּ לַה׳ חַסְדּוֹ וְנִפְלְאוֹתָיו לִבְנֵי אָדָם. (תהלים קז:ח)
Let them praise YHVH for God’s steadfast love, God’s wondrous deeds for humankind. (Psalms 107:8)
Everyone:
הוֹדוּ לַה׳ כִּי טוֹב כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. (תהלים קיח:א)
Hodu l’Adonai ki tov, ki l’olam hasdo.
 
Praise YHVH for God is good; God’s steadfast love is eternal. (Psalms 118:1)

Welcoming Amalya into the Covenant: Background Texts
We will welcome Amalya into the brit (Jewish covenant) using a similar ritual to the one we created for her sister, Maytal. The ritual is based on the following text:
שמות כד:ג-ח
 
וַיָּבֹא מֹשֶׁה וַיְסַפֵּר לָעָם אֵת כָּל דִּבְרֵי ה׳ וְאֵת כָּל הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים וַיַּעַן כָּל הָעָם קוֹל אֶחָד וַיֹּאמְרוּ כָּל־הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר ה׳ נַֽעֲשֶֽׂה: וַיִּכְתֹּב מֹשֶׁה אֵת כָּל דִּבְרֵי ה׳ וַיַּשְׁכֵּם בַּבֹּקֶר וַיִּבֶן מִזְבֵּחַ תַּחַת הָהָר וּשְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה מַצֵּבָה לִשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵֽל: וַיִּשְׁלַח אֶֽת נַֽעֲרֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַֽיַּֽעֲלוּ עֹלֹת וַֽיִּזְבְּחוּ זְבָחִים שְׁלָמִים לַה׳ פָּרִֽים: וַיִּקַּח מֹשֶׁה חֲצִי הַדָּם וַיָּשֶׂם בָּֽאַגָּנֹת וַֽחֲצִי הַדָּם זָרַק עַל הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ: וַיִּקַּח סֵפֶר הַבְּרִית וַיִּקְרָא בְּאָזְנֵי הָעָם וַיֹּאמְרוּ כֹּל אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר ה׳ נַֽעֲשֶׂה וְנִשְׁמָֽע: וַיִּקַּח מֹשֶׁה אֶת הַדָּם וַיִּזְרֹק עַל הָעָם וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה דַֽם הַבְּרִית אֲשֶׁר כָּרַת ה׳ עִמָּכֶם עַל כָּל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵֽלֶּה:
Exodus 24:3-8
 
Moses went and repeated to the people all the commands of YHVH and all the rules; and the people answered with one voice, saying, All the things that YHVH has commanded we will do! Moses then wrote down all the commands of YHVH. Early in the morning, he set up an altar at the foot of the mountain, with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. He designated some young men among the Israelites, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed bulls as offerings of well-being to YHVH. Moses took one part of the blood and put it in basins, and the other part of the blood he dashed against the altar. Then he took the book of the covenant and read it aloud to the people. And they said, All that YHVH has spoken we will do and obey. Moses took the blood and dashed it on the people and said, This is the blood of the covenant that YHVH now makes with you concerning all these commands.
Based on this Biblical covenant ceremony, we fashioned the following ritual. In place of reading all the commands of God, we looked to a rabbinic text that indicates the essence of the Torah.
תלמוד בבלי מכות כג-כד.
 
דרש רבי שמלאי: שש מאות ושלש עשרה מצות נאמרו לו למשה… בא מיכה והעמידן על שלש, דכתיב: הגיד לך אדם מה טוב ומה ה׳ דורש ממך כי אם עשות משפט ואהבת חסד והצנע לכת עם אלהיך. (מיכה ו:ח)
Babylonian Talmud Makkot 23b-24a
 
Rebbi Simlai expounded: 613 commandments were said to Moses….Micah the Prophet came and summed them up into three, as it is written (Micah 6:8): He has told you, O human, what is good and what YHVH requires from you: Only to do justice, to love lovingkindness and to walk modestly with your God.
In place of the blood of the slaughtered bulls from the covenantal ceremony in Exodus, we looked for another substance to effect the covenant ceremony. Amalya was born right after Shavuot, on which we have a tradition to eat dairy. In fact, milk itself is associated with the acceptance of Torah, as described in the following Midrash which quotes a verse from Song of Songs:
שיר השירים ד:יא
 
נֹפֶת תִּטֹּפְנָה שִׂפְתוֹתַיִךְ כַּלָּה דְּבַשׁ וְחָלָב תַּחַת לְשׁוֹנֵךְ וְרֵיחַ שַׂלְמֹתַיִךְ כְּרֵיחַ לְבָנוֹן:
Song of Songs 4:11
 
Sweetness drops from your lips, O bride; honey and milk are under your tongue and the scent of your robes is like the scent of Lebanon.
מדרש תנחומא כי תשא ט
 
דא דבש וחלב תחת לשונך, בשעה שעמדו לפני הר סיני ואמרו כל אשר דבר ה׳ נעשה ונשמע, באותה שעה אמר להם הקבה דבש וחלב תחת לשונך
Midrash Tanhuma Ki Tisa 9
 
Another interpretation of Honey and milk are under your tongue: At the moment that Israel stood before Mount Sinai and said, All that YHVH has spoken we will do and obey, at that moment, the Holy Blessed One said to them, Honey and milk are under your tongue.
The milk in this ritual serves two functions:
1) a tactile experience of entering the covenant, similar to the blood in Exodus 24: 3-8;
and 2) a symbol of the sweetness and nourishment that is associated with entering the covenant of Torah.
We pray that Amalya’s experience of Torah and Judaism will sustain her and bring her joy.

