The ritual opens with singing: if on Zoom, one person sings unmuted, everyone else sings on mute: “Berukhah haba’ah b’shem adonai.” Blessed is she who comes in God’s name.
The host says: We welcome into our community and into the yoke of mitzvotLit. Commandment. It is traditionally held that there are 613 mitzvot (plural) in Judaism, both postive commandments (mandating actions) and negative commandments (prohibiting actions). Mitzvah has also become colloquially assumed to mean the idea of a “good deed." [child’s name]. We remember the seven female prophets who came before her and who added their distinctive specialness to our community (MegillahLit. Scroll Usually refers specifically the Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther) read on Purim, telling the story of how Esther saved the Jewish people. Megillat Ruth is read on Shavuot. 14a).
The blessings will be read by seven Jewish women who [the parent/s] have asked to play a role in bringing [the child] into Jewish womanhood.
Leader: first blessing is read by [person and their relationship to the child]
“We offer this blessing in honor of SarahThe first matriarch, wife of Abraham, and mother of Isaac, whom she birthed at the age of 90. Sarah, in Rabbinic tradition, is considered holy, beautiful, and hospitable. Many prayers, particularly the Amidah (the central silent prayer), refer to God as Magen Avraham – protector of Abraham. Many Jews now add: pokehd or ezrat Sarah – guardian or helper of Sarah., princess and matriarch. May you be like Sarah, strong and wise, whose voice was listened to.”
Leader: second blessing is read by [person and their relationship to the child]
“We offer this blessing in honor of MiriamMiriam is the sister of Moses and Aaron. As Moses' and Aaron's sister she, according to midrash, prophesies Moses' role and helps secure it by watching over the young baby, seeing to it that Pharaoh's daughter takes him and that the baby is returned to his mother for nursing. During the Israelites' trek through the desert, a magical well given on her behalf travels with the Israelites, providing water, healing, and sustenance., prophet and leader. May you be like Miriam, who sang and danced in joy with her sisters at the Reed Sea.”
Leader: third blessing is read by [person and their relationship to the child]
“We offer this blessing in honor of Deborah, judge, prophetess and warrior. May you be like Deborah, who judged wisely, a woman of fire.”
Leader: fourth blessing is read by [person and their relationship to the child]
“We offer this blessing in honor of HannahHannah is the mother of the prophet Samuel, who, through her prayers, is rewarded a child. She herself is also considered a prophet. Hannah's intense devotional style of prayer becomes the model, in rabbinic Judaism, for prayer in general., who opened her heart to God. May you be like Hannah, who prayed and who exulted in God.”
Leader: fifth blessing is read by [person and their relationship to the child]
“We offer this blessing in honor of AbigailOne of David's wives and a prophetess, known for her cleverness and beauty. She has the longest continous monologue of any woman in Hebrew scripture. Her Hebrew name is Avigail., who used her words wisely and vibrantly to control her own narrative. May you be like Abigail, hospitable and independently minded.”
Leader: sixth blessing is read by [person and their relationship to the child]
“We offer this blessing in honor of Hulda, who recognized the authentic word of God through her reading of texts, and whose learning and validation became the bedrock of the creation of our sacred books. May you be like Hulda the prophetess, who lived in 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. and who spoke God’s word.”
Leader: seventh blessing is read by [person and their relationship to the child]
“We offer this blessing in honor of EstherHeroine of the Purim story and Megillat (the scroll of) Esther. She is married to the king by her cousin Mordecai and ultimately saves her people from execution., who found and used her own voice to help the oppressed. May you be like Esther, brave and clever, who saved her people through her own relationships.”
Leader: “We offer these blessings to proclaim the work of our mothers, and to ask for blessing so that [child’s name] may follow their example. We name her today, we bring her into the company of our people, we accept the mitzvot on her behalf, and we pray that she too will hear the voice of God, and that her voice will be heard in our world.
She stood with us at SinaiAccording to the Torah, God, in the presence of the Jewish people, gave Moses the Torah on Mount Sinai (Har Sinai)., we stand here with her today. As she is made in the image of God, we call down God’s presence to dwell with her throughout her life.”
Blessing over wine: Barukh atah adonai, eloheinu melekh ha’olam, borei pri hagafen
Her responsibilities are many, she will work in the world, yet she will not lose the privilege of welcoming in the ShabbatShabbat is the Sabbath day, the Day of Rest, and is observed from Friday night through Saturday night. Is set aside from the rest of the week both in honor of the fact that God rested on the seventh day after creating the world. On Shabbat, many Jews observe prohibitions from various activities designated as work. Shabbat is traditionally observed with festive meals, wine, challah, prayers, the reading and studying of Torah, conjugal relations, family time, and time with friends., and we will soon give her her own Shabbat candlesticks and kiddushThe prayer recited over wine on Shabbat, holidays, and other joyous occasions. cup. May she use them in the future to create her own Jewish home, and to welcome in her children to kehillat yisrael, the community of IsraelLit. ''the one who struggles with God.'' Israel means many things. It is first used with reference to Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel (Genesis 32:29), the one who struggles with God. Jacob's children, the Jewish people, become B'nai Israel, the children of Israel. The name also refers to the land of Israel and the State of Israel.. They are a sign of her entry into the Covenant today, that she may use them to demonstrate that Covenant every seventh day, and take her place within it.
