It is a beautiful custom to bless the children on the evening of Shabbat (Friday night). It’s a moment filled with love and meaning and it creates a special bound between parents and children. It is really one of the highlights of the week.
I designed a papercut for the blessing of daughters, Birkat Habanot, using motives from traditional papercuts – menorah, gazelle (one of the Four Animals), the crown of the Torah – together with cypress trees and olive trees. Why the latter?
Cypress: The Babylonian Talmud relates: At the birth of a girl, a cypress tree is planted, and at the birth of a boy a cedar tree is planted. When they are ready to marry, two branches are cut from each tree to make up the four poles that hold up the chuppa.
Olive tree: We all cherish olive oil as it gives the Mediterranean kitchen its unique, wonderful flavour. Olive oil plays a significant role in Judaism including it’s use for the menorah in the Holy Temple. It is also the symbol of hope for peace. After the flood, a dove brought Noah an olive leaf to show that the waters had abated. That’s why the olive is one of the Seven Species with which the Land of Israel is blessed.
The text of the Birkat HaBanot:
May G-d shine His face toward you and show you favor.
May G-d be favorably disposed to you and grant you peace.