Welcoming Amalya into the Covenant: A Ritual
Sabba:
וַיִּקַּח סֵפֶר הַבְּרִית וַיִּקְרָא בְּאָזְנֵי הָעָם… (שמות כד:ז)
He took the book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people… (Exodus 24:7)
Lisa:
הִגִּיד לְךָ אָדָם מַה טּוֹב וּמָה ה׳ דּוֹרֵשׁ מִמְּךָ כִּי אִם עֲשׂוֹת מִשְׁפָּט וְאַהֲבַת חֶסֶד וְהַצְנֵעַ לֶכֶת עִם אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ. (מיכה ו:ח)
He has told you, O human, what is good and what YHVH requires from you: Only to do justice, to love lovingkindness and to walk modestly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
Everyone:
כֹּל אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר ה׳ נַֽעֲשֶׂה וְנִשְׁמָֽע. (שמות כד:ז)
Kol asher diber Adonai na’aseh venishma
 
…All that God has spoken we will do and obey. (Exodus 24:7)
Elie (as Elie and Lisa put milk under Amalya’s tongue):
הִנֵּה דַֽם הַבְּרִית אֲשֶׁר כָּרַת ה׳ עִמָּכֶם עַל כָּל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵֽלֶּה. (שמות כד:ח)
This is the blood of the covenant that YHVH now makes with you concerning all these commands. (Exodus 24:8)
Sabba:
עמליה שחר זוֹ הַקְּטָנָה גְּדוֹלָה תִּהְיֶה,
Amalya Shaḥar, this little one, may she become great,
Everyone:
כְּשֵׁם שֶׁנִּכְנְסָה לַבְּרִית, כֵּן תִּכָּנֵס לְתוֹרָה וּלְחֻפָּה וּלְמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים.
K’shem she-nichnesah labrit, kein tikanes letorah, u’lehuppah u’lema’asim tovim.
 
Just as she has entered the covenant, so may she enter a life of Torah, marriage, and good deeds.
Sabba:
מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ אִמּוֹתֵינוּ
שָׂרָה וְרִבְקָה,
רָחֵל וְלֵאָה
וּמִרְיָם הַנְּבִיאָה
וַאֲבִיגַיִּל
וְאֶסְתֵּר הַמַּלְכָּה בַּת אֲבִיחַיִּל
הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אֶת הַיַּלְדָּה הַנְּעִימָה הַזֹּאת,
עמליה שחר בת הרב אליעזר גרשון ולאה פייגע,
בְּמַזָּל טוֹב וּבִשְׁעַת בְּרָכָה,
וִיגַדְּלוּה בִּבְרִיאוּת שָׁלוֹם וּמְנוּחָה,
וִיְזַכֶּה אֶת אָבִיהָ וְאֶת אִמָּה לִרְאוֹת בְּשִׂמְחָתָהּ וּבְחוּפָּתָהּ,
בְּבָנִים וּבְבָנוֹת,
עוֹשֶׁר וְכָבוֹד.
עוֹד יְנוּבוּן בְּשֵׂיבָה, דְּשֵׁנִים וְרַעֲנַנִּים יִהְיוּ,
וְכֵן יְהִי רָצוֹן וְנֹאמַר אָמֵן.
May God, who blessed our mothers,
Sarah, Rebecca,
Rachel and Leah,
Miriam the prophet,
and Abigail,
and Queen Esther the daughter of Avichayil,
bless this delightful little girl,
Amalya Shaḥar, the daughter of Elie and Lisa,
at this favorable and blessed hour.
May she be raised in health, peace and tranquility.
May her father and mother merit to see her joy and her marriage,
sons and daughters,
prosperity and honor,
bringing fulfillment and refreshment to their old age.
May this be God’s will. Amen.

About Amalya’s Name
Lisa and Elie will speak about Amalya Shaḥar’s name.

Expanding Amalya’s World
We feel privileged and thankful to welcome Amalya into such a supportive and wonderful community. As we do so, we challenge ourselves to accept the responsibility to create a world in which all children are so fortunate. To that end, we are committing to giving tsedakah every year in Amalya’s honor. We hope that as she grows, she will join us in the process of allocating the tsedakah and in the larger project of tikkun olam, repairing the world.

Closing Blessings
Elie and Lisa will bless Amalya with the traditional blessing for children:
יְשִׂימֵךְ אֱלֹהִים כְּשָׂרָה רִבְקָה רָחֵל וְלֵאָה.
May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.
יְבָֽרֶכְךָ ה׳ וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ.
יָאֵר ה׳ פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִֽיחֻנֶּֽךָּ.
יִשָּׂא ה׳ פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלֽוֹם. (במדבר ו׃כד-כו)
May God bless you and keep you.
May God shine God’s face upon you and be gracious to you.
May God lift God’s face to you and grant you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)
We conclude with a song that expresses our hope for blessings and peace for Amalya and the Jewish people.
יְבָרֶכְךָ ה׳ מִצִּיֹּון וּרְאֵה בְּטוּב יְרוּשָׁלִָם
כֹּל יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָ׃
וּרְאֵה־בָנִים לְבָנֶיךָ שָׁלֹום עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל׃ (תהלים קכח׃ה-ו)
Yevarechecha Hashem mitzion u’r’eh b’tuv Yerushalayim
Yevarachecha Hashem mitzion kol y’mei, y’mei hayecha.
U’r’eh vanim l’vanecha, Shalom al Yisrael.
U’r’eh vanim l’vanecha, Shalom al Yisrael.
 
