The Prayer “Vayiten Lecha Ha-Elohim” — May G-d Give You of the Dew of Heaven

The Prayer — the Blessing “Vayiten Lecha Ha-Elohim” — (May G-d Give You of the Dew of Heaven)

The prayer “May G-d Give You of the Dew of Heaven” incorporates all the blessings of the Torah spoken to our Forefathers or uttered by the Forefathers themselves in various situations. This is the most powerful blessing for every Jew. The special quality of this prayer and blessing: In the Torah, Isaac blesses Jacob, thinking that he is Esau, and says the following words (Genesis 27:28): וְיִתֶּן-לְךָ הָאֱלֹקים מִטַּל הַשָּׁמַיִם וּמִשְׁמַנֵּי הָאָרֶץ — “Vayiten Lecha Ha-Elohim Umishmanei Ha-Aretz” — (May G-d give you of the dew of heaven and the fat of the earth). The second time, when he blesses Esau, he says the following verse (Genesis 27:39): אֵלָיו הִנֵּה מִשְׁמַנֵּי הָאָרֶץ יִהְיֶה מוֹשָׁבֶךָ וּמִטַּל הַשָּׁמַיִם מֵעָל — “Hinei Mishmanei Ha-Aretz Yihyeh Moshavecha, UmiTal HaShamayim MeAl” — (Behold, your dwelling place shall be in the fat places of the earth, watered from above by the dew of heaven). Both blessings mention the “dew of heaven” and the “fat of the earth,” but in a different order. In the first blessing—to Jacob—the order is from the heavenly dew to the fat of the earth: the spiritual comes first, followed by material abundance. This is the model of Jewish prosperity. In the second blessing—to Esau—the order is reversed: from the fat of the earth to the dew of heaven, with the material taking precedence. It is good to recite this at the conclusion of Shabbat, in order to fill one’s home with wondrous blessings for the coming week. It is also good to undertake it for 40 days as a segula for bringing all the blessings of the Forefathers into one’s life.   Kavanot for Netilat Yadayim and the Prayer “Vayiten Lecha” Ben Ish Chai (may his merit protect us) reveals how the words of the first verse of the prayer “Vayiten Lecha” correspond to the Ten Sefirot and which kavanot should be contemplated. More details here: Ben Ish Chai – Kavanot for Netilat Yadayim     The Prayer — the Blessing “Vayiten Lecha Ha-Elohim MiTal HaShamayim” וְיִתֶּן לְךָ הָאֱלֹקים מִטַּל הַשָּׁמַיִם וּמִשְׁמַנֵּי הָאָרֶץ וְרֹב דָּגָן וְתִירֹשׁ. כט יַעַבְדוּךָ עַמִּים וישתחו [וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ] לְךָ לְאֻמִּים הֱוֵה גְבִיר לְאַחֶיךָ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲוּוּ לְךָ בְּנֵי אִמֶּךָ אֹרְרֶיךָ אָרוּר וּמְבָרֲכֶיךָ בָּרוּךְ — Vayiten Lecha Ha-Elohim MiTal HaShamayim Umishmanei HaAretz Verov Dagan VeTirosh. YaAvducha Amim VeYishtachavu Lecha Leumim, Heveh Gevir LeAchecha VeYishtachavu Lecha Bnei Immecha, Orerecha—Arur, Umevarechecha—Baruch! (Genesis 27:28–29) May G-d give you of the dew of heaven and the fat of the earth, and an abundance of grain and wine. May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. Become master over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. Those who curse you shall be cursed, and those who bless you shall be blessed.   