The Seven Blessings
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
May you tend your marriage like a vineyard. Plant the seeds, water and weed as necessary. Find joy in the day-to-day, savoring the grapes and grape juice even as you imagine the richness of the wine to come, because day-to-day is most of life. Remember that some things are out of your control, but remember also that you are making wine for the long term, and hold onto that vision. Support and appreciate each other, because each season is a chance to embrace one another and share your goals anew.
Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, King of the universe, Who has created everything for your glory.
Even as your vineyard thrives and your wine ages and gains richness, may you always take the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat—to step back, rest, and feel gratitude for the blessings you have brought and continue to bring one another.
Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, King of the universe, Creator of Human Beings.Â
Nobody thrives in isolation, so may you be blessed, now and forever, with the support of your families, friends, and community. Know that we all love you, and, should you need help, we are all here to give it—all you need to do is ask. Please do not be afraid to ask, for any reason!
Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, King of the universe, Who has fashioned human beings in your image, according to your likeness and has fashioned from it a lasting mold. Blessed are You Adonai, Creator of Human Beings.
We may be made in god’s image, but we all have our differences. May you be blessed by your differences, so you continue to learn from one another. May you forever allow each other to change and to grow, and to feel safe sharing those changes. May you find understanding of each other even in disagreement. And may the disagreements pass quickly.
Bring intense joy and exultation to the barren one (JerusalemLit. City of peace From the time of David to the Roman destruction, Jerusalem was the capital of Israel and the spiritual and governmental center of the Jewish people. During the long exile, Jews longed to return to Jerusalem and wrote poems, prayers, and songs about the beloved city. In 1967, with the capture of the Old City, Jerusalem was reunited, becoming "the eternal capital of Israel." Still, the longing for peace is unfulfilled.) through the ingathering of her children amidst her in gladness. Blessed are You, Adonai, Who gladdens Zion through her children.
May you appreciate each of your children as the unique individuals they will be, and may you also continue to see each other as individuals—not just “Mom” and “Dad,” but as the individuals, who came together before children, and who will go on together after the nest has emptied. May you find deeper love for one another in the teamwork of child-rearing. May you mindfully enjoy all the time you have with your kids, because it is so fleeting.
Gladden the beloved companions as You gladdened Your creatures in the garden of Eden. Blessed are You, Adonai, Who gladdens groom and bride.
May you remember every day what brought you together, and find joy in your companionship, your shared goals, your dreams. Make a list of what gladdens you about each other, and look to be adding to that list every day, month, year. Each season, each harvest, brings new experiences, new ways to learn more about each other, and to learn how to work together, laugh together, love together.
Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, King of the universe, Who created joy and gladness, groom and bride, mirth, glad song, pleasure, delight, love, neighborhood, peace, and companionship. Adonai, our God, let there soon be heard in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the grooms’ jubilance from their canopies and of the youths from their song-filled feasts. Blessed are You Who causes the groom to rejoice with his bride.