May God bless you from Ẓíōn and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
And may you live to see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel. (Psalms 128:5-6)

Seudat mitsvah – Festive Meal
Please join us for a seudat mitsvah (festive meal) followed by a special birkhat hamazon (grace after meals) in honor of Amalya’s Simḥat Bat.
ברכת המזון

Birkat haMazon
שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת, בְּשׁוּב ה׳ אֶת שִׁיבַת צִיּוֹן, הָיִֽינוּ כְּחֹלְמִים. אָז יִמָּלֵא שְׂחוֹק פִּֽינוּ וּלְשׁוֹנֵֽנוּ רִנָּה, אָז יֹאמְרוּ בַגּוֹיִם, הִגְדִּיל ה׳ לַעֲשׂוֹת עִם אֵֽלֶּה. הִגְדִּיל ה׳ לַעֲשׂוֹת עִמָּֽנוּ, הָיִֽינוּ שְׂמֵחִים. שׁוּבָה ה׳ אֶת שְׁבִיתֵֽנוּ, כַּאֲפִיקִים בַּנֶּֽגֶב. הַזֹּרְעִים בְּדִמְעָה, בְּרִנָּה יִקְצֹֽרוּ. הָלוֹךְ יֵלֵךְ וּבָכֹה נֹשֵׂא מֶֽשֶׁךְ הַזָּֽרַע, בֹּא יָבֹא בְרִנָּה נֹשֵׂא אֲלֻמֹּתָיו.
Leader:
רַבּוֹתַי, נְבָרֵךְ.
Everyone:
יְהִי שֵׁם ה׳ מְבֹרָךְ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם.
Leader:
יְהִי שֵׁם ה׳ מְבֹרָךְ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם.
נוֹדֶה לְשִׁמְךָ בְּתוֹךְ אֱמוּנַי, בְּרוּכִים אַתֶּם לַה׳.
Everyone:
נוֹדֶה לְשִׁמְךָ בְּתוֹךְ אֱמוּנַי, בְּרוּכִים אַתֶּם לַה׳.
Leader:
בִּרְשׁוּת אֵל אָיוֹם וְנוֹרָא, מִשְׂגָּב לְעִתּוֹת בַּצָּרָה,
אֵל נֶאְזָר בִּגְבוּרָה, אַדִּיר בַּמָּרוֹם ה׳.
Everyone:
נוֹדֶה לְשִׁמְךָ בְּתוֹךְ אֱמוּנַי, בְּרוּכִים אַתֶּם לַה׳.
Leader:
בִּרְשׁוּת הַתּוֹרָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, טְהוֹרָה הִיא וְגַם פְּרוּשָׁה,
צִוָּה לָֽנוּ מוֹרָשָׁה, מֹשֶׁה עֶֽבֶד ה׳.
Everyone:
נוֹדֶה לְשִׁמְךָ בְּתוֹךְ אֱמוּנַי, בְּרוּכִים אַתֶּם לַה׳.
Leader:
בִּרְשׁוּת הַכֹּהֲנִים וְהַלְוִיִם, אֶקְרָא לֵאלֹהֵי הָעִבְרִיִּים,
אֲהוֹדֶֽנּוּ בְּכָל אִיִּים, אֲבָרְכָה אֶת ה׳.
Everyone:
נוֹדֶה לְשִׁמְךָ בְּתוֹךְ אֱמוּנַי, בְּרוּכִים אַתֶּם לַה׳.
Leader:
בִּרְשׁוּת מָרָנָן וְרַבּוֹתַי, אֶפְתְּחָה בְּשִׁיר פִּי וּשְׂפָתַי,
וְתֹאמַֽרְנָה עַצְמוֹתַי, בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא בְּשֵׁם ה׳.
Everyone:
נוֹדֶה לְשִׁמְךָ בְּתוֹךְ אֱמוּנַי, בְּרוּכִים אַתֶּם לַה׳.
Leader:
בִּרְשׁוּת מָרָנָן וְרַבָּנָן וְרַבּוֹתַי, נְבָרֵךְ (אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ) שֶׁאָכַֽלְנוּ מִשֶּׁלּוֹ.
Everyone:
בָּרוּךְ (אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ) שֶׁאָכַֽלְנוּ מִשֶּׁלּוֹ וּבְטוּבוֹ חָיִֽינוּ.
Leader:
בָּרוּךְ (אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ) שֶׁאָכַֽלְנוּ מִשֶּׁלּוֹ וּבְטוּבוֹ חָיִֽינוּ.
Everyone:
בָּרוּךְ הוּא וּבָרוּךְ שְׁמוֹ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַזָּן אֶת הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ בְּטוּבוֹ בְּחֵן בְּחֶֽסֶד וּבְרַחֲמִים, הוּא נוֹתֵן לֶֽחֶם לְכָל בָּשָׂר כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. וּבְטוּבוֹ הַגָּדוֹל תָּמִיד לֹא חָֽסַר לָֽנוּ, וְאַל יֶחְסַר לָֽנוּ מָזוֹן לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. בַּעֲבוּר שְׁמוֹ הַגָּדוֹל, כִּי הוּא אֵל זָן וּמְפַרְנֵס לַכֹּל וּמֵטִיב לַכֹּל, וּמֵכִין מָזוֹן לְכָל בְּרִיּוֹתָיו אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳, הַזָּן אֶת הַכֹּל.