וְאֵ׳׳ל שַׁקי יְבָרֵךְ אֹתְךָ וְיַפְרְךָ וְיַרְבֶּךָ וְהָיִיתָ לִקְהַל עַמִּים, יִתֶּן-לְךָ אֶת-בִּרְכַּת אַבְרָהָם לְךָ וּלְזַרְעֲךָ אִתָּךְ לְרִשְׁתְּךָ אֶת-אֶרֶץ מְגֻרֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר-נָתַן אֱלֹקים לְאַבְרָהָם — Ve-El Shaddai Yevarech Otcha VeYafrecha VeYarbecha, VeHayita LiKehal Amim. VeYiten Lecha Et Birkat Avraham Lecha ULeZaracha Itach. LeRishtecha Et Eretz Megurecha Asher Natan Elohim LeAvraham. (Genesis 28:3–4) May G-d Almighty bless you, make you fruitful, and multiply you, and may you become an assembly of peoples. May He grant you the blessing of Abraham, to you and your offspring with you, so that you may inherit the land of your sojourns, which G-d gave to Abraham.   מֵאֵ׳׳ל אָבִיךָ וְיַעְזְרֶךָּ וְאֵת שַׁקי וִיבָרְכֶךָּ בִּרְכֹת שָׁמַיִם מֵעָל בִּרְכֹת תְּהוֹם רֹבֶצֶת תָּחַת בִּרְכֹת שָׁדַיִם וָרָחַם. כו בִּרְכֹת אָבִיךָ גָּבְרוּ עַל בִּרְכֹת הוֹרַי עַד תַּאֲוַת גִּבְעֹת עוֹלָם תִּהְיֶין לְרֹאשׁ יוֹסֵף וּלְקָדְקֹד נְזִיר אֶחָיו — Me-El Avicha VeYaZreka, VeEt Shaddai ViVarecheka, Birchot Shamayim MeAl, Birchot Tehom Rovetzet Tachat, Birchot Shadayim VaRacham. Birchot Avicha Gavru Al Birchot Horai, Ad Taavat Givot Olam Tihyena LeRosh Yosef ULeKodkod Nezir Echav. (Genesis 49:25–26) From the G-d of your father, may He help you, and may Shaddai bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep lying below, blessings of the breast and womb. The blessings of your father surpass the blessings of my parents, to the utmost limits of the eternal hills. May they rest upon the head of Joseph and upon the crown of the one distinguished among his brothers.   וַאֲהֵבְךָ וּבֵרַכְךָ וְהִרְבֶּךָ וּבֵרַךְ פְּרִי בִטְנְךָ וּפְרִי אַדְמָתֶךָ דְּגָנְךָ וְתִירֹשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶךָ שְׁגַר אֲלָפֶיךָ וְעַשְׁתְּרֹת צֹאנֶךָ עַל הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע לַאֲבֹתֶיךָ לָתֶת לָךְ.  בָּרוּךְ תִּהְיֶה מִכָּל הָעַמִּים לֹא יִהְיֶה בְךָ עָקָר וַעֲקָרָה וּבִבְהֶמְתֶּךָ. וְהֵסִיר ה׳ מִמְּךָ כָּל חֹלִי וְכָל מַדְוֵי מִצְרַיִם הָרָעִים אֲשֶׁר יָדַעְתָּ לֹא יְשִׂימָם בָּךְ וּנְתָנָם בְּכָל שֹׂנְאֶיךָ — VeAhevcha UVeirachecha VeHirbecha, UVeirach Peri Vitnecha, UFri Admatecha Deganecha VeTiroshecha VeYitzharecha, Shegar Alafecha VeAshterot Tzonecha, Al HaAdamah Asher Nishba LaAvotecha LaTet Lach. Baruch Tihyeh MiKol HaAmim, Lo Yihyeh Vecha Akar VaAkara UViVheMtecha. VeHesir Ado-nai Mimcha Kol Choli, VeKol Madvei Mitzrayim HaRa'im Asher Yadata Lo Yesimam Bach, UNeTานam BeChol Sone'echa. (Deuteronomy 7:13–15) He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your soil—your grain, wine, and oil—the offspring of your cattle and the wealth of your flocks, on the land that He swore to your fathers to give you. You shall be blessed above all peoples; there will be no infertile male or female among you or your livestock. The L-rd will remove all illness from you and will not bring upon you any of the terrible diseases of Egypt that you knew; rather, He will bring them upon all your enemies.   בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה בָּעִיר וּבָרוּךְ אַתָּה בַּשָּׂדֶה. ד בָּרוּךְ פְּרִי בִטְנְךָ וּפְרִי אַדְמָתְךָ וּפְרִי בְהֶמְתֶּךָ שְׁגַר אֲלָפֶיךָ וְעַשְׁתְּרוֹת צֹאנֶךָ. ה בָּרוּךְ טַנְאֲךָ וּמִשְׁאַרְתֶּךָ. ו בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה בְּבֹאֶךָ וּבָרוּךְ אַתָּה בְּצֵאתֶךָ — Baruch Atah BaIr, UVaruch Atah BaSadeh. Baruch Peri Vitnecha UFri Admatecha UFri Vehemtecha, Shegar Alafecha VeAshterot Tzonecha. Baruch Tanacha UMishartecha. Baruch Atah BeVo'echa, UVaruch Atah BeTzetecha. (Deuteronomy 28:3–6) Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your soil, and the fruit of your livestock: the offspring of your cattle and the wealth of your flocks. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.   יְצַו ה׳ אִתְּךָ אֶת הַבְּרָכָה בַּאֲסָמֶיךָ וּבְכֹל מִשְׁלַח יָדֶךָ וּבֵרַכְךָ בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר ה׳ אֱלֹקיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ — Yetzav Ado-nai Itcha Et HaBerachah BaAsamecha UVeChol Mishlach Yadecha, UVeirachecha BaAretz Asher Ado-nai Elohecha Noten Lach. (Deuteronomy 28:8) The L-rd will ordain blessing for you in your storehouses and in all your undertakings, and He will bless you in the land that the L-rd your G-d is giving you.   יִפְתַּח ה׳ לְךָ אֶת אוֹצָרוֹ הַטּוֹב אֶת הַשָּׁמַיִם לָתֵת מְטַר אַרְצְךָ בְּעִתּוֹ וּלְבָרֵךְ אֵת כָּל מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶךָ וְהִלְוִיתָ גּוֹיִם רַבִּים וְאַתָּה לֹא תִלְוֶה — Yiftach Ado-nai Lecha Et Otzaro HaTov Et HaShamayim, LaTet Metar Artzecha BeIto ULevarech Et Kol Maaseh Yadecha, VeHilvita Goyim Rabim VeAtah Lo Tilveh. (Deuteronomy 28:12) The L-rd will open for you His good treasury, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow.   אַשְׁרֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל מִי כָמוֹךָ עַם נוֹשַׁע בַּה׳ מָגֵן עֶזְרֶךָ וַאֲשֶׁר חֶרֶב גַּאֲוָתֶךָ וְיִכָּחֲשׁוּ אֹיְבֶיךָ לָךְ וְאַתָּה עַל בָּמוֹתֵימוֹ תִדְרֹךְ — Ashrecha Yisrael, Mi Chamocha Am Nosha BaAdo-nai, Magen Ezrecha VaAsher Cherev GaAvatecha, VeYikachashu Oyvecha Lach, VeAtah Al Bamoteimo Tidroch. (Deuteronomy 33:29) Happy are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the L-rd, your protecting shield and triumphant sword? Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread upon their high places.   המלאך הגאל אתי מכל רע יברך את הנערים ויקרא בהם שמי ושם אבתי אברהם ויצחק וידגו לרב בקרב הארץ — HaMalach HaGoel Oti MiKol Ra Yevarech Et HaNe'arim VeYikareh Vahem Shemi VeShem Avotai Avraham VeYitzchak, VeYidgu LaRov BeKerev HaAretz. (Genesis 48:16) May the angel who has redeemed me from all harm bless the lads. May they be called by my name and by the names of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac, and may they multiply like fish in the midst of the earth!   יִשְׂרָאֵל נוֹשַׁע בַּה׳ תְּשׁוּעַת עוֹלָמִים לֹא תֵבֹשׁוּ וְלֹא תִכָּלְמוּ עַד עוֹלְמֵי עַד — Yisrael Nosha BaAdo-nai Teshuat Olamim, Lo Tevoshu VeLo Tikalemu Ad Olmei Ad. (Isaiah 45:17) Israel is saved by the L-rd with an everlasting salvation; you shall never be put to shame or disgraced, throughout all eternity.   וַאֲכַלְתֶּם אָכוֹל וְשָׂבוֹעַ וְהִלַּלְתֶּם אֶת שֵׁם ה׳ אֱלֹקיכֶם אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה עִמָּכֶם לְהַפְלִיא וְלֹא יֵבֹשׁוּ עַמִּי לְעוֹלָם. כז וִידַעְתֶּם כִּי בְקֶרֶב יִשְׂרָאֵל אָנִי וַאֲנִי ה׳ אֱלֹקיכֶם וְאֵין עוֹד וְלֹא יֵבֹשׁוּ עַמִּי לְעוֹלָם — VaAchaltem Achol VeSavoa, VeHilaltem Et Shem Ado-nai Eloheichem Asher Asah Imachem LeHafli, VeLo Yevoshu Ami LeOlam. ViDaTem Ki VeKerev Yisrael Ani, VaAni Ado-nai Eloheichem VeEin Od, VeLo Yevoshu Ami LeOlam. (Joel 2:26–27) You shall eat your fill and praise the Name of the L-rd your G-d, who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never again be shamed. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the L-rd your G-d, and there is none other; and My people shall never again be shamed.   וּפְדוּיֵי ה׳ יְשֻׁבוּן וּבָאוּ צִיּוֹן בְּרִנָּה וְשִׂמְחַת עוֹלָם עַל רֹאשָׁם שָׂשׂוֹן וְשִׂמְחָה יַשִּׂיגוּ וְנָסוּ יָגוֹן וַאֲנָחָה — “U-Fevuyei Ado-nai Yeshuvun U-Vau Tziyon BeRinah VeSimchat Olam Al Rosham Sason VeSimcha Yasigu VeNasu Yagon VaAnachah.” (Isaiah 35:10) And the redeemed of the L-rd shall return and come to Zion with song; everlasting joy shall crown their heads. They shall attain gladness and joy, while sorrow and sighing shall flee.   יב כִּי בְשִׂמְחָה תֵצֵאוּ וּבְשָׁלוֹם תּוּבָלוּן הֶהָרִים וְהַגְּבָעוֹת יִפְצְחוּ לִפְנֵיכֶם רִנָּה וְכָל עֲצֵי הַשָּׂדֶה יִמְחֲאוּ כָף — “Ki VeSimcha Tetze'u UVeShalom Tuvalun, HeHarim VeHaGvaot Yiftzechu Lifneichem Rinah VeChol Atzei HaSadeh Yimchau Chaf.” (Isaiah 55:12) For you shall go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills shall break into song before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.   ב הִנֵּה אֵ׳׳ל יְשׁוּעָתִי אֶבְטַח וְלֹא אֶפְחָד כִּי עָזִּי וְזִמְרָת יָ׳׳הּ ה׳ וַיְהִי לִי לִישׁוּעָה. ג וּשְׁאַבְתֶּם מַיִם בְּשָׂשׂוֹן מִמַּעַיְנֵי הַיְשׁוּעָה. ד וַאֲמַרְתֶּם בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא הוֹדוּ לַה׳ קִרְאוּ בִשְׁמוֹ הוֹדִיעוּ בָעַמִּים עֲלִילֹתָיו הַזְכִּירוּ כִּי נִשְׂגָּב שְׁמוֹ. ה זַמְּרוּ ה׳ כִּי גֵאוּת עָשָׂה מידעת [מוּדַעַת] זֹאת בְּכָל הָאָרֶץ. ו צַהֲלִי וָרֹנִּי יוֹשֶׁבֶת צִיּוֹן כִּי גָדוֹל בְּקִרְבֵּךְ קְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל — Hinei El Yeshuati Evtach VeLo Efchad, Ki Ozi VeZimrat Yah Ado-nai, VaYehi Li LiYeshuah. UShe'avtem Mayim BeSason MiMaayenei HaYeshuah. VaAmartem BaYom HaHu, Hodu LaAdo-nai Kiru ViShmo, Hodi'u VaAmim Alilotav, Haskiru Ki NIsgav Shemo. Zameru Ado-nai Ki Ge'ut Asah, Muda'at Zot BeChol HaAretz. Tzahali VaRoni Yoshevet Tziyon, Ki Gadol BeKirbech Kedosh Yisrael. (Isaiah 12:2–6) Behold, G-d is my salvation; I will trust and not fear. For G-d the L-rd is my strength and song, and He has been my salvation. You shall draw water with joy from the wellsprings of salvation. And you shall say on that day: Give thanks to the L-rd, call upon His Name, make His deeds known among the nations, proclaim that His Name is exalted. Sing praise to the L-rd, for He has performed greatness; let this be known throughout the earth. Rejoice and sing, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.   ט וְאָמַר בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא הִנֵּה אֱלֹקינוּ זֶה קִוִּינוּ לוֹ וְיוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ זֶה ה׳ קִוִּינוּ לוֹ נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בִּישׁוּעָתוֹ — VeAmar BaYom HaHu: Hinei Eloheinu Zeh, Kivinu Lo VeYoshi'einu, Zeh Ado-nai Kivinu Lo, Nagilah VeNismecha BiYeshuaTo. (Isaiah 25:9) And the community shall say on that day: Behold, this is our G-d; we placed our hope in Him, and He saved us. This is the L-rd; we placed our hope in Him. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.   