This post describes the way in which one family includes all four generations present at their Shabbat table when performing the blessing over the children. Dale Schatz writes how each generation blesses the next, starting with the Great Grandmother. Although the author writes that they recite the traditional Hebrew blessing, he says that the blessing over the sons invokes the names of the three forefathers, when traditionally it is in the name of Ephraim and Menashe, the sons of Joseph. This source was shared on Ritualwell.org, a project of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College that recognizes the power of ritual and provides a platform for creating new Jewish practices and observances.
A Multi-Generational Blessing Over the Children
We do a « trickle down » Blessing of the Children, starting with the Great Grandmother:
She blesses the Grandparents;
they bless us, the Parents;
we bless our Children.
We always introduce the blessing by saying:
« And now Great Grandmother, who has known God the longest, will begin the ‘trickle down’ blessings! »
We use the traditional Hebrew language of blessing girls in the names of the four foremothers and boys in the names of the three forefathers.