נֽוֹדֶה לְּךָ, ה׳ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, עַל שֶׁהִנְחַֽלְתָּ לַאֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ אֶֽרֶץ חֶמְדָּה טוֹבָה וּרְחָבָה, וְעַל שֶׁהוֹצֵאתָֽנוּ, ה׳ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, מֵאֶֽרֶץ מִצְרַֽים, וּפְדִיתָֽנוּ מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים, וְעַל בְּרִיתְךָ שֶׁחָתַֽמְתָּ בִּבְשָׂרֵֽנוּ, וְעַל תּוֹרָתְךָ שֶׁלִּמַּדְתָּֽנוּ, וְעַל חֻקֶּֽיךָ שֶׁהוֹדַעְתָּֽנוּ, וְעַל חַיִּים חֵן וָחֶֽסֶד שֶׁחוֹנַנְתָּֽנוּ, וְעַל אֲכִילַת מָזוֹן שָׁאַתָּה זָן וּמְפַרְנֵס אוֹתָֽנוּ תָּמִיד, בְּכָל יוֹם וּבְכָל עֵת וּבְכָל שָׁעָה.
וְעַל הַכֹּל, ה׳ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, אֲנַֽחְנוּ מוֹדִים לָךְ, וּמְבָרְכִים אוֹתָךְ, יִתְבָּרַךְ שִׁמְךָ בְּפִי כָּל חַי תָּמִיד לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. כַּכָּתוּב, וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָֽעְתָּ, וּבֵרַכְתָּ אֶת ה׳ אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ עַל הָאָֽרֶץ הַטֹּבָה אֲשֶׁר נָֽתַן לָךְ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳, עַל הָאָֽרֶץ וְעַל הַמָּזוֹן.
רַחֵם, ה׳ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמֶּֽךָ, וְעַל יְרוּשָׁלַֽיִם עִירֶֽךָ, וְעַל צִיּוֹן מִשְׁכַּן כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ, וְעַל מַלְכוּת בֵּית דָּוִד מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ, וְעַל הַבַּֽיִת הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ שֶׁנִּקְרָא שִׁמְךָ עָלָיו. אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, אָבִֽינוּ, רְעֵֽנוּ, זוּנֵֽנוּ, פַּרְנְסֵֽנוּ, וְכַלְכְּלֵֽנוּ, וְהַרְוִיחֵֽנוּ, וְהַרְוַח לָֽנוּ ה׳ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מְהֵרָה מִכָּל צָרוֹתֵֽינוּ, וְנָא אַל תַּצְרִיכֵֽנוּ, ה׳ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, לֹא לִידֵי מַתְּנַת בָּשָׂר וָדָם, וְלֹא לִידֵי הַלְוָאָתָם, כִּי אִם לְיָדְךָ הַמְּלֵאָה, הַפְּתוּחָה, הַקְּדוֹשָׁה וְהָרְחָבָה, שֶׁלֹּא נֵבוֹשׁ וְלֹא נִכָּלֵם לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.
וּבְנֵה יְרוּשָׁלַֽיִם עִיר הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ בִּמְהֵרָה בְיָמֵֽינוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳, בּוֹנֵה בְרַחֲמָיו יְרוּשָׁלָֽיִם. אָמֵן
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הָאֵל, אָבִֽינוּ, מַלְכֵּֽנוּ, אַדִּירֵֽנוּ, בּוֹרְאֵֽנוּ, גּוֹאֲלֵֽנוּ, יוֹצְרֵֽנוּ, קְדוֹשֵֽׁנוּ קְדוֹשׁ יַעֲקֹב, רוֹעֵֽנוּ רוֹעֵה יִשְׂרָאֵל, הַמֶּֽלֶךְ הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב לַכֹּל, שֶׁבְּכָל יוֹם וָיוֹם הוּא הֵטִיב, הוּא מֵטִיב, הוּא יֵיטִיב לָֽנוּ. הוּא גְמָלָֽנוּ, הוּא גוֹמְלֵֽנוּ, הוּא יִגְמְלֵֽנוּ לָעַד, לְחֵן וּלְחֶֽסֶד וּלְרַחֲמִים וּלְרֶֽוַח הַצָּלָה וְהַצְלָחָה, בְּרָכָה וִישׁוּעָה, נֶחָמָה, פַּרְנָסָה וְכַלְכָּלָה, וְרַחֲמִים וְחַיִּים וְשָׁלוֹם וְכָל טוֹב, וּמִכָּל טוּב לְעוֹלָם אַל יְחַסְּרֵֽנוּ.
הָרַחֲמָן, הוּא יִמְלוֹךְ עָלֵֽינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.
הָרַחֲמָן, הוּא יִתְבָּרַךְ בַּשָׁמַֽיִם וּבָאָֽרֶץ.