יט בּוֹרֵא נוב [נִיב] שְׂפָתָיִם שָׁלוֹם שָׁלוֹם לָרָחוֹק וְלַקָּרוֹב אָמַר ה׳ וּרְפָאתִיו — Borei Niv Sefataim, Shalom Shalom LaRachok VeLaKarov, Amar Ado-nai, URefativ. (Isaiah 57:19) The Creator declares: Peace, peace to the distant and to the near—said the L-rd—and I will heal him.   וְרוּחַ לָבְשָׁה אֶת עֲמָשַׂי רֹאשׁ השלושים [הַשָּׁלִישִׁים] לְךָ דָוִיד וְעִמְּךָ בֶן יִשַׁי שָׁלוֹם שָׁלוֹם לְךָ וְשָׁלוֹם לְעֹזְרֶךָ כִּי עֲזָרְךָ אֱלֹקיךָ וַיְקַבְּלֵם דָּוִיד וַיִּתְּנֵם בְּרָאשֵׁי הַגְּדוּד — VeRuach Lavshah Et Amasai Rosh HaShalishim, Lecha David VeImcha Ven Yishai, Shalom Shalom Lecha VeShalom LeOzercha Ki Azarcha Elohecha, VaYekablem David VaYitnem BeRoshei HaGedud. (I Chronicles 12:19) The spirit enveloped Amasai, chief of the captains: We are yours, David, and with you, son of Jesse. Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helper, for your G-d helps you. David received them and appointed them as chiefs of the band.   [Recite 7 times] ;ו וַאֲמַרְתֶּם כֹּה לֶחָי וְאַתָּה שָׁלוֹם וּבֵיתְךָ שָׁלוֹם וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר לְךָ שָׁלוֹם   — VaAmartem Koh LeChai, VeAtah Shalom UVeitcha Shalom VeChol Asher Lecha Shalom. (I Samuel 25:6) And say: May it be so for life! Peace be with you, peace be with your household, and peace be with all that is yours.   בָּרוּךְ הַגֶּבֶר אֲשֶׁר יִבְטַח בַּה׳ וְהָיָה ה׳ מִבְטַחוֹ — “Baruch HaGever Asher Yivtach BaAdo-nai, VeHaya Ado-nai Mivtacho.” (Jeremiah 17:7) Blessed is the person who trusts in the L-rd, whose confidence is in the L-rd.   יא ה׳ עֹז לְעַמּוֹ יִתֵּן ה׳ יְבָרֵךְ אֶת עַמּוֹ בַשָּׁלוֹם — “Ado-nai Oz LeAmo Yiten, Ado-nai Yevarech Et Amo VaShalom.” (Tehillim 29:11) The L-rd will give strength to His people; the L-rd will bless His people with peace.   א שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת אַ֭שְׁרֵי כָּל־יְרֵ֣א ה׳ הַ֝הֹלֵ֗ךְ בִּדְרָכָֽיו׃ ב יְגִ֣יעַ כַּ֭פֶּיךָ כִּ֣י תֹאכֵ֑ל אַ֝שְׁרֶ֗יךָ וְט֣וֹב לָֽךְ׃ ג אֶשְׁתְּךָ֤ ׀ כְּגֶ֥פֶן פֹּרִיָּה֮ בְּיַרְכְּתֵ֪י בֵ֫יתֶ֥ךָ בָּ֭נֶיךָ כִּשְׁתִלֵ֣י זֵיתִ֑ים סָ֝בִ֗יב לְשֻׁלְחָנֶֽךָ׃ ד הִנֵּ֣ה כִי־כֵ֭ן יְבֹ֥רַךְ גָּ֗בֶר יְרֵ֣א ה׳׃ ה יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ ה׳ מִצִּ֫יּ֥וֹן וּ֭רְאֵה בְּט֣וּב יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם כֹּ֝֗ל יְמֵ֣י חַיֶּֽיךָ׃ ו וּרְאֵֽה־בָנִ֥ים לְבָנֶ֑יךָ שָׁ֝ל֗וֹם עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל   Shir HaMa'alot Ashrei Kol Yerei Ado-nai, HaHolech BiDerachav. Yegia Kapecha Ki To'chel, Ashrecha VeTov Lach. Eshetcha KeGefen Poriya BeYarketei Veitecha, Banecha KiShtilei Zeitim Saviv LeShulchanecha. Hinei Ki Chen Yevorach Gever Yerei Ado-nai. Yevarechecha Ado-nai MiTziyon, URe'eh BeTuv Yerushalayim Kol Yemei Chayecha. URe'eh Vanim LeVanecha, Shalom Al Yisrael. (Tehillim 128)   A Song of Ascents. Happy are all who fear the L-rd, who follow His ways. You shall enjoy the fruit of your labors; you shall be happy, and it shall be good for you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your home; your children, like olive saplings around your table. Such is the blessing of the man who fears the L-rd. May the L-rd bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you see your children's children. Peace upon Israel!   (according to the Sephardic Siddur “Ateret Menachem,” published by hakodesh.co.il)