Texts from their published editions. Guidance on what this tradition does at this moment is on the occasion page, and background on the tradition is at /traditions/jewish.
Texts from their published editions
Each text below was transcribed from the edition named under it and checked twice, independently, against that edition. Where the two transcriptions disagreed by even one character, the text is not shown here. That is a claim about wording only: these are not selected or endorsed for any particular situation, and nobody credentialed in the tradition has signed them. Older spelling is kept as the edition prints it.
The Priestly Blessing (JPS 1917)
The three-verse blessing of Numbers 6:24-26, pronounced by kohanim in the synagogue service and used by parents to bless children on Sabbath eve and at weddings and other life-cycle moments. Its synagogue recitation is restricted to those of priestly descent; its domestic use is not.
English · The Holy Scriptures According to the Masoretic Text (JPS), 1917
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee;
The LORD make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Jewish Publication Society of America, 1917. Published 1917, before 1929, US public domain. Source
Wording and scope vary between editions and between communities, so this entry is tied to one named edition and makes no claim about which form is right in a given setting.
The Priestly Blessing (Singer 1890)
The three-verse blessing of Numbers 6:24-26, pronounced by kohanim in the synagogue service and used by parents to bless children on Sabbath eve and at weddings and other life-cycle moments. Its synagogue recitation is restricted to those of priestly descent; its domestic use is not.
English · The Authorised Daily Prayer Book, with a New Translation, 1890
Our God and God of our fathers, bless us with the three-fold blessing of thy Law written by the hand of Moses thy servant, which was spoken by Aaron and his sons, the priests, thy holy people, as it is said, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee : the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee : the Lord turn his face unto thee, and give thee peace.
Simeon Singer. Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, 1890. Published 1890, before 1929, US public domain, and the translator died in 1906, so it is also clear in life-plus-70 jurisdictions. Source
Wording and scope vary between editions and between communities, so this entry is tied to one named edition and makes no claim about which form is right in a given setting.
The Traveller's Prayer (Singer 1890)
The Traveller's Prayer (Singer 1890), as it appears in the edition cited below.
English · The Authorised Daily Prayer Book, with a New Translation, 1890
May it be thy will, O Lord our God and God of our fathers, to conduct us in peace, to direct our steps in peace, to uphold us in peace, and to lead us in life, joy and peace unto the haven of our desire. O deliver us from every enemy, ambush and hurt by the way, and from all afflictions that visit and trouble the world. Send a blessing upon the work of our hands. Let us obtain grace, lovingkindness and mercy in thine eyes and in the eyes of all who behold us. Hearken to the voice of our supplications; for thou art a God who hearkenest unto prayer and supplication. Blessed art thou, O Lord, who hearkenest unto prayer.
And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is the camp of God : and he called the name of that place Mahanaim (a double camp). Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee by the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee : the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee : the Lord turn his face unto thee, and give thee peace.
Simeon Singer. Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, 1890. Published 1890, before 1929, US public domain, and the translator died in 1906, so it is also clear in life-plus-70 jurisdictions. Source
Wording and scope vary between editions and between communities, so this entry is tied to one named edition and makes no claim about which form is right in a given setting.
Nothing here has been signed by a reviewer credentialed in this tradition. When that happens, reviewed prayers appear above these, and these stay where they are, as an anthology. How that works.