הָרַחֲמָן, הוּא יִשְׁתַּבַּח לְדוֹר דּוֹרִים, וְיִתְפָּֽאַר בָּֽנוּ לָעַד וּלְנֵֽצַח נְצָחִים, וְיִתְהַדַּר בָּֽנוּ לָעַד וּלְעוֹלְמֵי עוֹלָמִים.
הָרַחֲמָן, הוּא יְפַרְנְסֵֽנוּ בְּכָבוֹד.
הָרַחֲמָן, הוּא יִשְׁבּוֹר עֻלֵּֽנוּ מֵעַל צַוָּארֵֽנוּ וְהוּא יוֹלִיכֵֽנוּ קוֹמְמִיּוּת לְאַרְצֵֽנוּ.
הָרַחֲמָן, הוּא יִשְׁלַח לָֽנוּ בְּרָכָה מְרֻבָּה בַּבַּֽיִת הַזֶּה, וְעַל שֻׁלְחָן זֶה שֶׁאָכַֽלְנוּ עָלָיו.
הָרַחֲמָן, הוּא יִשְׁלַח לָֽנוּ אֶת אֵלִיָּֽהוּ הַנָּבִיא זָכוּר לַטּוֹב, וִיבַשֶּׂר לָֽנוּ בְּשׂוֹרוֹת טוֹבוֹת יְשׁוּעוֹת וְנֶחָמוֹת.
הָרַחֲמָן, הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אֶת כָּל הַמְסֻבִּין כָּאן, אוֹתָם וְאֶת בֵּיתָם וְאֶת זַרְעָם וְאֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם,
אוֹתָֽנוּ וְאֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר לָֽנוּ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁנִתְבָּרְכוּ אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ, אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב, בַּכֹּל, מִכֹּל, כֹּל, כֵּן יְבָרֵךְ אוֹתָֽנוּ כֻּלָּֽנוּ יַֽחַד בִּבְרָכָה שְׁלֵמָה, וְנֹאמַר אָמֵן.
בַּמָּרוֹם יְלַמְּדוּ עֲלֵיהֶם וְעָלֵֽינוּ זְכוּת, שֶׁתְּהֵא לְמִשְׁמֶֽרֶת שָׁלוֹם, וְנִשָּׂא בְרָכָה מֵאֵת ה׳, וּצְדָקָה מֵאֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעֵֽנוּ, וְנִמְצָא חֵן וְשֵֽׂכֶל טוֹב בְּעֵינֵי אֱלֹהִים וְאָדָם.
הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אַבִי וְאֵם הַיַלְדָה
וְיִזְכּוּ לְגַדְלָה וּלְחַנְכָה וְּלְחַכְּמָה
לְמַעֲשִים טוֹבִים וּלְקִדוּשֵׁי חוּפָּה
וּלְלִימוּד הַתּוֹרָה התְּמִימָה וְהַנֶאֱמָנָה.
הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אֶת אֲחוֹתֵינוּ הַקְטַנָה
בְּחָכְמָה בְּשַׁלְוָה וּבִגְבוּרָה
דְרָכָיו וְאוֹרְחוֹתָיו יְלַמֵד אוֹתָה
וּתְהִי תּוֹרַת חֶסֶד עַל לְשׁוֹנָהּ.
הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אֶת כָּל הַנֶאֱסָפִים
הַמַקְדִימִים בְּשָׁלוֹם וּבְשִֹמְחָה נִקְהָלִים
בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ בִּתִּי בְּיַחַד עוֹנִים
אֵלֶה פֹּה הַיוֹם כּוּלָנוּ חַיִים.
הָרַחֲמָן הָעוֹשֶֹה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו
יָחוּס עַל עַמוֹ וְיִפְרֹשֹ כְּנָפָיו
יָעִיר קִנוֹ, יְרַחֵף עַל בָּנָיו
לְרַחֵם, לְנַחֵם בִּבְרָכָה שְׁלוֹמָיו.[1] These four indented Harahaman stanzas were written by Dr. Devora Steinmetz and R’ David Silber, and are shared with a Creative Commons By Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license.  
הָרַחֲמָן, הוּא יְזַכֵּֽנוּ לִימוֹת הַמָּשִֽׁיחַ וּלְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.
מַגְדִּיל יְשׁוּעוֹת מַלְכּוֹ, וְעֹֽשֶׂה חֶֽסֶד לִמְשִׁיחוֹ לְדָוִד וּלְזַרְעוֹ עַד עוֹלָם. עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן.
יְראוּ אֶת ה׳ קְדוֹשָׁיו, כִּי אֵין מַחְסוֹר לִירֵאָיו. כְּפִירִים רָשׁוּ וְרָעֵֽבוּ, וְדוֹרְשֵׁי ה׳ לֹא יַחְסְרוּ כָל טוֹב. הוֹדוּ לַה׳ כִּי טוֹב, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. פּוֹתֵֽחַ אֶת יָדֶֽךָ, וּמַשְׂבִּֽיעַ לְכָל חַי רָצוֹן. בָּרוּךְ הַגֶּֽבֶר אֲשֶׁר יִבְטַח בַּה׳, וְהָיָה ה׳ מִבְטַחוֹ. נַֽעַר הָיִֽיתִי גַם זָקַֽנְתִּי, וְלֹא רָאִֽיתִי צַדִּיק נֶעֱזָב, וְזַרְעוֹ מְבַקֶּשׁ לָֽחֶם. ה׳ עֹז לְעַמּוֹ יִתֵּן, ה׳ יְבָרֵךְ אֶת עַמּוֹ בַשָּׁלוֹם.

