Traditions

Shehecheyanu Background

Baruch ata adonai elohenu melech ha olam, shehecheyanu, v'kiyimanu, v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh.
Blessed are You Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe who has given us life, sustained us, and allowed us to reach this day.

This most joyous blessing is recited at the arrival of any long awaited occasion. Holidays come once a year, as does sinking your teeth into the first peach or blueberry of summer, and events such as b'nai mitzvah or the arrival of a new baby come once a lifetime (or hopefully a few times as a parent). All of these are occasions to say the Shehecheyanu.

Making a point to recite this blessing enriches one's appreciation of the little things in life, and is a wonderful Jewish tradition to invoke in the family. It can become a natural part of the growth and cycles of life - first steps, first days of school, planting a garden in the spring (and then harvesting from it), moving into a new house.

More Traditions
Baby Naming
Brit Milah
Mezzuzah
Bar/Bat
Tzedakah