The Aaronic Priestly Blessing
יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ
יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ
יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם
ye·vah·re·khe·kha · Adonai · ve·yeesh·me·re·kha
yah·eir · Adonai · pah·nahv · e·ley·kha · vee·khoon·ne·kah
yees·sah · Adonai · pah·nahv · e·ley·kha · ve·yah·seim · le·kha · shah·lohm
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD shine his face upon you and be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up his face upon you and give you his peace.”
(Num. 6:24-26)
We all need blessings! Everywhere in our world where we look we see brokenness, pain, loneliness, suffering, hate, destruction…etc and you know this list goes on.
There is a tradition of Biblical Hebraic blessing that the first believers regularly engaged in.
Let’s explore some of these blessings!
Candles
Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel shabbat.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with commandments, and commanded us to light Shabbat candles.
Bread
Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam hamotzi lehem min ha’aretz.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.
Wine &
Grape Juice
Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam borei p’ri hagafen.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
Fruit
Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam borei p’ri ha’eitz.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree.
Vegetables
Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam borei p’ri ha’adamah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the ground.
Grains
Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam borei minei mezonot.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates varieties of nourishment.
Misc Food
Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam shehakol niyah bidvaro.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, at whose word all came to be.