Some additional material in the Birkhat Hamazon (Blessing for the Meal) was prepared by Dr. Devora Steinmetz and R’ David Silber.

Thank you to Ethan Tucker and Ariela Migdal, Devora Steinmetz and David Silber, Ellen Braitman, Barry Stern and Deborah Shapira for their guidance and use of their Simḥat Bat programs.

Source

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Notes

Notes
1 These four indented Harahaman stanzas were written by Dr. Devora Steinmetz and R’ David Silber, and are shared with a Creative Commons By Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license.
]]> https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/jewish-life-cycle/brit-milah-and-simhat-bat/simhat-bat-of-amalya-shahar-exler-kaunfer/feed/ 0 תפילה למען ילדי העולם | Prayer for the Children of the World, by Rabbi Nava Hefetz https://opensiddur.org/prayers/collective-welfare/trouble/conflicts-over-sovereignty-and-dispossession/prayer-for-the-children-of-the-world-by-nava-hefetz-translated-by-shaul-vardi/ https://opensiddur.org/prayers/collective-welfare/trouble/conflicts-over-sovereignty-and-dispossession/prayer-for-the-children-of-the-world-by-nava-hefetz-translated-by-shaul-vardi/#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:16:04 +0000 http://opensiddur.org/?p=12184 Source (Hebrew) Translation (Arabic) Translation (English)
אֲדוֹן כׇּל הַבְּרוּאִים, מֶלֶךְ שֶׁהַשָּׁלוֹם שֶׁלּוֹ,
בָּרֵךְ אֶת יְלָדֵינוּ וְאֶת יַלְדֵי כׇּל הָעוֹלָם
בִּבְרִיאוּת הַגּוּף, בְּרִיאוּת הַנֶּפֶשׁ וּבְרִיאוּת הָרוּחַ.
رب الخليقة ملك السلام
بارك اولادنا واولاد العالم اجمع
بصحة الجسد والنفس والروح
Creator of all life, sovereign of peace,
Bless our children and the children of all the world
With physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
אַתָּה שֶׁבָּרָאתָ אוֹתָם בְּצַלְמֶךָ,
וּבְאַהֲבָה רַבָּה נָפַחְתָּ בָּם רוּחֲךָ
הַצְלַח דָּרְכָם בְּעוֹלָמְךָ אֲשֶׁר בָּרָאתָ.
باري المخاليق على صورتك
وبالمحبة الجمة بعثت فيهم الروح
وفق دربهم بعالمك الذي خلقت
You who created them in Your image
And lovingly imbued them with Your spirit,
Let their paths be successful in this world that You created.
הָרֵק מֵחָסְנֶךָ עֲלֵיהֶם וְחָזֵק בְּרִיחֵי גּוּפָם וְנַפְשָׁם.
هب لهم من لدنك قوة واعضد اجسادهم وانفسهم
Give them of Your resilience and strengthen the sinews of their bodies and minds.
הֶיֵה שׁוֹמְרָם וּמַצִּילָם מִיַּד רְשָׁעָה,
כִּי רַב חֶסֶד וְאֱמֶת אַתָּה.
احرسهم ونجهم من كل شر
لانك الصدوق المنعم
Guard and save them from all evil
For Your mercy and truth abound.
שִׂים שָׁלוֹם בָּאָרֶץ וְשִׂמְחַת עוֹלָם לְכׇל יוֹשְׁבֶיהָ.
אָמֵן, כֵּן יְהִי רָצוֹן.
اجعل السلام يعم البلاد وبهجة ابدية لكل البشر
فلتكن مشيئتك آمين
Grant peace to the Land and everlasting happiness to all its inhabitants.
Amen, may it be Your will
]]> https://opensiddur.org/prayers/collective-welfare/trouble/conflicts-over-sovereignty-and-dispossession/prayer-for-the-children-of-the-world-by-nava-hefetz-translated-by-shaul-vardi/feed/ 11 ברכה לילדים | Blessing for Children [at the Onset of the School Year] (Siddur Tefilat ha-Adam, Israeli Reform Movement 2020) https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/learning/blessing-for-children-at-the-onset-of-the-school-year-siddur-tefilat-haadam-israeli-reform-movement-2020/ https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/learning/blessing-for-children-at-the-onset-of-the-school-year-siddur-tefilat-haadam-israeli-reform-movement-2020/#respond Thu, 03 Sep 2020 08:23:08 +0000 https://opensiddur.org/?p=33426 Source (Hebrew) Translation (English)
מִי שֶׁחוֹנֵן לְאָדָם דַּעַת
וּמְלַמֵּד לֶאֱנוֹשׁ בִּינָה
הוּא יִתֵּן בְּלִבְּכֶם חָכְמָה תְּבוּנָה וְדֵעָה.
יִפְקַח אֶת עֵינֵיכֶם לְגִלּוּי חָדָשׁ בְּכׇל יוֹם,
לְיָפְיוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם,
לְעָצְמָתָהּ שֶׁל הַבְּרִיאָה,
לִפְעִימָתוֹ שֶׁל הַלֵּב,
וּלְכֹחוֹ שֶׁל הַחֶסֶד.
May the One who grants knowledge to humans
and teaches understanding to people
to place in their hearts wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge.
May the One open your eyes to a new revelation each day,
to the beauty of the world,
to the power of creation,
to the beating of the heart,
and to the potential of lovingkindness.
יְבָרְכְכֶם יהוה וְיִשְׁמָרְכֶם.
יָאֵר יהוה פָּנָיו אֲלֵיכֶם וִיחֻנּכֶם.
יִשָּׂא יהוה פָּנָיו אֲלֵיכֶם וְיָשֵׂם לָכֶם שָׁלוֹם.
May YHVH bless them and protect them
May YHVH shine Their face towards them and be gracious to them
May YHVH lift Their face towards them and grant them peace.
הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגֹּאֵל אֹתִי מִכׇּל רָע
יְבָרֵךְ אֶת הַנְּעָרִים וְהַנְּעָרוֹת
וְיִקָּרֵא בָהֶם שְׁמִי
וְשֵׁם אֲבֹתַי וְאִמּוֹתַי
אַבְרָהָם וְשָׂרָה יִצְחָק וְרִבְקָה
וְיִדְגּוּ לָרֹב בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ׃
May the angel who redeemed me from all evil
Bless the young people
And may my name be recalled in them,
and the name of my ancestors
Avraham and Sarah, Yitsḥaq and Rivqah
And may they grow into a multitude throughout the earth.

“ברכה לילדים” appears on p. 400-401 of תפילת האדם, סידור רפורמי ישראלי (2020), the Israeli Reform Movement siddur edited by Rabbi Alona Lisitsa (Ph.D.) and Rabbi Dr. Dalia Marx. This unattributed prayer was shared by Rabbi Lisitsa via the Open Siddur Project Discussion Group on Facebook. English translation by Rabbi Louis Pollison. (Thank you!)

Source(s)

Tefilat ha-Adam (Israeli Reform Movement, 2020)

Tefilat ha-Adam p.400-401

]]> https://opensiddur.org/prayers/life-cycle/living/learning/blessing-for-children-at-the-onset-of-the-school-year-siddur-tefilat-haadam-israeli-reform-movement-2020/feed/ 0 ברכת הילדים | An ungendered Birkat Yeladim, by Yonah Bromberg Gaber https://opensiddur.org/prayers/solilunar/shabbat/erev-shabbat/an-ungendered-birkat-yeladim-by-yonah-bromberg-gaber/ https://opensiddur.org/prayers/solilunar/shabbat/erev-shabbat/an-ungendered-birkat-yeladim-by-yonah-bromberg-gaber/#respond Thu, 22 Oct 2020 14:37:04 +0000 https://opensiddur.org/?p=34036 Source (Hebrew) Translation (English)
יְשִֽׂמְךָ֣ אֱלֹהִ֔ים כְּאֶפְרַ֖יִם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁ֑ה׃ (בראשית מח:כ)
May God make you like Ephraim and like Menashe. (Genesis 48:20)
יְשַׁלֵּ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה פָּעֳלֵ֑ךְ וּתְהִ֨י מַשְׂכֻּרְתֵּ֜ךְ שְׁלֵמָ֗ה׃ (רות ב:יב)
May God reward your deeds with complete reckoning. (Ruth 2:12)
יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ יְהוָ֖ה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ׃
יָאֵ֨ר יְהוָ֧ה ׀ פָּנָ֛יו אֵלֶ֖יךָ וִֽיחֻנֶּֽךָּ׃
יִשָּׂ֨א יְהוָ֤ה ׀ פָּנָיו֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְךָ֖ שָׁלֽוֹם׃ (במדבר ו:כד-כו)
May God bless and protect you.
May God deal kindly and graciously with you.
May God bestow favor upon you and grant you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

