Blessings for Shabbat & Holidays

Texts, translations and transliterations.

To go directly to a specific blessing, click below:

Lighting Shabbat 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.

Lighting Holiday Candles

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel yom tov.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with commandments, and commanded us to light festival candles.

Lighting Hanukkah Candles

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel hanukkah.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with commandments, and commanded us to light Hanukkah candles.

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam she’asah nissim la’avoteinu ba’yamim
hahem baz’man hazeh
.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who performed wonders for our ancestors in those ancient days at this season.

On the First Night of Hanukkah Only:

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam sheheheyanu v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu laz’man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has given us life, and sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.

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.

Washing Hands

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al netilat yadayim.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with commandments, and commanded us to wash hands.

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.

Spices

Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam borei minei v’samim.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates different kinds of fragrances.

Friday Evening Kiddush

(Reprinted with permission from Siddur Sim Shalom, published by the Rabbinic Assembly and edited by Jules Harlow. Copyright 1989.)

Transliteration of the Kiddush

Va’yihi erev va’y’hi voker

Yom ha’shishi. Va’yihulu ha’shamayim v’haaretz v’hol tzva’am. Va’yihal Elohim ba’yom ha’shvi’i milahto asher asah, va’yishbot ba’yom ha’shvi’i mikolmlahto asher asah. Va’yivareh Elohim et yom ha’shvi’i va’yikadeish oto, ki vo shavat mikol milahto, asher bara Elohim la’asot.

Savri maranan

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam, borei pri ha’gafen.

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’ratzah banu, v’shabbat kadsho b’ahava v’ratzon hinhilanu, zikaron l’maseh bireshit. Ki hu yom tehilah limikra’eh kodesh, zeher l’Yitziat mitrayim. Ki vanu beharta v’otanu kidashta mikol ha’amim, v’shabbat kadshihah b’ahava uviratzon hinhaltanu. Barukh atah Adonai, mikadesh ha’shabbat.

Listen to the Friday Night Blessings (courtesy of Mechon Hadar)

Discover More

How to Light Shabbat Candles

What you need to know about this ritual welcoming the Sabbath.

Friday Night at Home

The traditional Shabbat evening rituals are best shared with family and friends.

Shabbat 101

A weekly observance, the Sabbath is more than just a day off from labor.