Alternative English Sheva Brachot Texts

This post presents three alternative English adaptations of the Sheva Brachot – the Seven Blessings from the Nissuin (Nuptials) portion of the Jewish wedding ceremony. The first, Alternate Seven Blessings, removes all mention of God from the traditional text, while maintaining the subject of each of the blessings. The second, Abbreviated Sheva Brakhot by Reconstructionist leader, Lori Lefkovitz, is a poetic adaptation of the original blessings. The third, A New Seven Blessings by Reconstructionist Rabbi Amber Powers, rewrites the traditional words as an acknowledgement of the Unity of All, as opposed to a blessing of God. These texts were shared on Ritualwell, a project of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College that provides a platform for creating new Jewish practices and observances.

Alternate Seven Blessings

  1. Blessed is the earth, our provider. In her grows the fruit of the vine.
  2. Glorious is each thing, for “all things are beautiful in their time.”
  3. We are blessed by those who created us and who helped make us the people we are today.
  4. Blessed is life. Life contains infinite diversity in infinite combinations. It is a process of growth and change. May we continue to grow together.
  5. Blessed are those who bring people together and unite the divided, this work transforms our world and expresses hope for future generations.
  6. May this couple continue to experience the joys of loving companionship, as others have before them. Blessed are those who brighten this day and rejoice together.
  7. We are thankful for all that is good in this world. For good cheer and mirth, for lovers, music and celebration, kindness and affection, for loving communities, peace and companionship. May we hear the jubilant voices of people who love and people who are loved echo throughout the world. May we hear the voices of those who are silenced and those who have yet to be heard. May sounds of joy expressed by all life ring across the universe. Blessed are those who bring joy with them.

Abbreviated Sheva Brakhot

A classic Jewish wedding includes seven ancient expressions of gratitude. I invoke those generations now by reciting this time-honored formula of gratitude. The images in these blessings return us to the Garden of Eden, and they begin with the blessing over wine, always blessed at Jewish ceremonies, as wine is the ultimate symbol of joy and abundance.

Be blessed, Infinite God, the Power and Majesty of all
Who created the fruit of the vine,
Who created a glorious world,
Who created humanity in the Divine image
Who fashioned humanity male and female.
Let the barren land be happy and rejoice like
a parent whose children return in joy and fill the earth.

We bless God for the rejoicing of our children.
Let lovers and friends rejoice, and may their joy
give them an earthly paradise as a reward for
causing this bride and groom to rejoice.

We bless the Source of Life for creating
joy and happiness, bride and groom,
mirth, song, gladness and rejoicing, love,
harmony, peace and companionship.
May there soon be heard in the streets of the world,
voices of gladness, voices of brides and grooms,
of lovers shouting at their wedding feasts.

Be blessed, Infinite God, for letting this
bride and groom take joy in one another.

A New Seven Blessings

  1. We acknowledge the Unity of all, expressing our appreciation for life’s sweetness.
  2. We acknowledge the Unity of all, realizing that we are deeply interconnected. May you find comfort in your similarities and celebrate the qualities which make you different. May you be inspired each day by the abundance and diversity of the natural world.
  3. We acknowledge the Unity of all, recognizing and appreciating the blessing of being human. All people have the capacity for love, generosity, kindness and compassion. May you express these qualities freely with each other and be blessed to receive them throughout your lives together.
  4. May rejoicing resound throughout the world. May we envision a world in which persecution and oppression cease and all people and animals learn to live together in peace with each other and in harmony with their environment.
  5. From the Source of all, we call forth an abundance of love to envelop this couple. May you be for each other true partners, companions and best friends.
  6. We acknowledge the Unity of all, and we highlight today joy and gladness, bride and groom, delight and cheer, love and harmony. May we all witness the day when the dominant sounds through the world will be the sounds of happiness, laughter and celebration.
  7. Blessed be this marriage. May the bride and groom rejoice together.