“An ungendered Birkat Yeladim” by Yonah Bromberg Gaber was initially prepared by the author on Sefaria, and included the following explanation:

In creating a בירכת ילדים that worked for me in my genderqueerness, I wanted a solution that fit in with richness of the tradition but also broke down the gendered nature of the blessing. 

The existing recommendations essentially combined the language used for boys and girls, tacking on Sarah, Rivḳa, Rachel, and Leah to Ephraim and Menashe.

This bothered me for a couple of reasons:
• It took a verse that is a direct quotation from the Torah and inserted language.
• It felt like a combination of femininity and masculinity, rather than an ungendered blessing.
• There was no clear connection between the Matriarchs and Ephraim and Menashe.

These problems led to the question, Why do we use ישמך אלהים כשרה רבקה רחל ולאה to begin with? It’s not a biblical quote, nor does it have any textual precedent other than the siddur. The matriarchs certainly have merits that should be reflected in children, but then why aren’t boys blessed with the merits of the patriarchs? (Or for that matter, all children with all of the foreparents?)

I could not find a satisfactory answer, particularly when the reasons for using the verse about Ephraim and Menashe were so available and textual–Ya’aḳov instructs that Yisrael will be blessed in their names. Their merits are well established within the texts, including that their individuality as peers with different strengths contributes to the value of using their names in the blessings, since each child is different.

While I could have settled that יְשִֽׂמְךָ֣ אֱלֹהִ֔ים כְּאֶפְרַ֖יִם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁ֑ה (Genesis 48:20) would have been sufficient for children of any gender, both the historical nature of the verse’s stature as a blessing specifically for boys and the feminist need to recognize non-male figures and strengths within Jewish canon called for an addition.

The language in מגילת רות held several great opportunities, and I settled upon the verse above. This is part of Boaz’s praise upon meeting Ruth, acknowledging her dedication to Naomi and to faith.

There were a few reasons that I selected Ruth 2:12:

1. It’s a direct quote framed in the second person, which is unusual for biblical blessings.

2. It focuses on the virtue of deliberate action by Ruth, and particularly action that is characterized by חסד: Boaz later says on the threshing floor, “בְּרוּכָ֨ה אַ֤תְּ לַֽיהוָה֙ בִּתִּ֔י הֵיטַ֛בְתְּ חַסְדֵּ֥ךְ הָאַחֲר֖וֹן מִן־הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן” (Ruth 3:10) and earlier Naomi blesses both Rut and Orpah “עשה [יַ֣עַשׂ] יְהוָ֤ה עִמָּכֶם֙ חֶ֔סֶד כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר עֲשִׂיתֶ֛ם עִם־הַמֵּתִ֖ים וְעִמָּדִֽי” (Ruth 1:8) [These verses also could be candidates, but I left them because they are so specific and refer to more complicated contexts (death and sex, and in the latter it compares multiple actions, and is thus less generalizable.)

3. Like with Ephraim and Menashe, it does NOT focus on the virtue of Rut as a matriarch; when later the townsfolk offer the blessing to Boaz and Rut “יִתֵּן֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֶֽת־הָאִשָּׁ֜ה הַבָּאָ֣ה אֶל־בֵּיתֶ֗ךָ כְּרָחֵ֤ל ׀ וּכְלֵאָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנ֤וּ שְׁתֵּיהֶם֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל” (Ruth 4:11), Rachel and Leah are held up as great examples of building the nation. While a feminist reading would certainly interpret the virtue to be that building a nation includes upbringing and imparting of values–certainly laudable actions–Ephraim and Menashe’s virtues seem to be divorced from their role as patriarchs. We use ישמך …כאפרים וכמנשה instead of המלאך הגואל which invokes the patriarchs for birkat yeladim, which encourages the role of a child to take a part in the community rather than just create the next generation.

Upon these reasons, I then combined the verses to first invoke the continuity of blessings and the individuality of the child being blessed, then the blessings of individual action, and finally the divine blessings coming from the priestly association (and possibly one of the oldest components of our liturgy!)

This formulation maintains a connection with tradition, improves upon the formulations available by only using textual sources with clear connection and reasoning, and serves to degender the blessing by calling upon quoted, mixed gender texts which have merit for children of any gender.

 

]]> https://opensiddur.org/prayers/solilunar/shabbat/erev-shabbat/an-ungendered-birkat-yeladim-by-yonah-bromberg-gaber/feed/ 0 Prayer for When My Children are Vaccinated Against COVID-19, by Cantor Hinda Labovitz (2021) https://opensiddur.org/prayers/collective-welfare/trouble/epidemics/prayer-for-when-my-children-are-vaccinated-against-covid-19-by-cantor-hinda-labovitz-2021/ https://opensiddur.org/prayers/collective-welfare/trouble/epidemics/prayer-for-when-my-children-are-vaccinated-against-covid-19-by-cantor-hinda-labovitz-2021/#respond Mon, 08 Nov 2021 08:12:33 +0000 https://opensiddur.org/?p=40560 Facebook page on 5 November 2021,]]> Contribute a translation Source (English)
 
מוֹדִים אֲנַחְנוּ לָךְ
Compassionate God —
modim anachnu lakh | I am grateful to You
as we, together,
take the next steps
to protect our children,
our family,
and our community
from Covid-19.
Master of the Universe:
You who grant wisdom to researchers, doctors, nurses,
and all those involved in healing ~
support them and give them strength
to continue their life-preserving work.
May I, with You, protect my children from all harm.
And, when I can’t, may they rely on those around them.
Shelter them in Your wings, and sustain them,
invigorate them,
keep them safe in body and spirit.
May we merit to raise these children to adulthood,
instilling in them a love of community,
care for their world,
and engagement with what is right.
בָּרוּךְ …
שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ
וְקִיְּמָנוּ
וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה׃
barukh …
shehecheyanu
vekiy’manu
vehigi’anu lazeman hazeh.

