To be read while preparing for immersion:

I stand here today in anticipation of welcoming a child.

As I arrive at this juncture, I carry with me the varied emotions of gratitude, excitement and fear.

I come today in amazement of the miracle of budding life, and in full acknowledgement of the strength and wisdom through which life is formed.

Hineini, here I am, ready to fulfill the obligations of being a loving parent, a devoted presence, and a dedicated guide throughout my child's journey. 

Clip source: Mayyim Hayyim

מַה־יָּקָ֥ר חַסְדְּךָ֗ אֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים וּבְנֵ֥י אָדָ֑ם בְּצֵ֥ל כְּ֝נָפֶ֗יךָ יֶחֱסָיֽוּן׃

Mah yakar hasdecha Elohim! U’vnei adam b’tzel knafeycha yechesayun

How precious is Your loving-kindness, O God! Humankind finds refuge in the shadow of Your wings. (Psalm 36:8)

Parents: The tallit is an embracing symbol of the Covenant between God and the Jewish people, and we are reminded of the mitzvot by the tzitzit on its corners. Today we envelop our child into the folds of a tallit as a symbol of his/her/their entry into our Covenant with God and Klal Yisrael. These past nine months we have journeyed together and created this tallit together for this moment, a symbol not only of the covenant between our child and God, but between us and our child. May this tallit serve as a symbol of our love, commitment and protection.

Our God and God of our ancestors, we thank you for the gift of this child, and for bringing him/her/them to us in good time and in good health. May he/she/they grow to maturity embraced by God’s love and the love of all who know him/her/them. May the words of Torah surround him/her/them. Clothed in majesty and honor, may he/she/they always look to the future with joy. May the Shekhinah, God’s sheltering presence, be with our precious child always.

The child is wrapped in the tallit. 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם זוֹכֵר הַבְּרִית בְּעֲטִיפָה בַּצִּיצִית.

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu, Melekh ha‘olam, zokher habrit ba‘atifah batzitzit.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the Universe, Who remembers the Covenant through the wrapping of a tallit. 

בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ שְכִינָה הַשּׁוֹמֶרֶת נַפְשוֹתֵינוּ תַּחַת כְּנָפֶיהָ.

Berukhah at Shekhinah, hashomeret nafshoteinu tahat kenafeha.

Blessed are You, Shekhinah, who shelters us beneath Her wings. 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.

Barukh atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melekh ha‘olam, sheheheyanu, vekiyemanu, vehigiy‘anu lazman hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

Clip source: Rabbi Sofia Zway

Take a deep breath and exhale completely, while gently and completely immersing for the second time. When you emerge, recite the following:

May I turn toward the light. May I turn toward hope. May I turn toward new possibilities. 

Source: Mayyim Hayyim

Said after childbirth, major surgery, surviving an accident, traveling overseas, being released from incarceration and other life-threatening situations, the Gomel Blessing has its origins in the Talmud. The blessing is said together with community. 

First, the person who has survived says: 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַגּוֹמֵל לְחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת שֶׁגְּמָלַנִי כָּל טוֹב

Barukh atah Adonai, Elohainu melekh haOlam, ha-gomel l’chayavim tovot she-g’malani kol tov.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the world, who rewards the undeserving with goodness, and who has rewarded me with goodness.

Then, the community responds: 

מִי שֶׁגְמַלְךָ כֹּל טוֹב הוּא יִגְמַלְךָ כֹּל טוֹב סֶלָה

May God who rewarded you with all goodness reward you with all goodness forever.  

Mi she-g’malcha kol tov, hu yi-g’malcha kol tov selah.

Slowly descend the steps into the mikveh waters and immerse completely so that every part of your body is covered by the water. When you emerge, recite the following blessing:

ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם    Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’olam  

אשר קדשנו בטבילה במים חיים      asher kidshanu bi-t’vilah b’mayyim hayyim.

Blessed are You, God, Majestic Spirit of the Universe

who makes us holy by embracing us in living waters. (1)

Clip source: Mayyim Hayyim