~Blessing of the Children~

Y'simcha Elokim k'Efrayim v'chiMenashshe (for girls: Yismcha Elokim k'Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel v'Leah)
May G-d make you like Efrayim and Menashshe (May G-d make you like Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah).

Y'varech'cha Hashem v'yishm'recha
May Hashem bless you and safeguard you.

Ya'eir Hashem panav eleicha vichunecha
May Hashem illuminate His countenance for you and be gracious to you.

Yisa Hashem panav eleicha v'yasem l'cha shalom
May Hashem turn His countenance to you and establish peace to you.

The flow of Divine beneficence and blessing comes with the beginning of the Shabbat makes it a particularly auspicious time for such blessings.

When conferring the blessing, parents should have in mind a silent prayer that they should be able to raise their children and grandchildren to lives of Torah, marriage and good deeds. Both hands should be laid upon the head of the child to signify that the blessing is conveyed with complete generosity of spirit.