Parents Blessings and Remarks A Blessing on Your Head (Mazal Tov, Mazal Tov)!
Temple Beth Ami offers each Bar & Bat Mitzvah family the wonderful opportunity to offer a blessing to your child on the bimah before friends and family during Shabbat morning worship. This is a sacred moment filled with love and Torah.
Content: In Genesis 12:12. G-d tells Abraham, “I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing.” Generations of Jews have enjoyed the mitzvah of blessing their children on this sacred day. Your child will speak to the congregation about the meaning of his/her Torah portion and how it affects the way he/she will live. Your blessing should briefly relate your hopes and dreams for your child, particularly in relation to being called to the Torah. It is an opportunity to articulate the meaning of the moment. This blessing is not to be confused with the speeches that may take place at the celebration following the service. This is a unique opportunity – in the presence of our community as well as friends and family —to ask G-d’s blessings for your daughter or son. If you wish you can choose from our selection of sample blessings or write your own. Regardless, the gesture should be addressed to your child, not the congregation. Moreover, it should be directed toward the future. Where do you hope this moment will lead your child? What do you hope he or she will take from here? Our rabbis will be available to assist you. When you are finished, please feel free to hug and kiss your child. Crying is permitted.
Length and manner of presentation: In order to maintain and preserve the sacred moment, we request that the parent’s blessing (whether delivered by one parent or two) be limited to two minutes. Nothing (like props or memorabilia of any sort) should distract from the sacred moment.
PARENT BLESSINGS MUST FOLLOW THIS GUIDE FORMAT
AND BE SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW/APPROVAL
WITH THE RABBI OFFICIATING AT YOUR SIMCHAH
AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO YOUR CHILD’S BAR/BAT MITZVAH.