The Circumcision on a Holiday or Shabbat

Shabbat

The brit milah, ritual circumcision, is performed on the eighth day following birth, even if that day is Shabbat. However, this is only if the child was delivered naturally. If the child was delivered through Cesarean section, the circumcision is postponed until Sunday.

Similarly, if for any reason the circumcision has already been postponed, it may no longer be performed on Shabbat, but rather on the first possible weekday.

If the baby was born in the late afternoon on Friday, between sunset and nightfall, there is doubt as to whether he was born on Friday or on Shabbat, and the circumcision is held on the following Sunday.

When performing a circumcision on Shabbat, it is necessary to complete all the preparations for the circumcision and meal prior to the onset of Shabbat, at sunset on Friday (click here to find the local time in your area). Only tasks essential to the circumcision itself may be done that day. A Rabbi should be consulted for details.

The circumcision is also held at home, for we don’t carry outside on Shabbat.

Holidays

The above also applies to major Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashanah, the first two days of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, the first two and last two days of Passover, and both days of Shavuot.

In contrast to Shabbat, there are some forms of work permitted on Jewish holidays. Nevertheless, many of the preparations for a holiday circumcision must also be completed before the onset of the holiday. A competent mohel, ritual circumciser, should be consulted for details.

When the Circumcision Is Performed on Holidays

Rosh Hashanah: The circumcision is performed during the morning services, following the Torah reading and before the blowing of the shofar.

Yom Kippur: The circumcision is performed during the morning services, following the Torah reading. The celebratory meal is held at night, after the fast is over.

Sukkot: The circumcision is performed at the usual time, not in the sukkah. However, the celebratory meal is held in the sukkah.

Purim: The circumcision is performed during the morning services, following the Torah reading but before the reading of the megillah scroll. If the circumcision is performed at home, it is done after the reading of the megillah.

Tisha B’Av: The brit is performed following the recitation of the elegies (Kinot) at the end of the morning services. The celebratory meal is held at night, after the fast is over.