Parental Blessing

(Heb. Birkat Banim). Blessing usually recited by the father for his children of all ages every Sabbath eve after services, either in the synagogue or at home. This custom is not mentioned in the Talmud and probably originated in the Middle Ages.

The text for male children is taken from the blessing of Jacob (Gen. 48:20): "So he blessed them by saying ... God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh." To this was added the blessing for daughters: "May God make you like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah." The Priestly Blessing is then recited in both cases. A personal prayer may also be added.

A further custom arose at the end of the Sabbath for children to be blessed again by their fathers and students by their teachers.

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