Blessed are You, God,
who has enlivened us,
uplifted us,
and delivered us to this occasion.

This prayer for a parent (or primary caregiver) on the vaccination of their children by Cantor Hinda Labovitz was first shared via their Facebook page on 5 November 2021, with the following introduction:

I know there are several blessings/prayers floating around. Sharing mine in case it resonates, and to encourage others to compose and share your own if you are so moved. Remember, prayer can be as simple as an extemporaneous expression of our experience. I’m taking this with me when D & J (age 5.5) get vaccinated this Sunday (!), and I’m looking forward to asking them to share with me what that experience means to them, too.

Source(s)

 

]]> https://opensiddur.org/prayers/collective-welfare/trouble/epidemics/prayer-for-when-my-children-are-vaccinated-against-covid-19-by-cantor-hinda-labovitz-2021/feed/ 0 לקטנים ברצועת עזה | [Prayer] for the Children in Gaza, by Avital Raff https://opensiddur.org/prayers/collective-welfare/trouble/war/prayer-for-the-children-in-gaza-by-avital-raff/ https://opensiddur.org/prayers/collective-welfare/trouble/war/prayer-for-the-children-in-gaza-by-avital-raff/#respond Sun, 13 Oct 2024 04:09:15 +0000 https://opensiddur.org/?p=58176 A Yizkor Supplement for Palestinian Life (Halachic Left 2024).]]> Source (Hebrew) Translation (English)
אנא ה׳,
מלך מלכי המלכים,
אדון כל הבריות
ויוצר כל נשמות,
רם על כל ממשלות
וממלכתיות של בשר ודם,
קבל בחסדך וברחמיך הרבים
את נשמות כל הטפים, התינוקות ,והקטנים
שנהרגו,
ונשחטו,
ונשרפו ונטרפו במחלות,
ונקברו חיים
בשחיתות צדק וכל משפטיך
ברצועת עזה.
Please, Hashem,
King and King over all kings,
Master of all creations
and Creator of all souls,
Most High over all governments
and kingdoms of flesh and blood.
accept in your great compassion and mercy
the souls of all the infants, babies, and children
who were murdered,
slaughtered,
torn apart by illness
and were buried alive
through the perversion of justice and Your laws
in the Gaza Strip.
אבינו, אב הרחמים,
המצא נא להם מנוחה נכונה
ומלא שלוה תחת כנפי השכינה.
Avinu, Merciful Parent,
seek for them an appropriate resting place
and complete harmony under the Wings of [the] Shekhinah[1] lit. Divine Presence. 
בזכות זכר תמימותיהם וצדקתיהם,
שלח נא חרות מהירה
וגאולה שלימה
לכל קרובי ומשפחותי קדושיך.
הצל אותם מכל צרה, וצוקה
ומכל מיני פורעניות רודפות אחריהם.
כמו שכתב דוד עבדיך
”יוֹדֵעַ יְהֹוָה יְמֵי תְמִימִם
וְנַחֲלָתָם לְעוֹלָם תִּהְיֶה.“ (תהלים לז:יח)
In the merit of the innocence and righteousness of their memories,
send, please, freedom, speedily,
and complete redemption
to the martyrs’ families and close relations.
Rescue them from all sorrow and hardship
and all types of evil doers who pursue after them.[2] In the English translation, the following line is added, “send full healing to all who were injured and wounded throughout this sinful war.” 
As your servant David wrote
“Hashem knows the days of the innocent
and forever He is their portion.” (Psalms 37:18)
שלח ברכה והצלחה
לכל מי שעוסקים בעבור חייהם
ובעבור צדק ומשפט
ונגד שפיכות דמים.
ככתוב בתורת משה עבדיך:
”לֹא־תֵלֵךְ רָכִיל בְּעַמֶּיךָ לֹא תַעֲמֹד עַל־דַּם רֵעֶךָ
אֲנִי ה׳.“ (ויקרא יט:טז)
Send blessing and success
to all who struggle for their lives,
for righteousness and justice and truth
and against the spilling of blood.
As it is written in the book of Moshe your servant,
“Do not stand idly by the blood of your fellow,
I am Hashem.” (Leviticus 19:17)
קבל את תפילותינו ותחנונינו ברצון מלפניך
ויהי זכרם דרישת שלום.
ה׳ הוא נחמתם,
ובגן עדן תהא מנוחתם,
ונאמר אמן.
Accept our prayers and supplications willfully before you
and may their memories be a demand for peace.
Hashem is their portion
and may the Garden of Eden be their resting place.
And let us say, amen.

This prayer, “For the Children in Gaza” by Avital Raff, was first published in בצרור החיים: A Yizkor Supplement for Palestinian Life (Halachic Left 2024), p. 10.

Source(s)

For the Children in Gaza by Avital Raff in B’tsarur HeHayyim- A Yizkor Supplement for Palestinian Life (Halachic Left 2024), p. 10

 

Notes

Notes
1 lit. Divine Presence.
2 In the English translation, the following line is added, “send full healing to all who were injured and wounded throughout this sinful war.”
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