1. G‑d Commanded Abraham to Circumcise Himself
When Abraham was 99 years old, G‑d appeared to him and instructed him to circumcise himself and all the male members of his household, including his 13-year-old son Ishmael.1 After the circumcision, G‑d sent angels to inform Abraham that his wife Sarah would give birth to Isaac, the long-awaited heir to Abraham’s tradition.2
2. Isaac Was the First to Be Circumcised on the 8th Day of Life
G‑d told Abraham that the circumcision should take place on the 8th day of life.3 Isaac, born when Abraham and Sarah were 100 and 90 years old, was the first to be circumcised on the 8th day of life. 4
3. The Circumcision is Called a Brit (or Bris) Milah
In Hebrew, brit (or bris in classic Ashkenazic pronunciation) means “covenant,” and milah means circumcision. Thus brit milah is the covenant circumcision, the everlasting sign of the Jewish people’s indelible connection to G‑d.
Read: The Mark of Truth
4. The Person Who Performs a Brit Milah Is Known as a Mohel
The mohel is specially trained in the craft of circumcision. Technically, the obligation to circumcise rests on the father, but it is standard practice for the father to delegate this mitzvah to a skilled mohel. While it is customary (and proper) to compensate the mohel, tradition tells us that this is a free service. If a mohel refuses to circumcise the child of poor parents for free, the beth din (Jewish court) should reprimand him “because it is not the way of the seed of Abraham.”5
5. There Is No Female Circumcision in Judaism
The Talmud6 tells us that women are born “circumcised,” i.e., already possessing the additional holiness that comes with the brit milah. There is therefore no corresponding ceremony (and certainly no surgical procedure) for Jewish women.
6. The Circumcision Is Typically Held in the Morning
The entire eighth day (starting at sunrise) is kosher for circumcision, but not the night time. Yet, common custom is to hold the ceremony in the early morning—demonstrating our excitement to fulfill the mitzvah at the earliest possible moment.7
7. The Child’s Safety Takes Precedence
During the pre-brit consultation, the mohel will inspect the child. If he suspects that the bilirubin count is high or sees any other cause for concern, the circumcision is delayed until he (and your pediatrician) are absolutely sure that there is no health risk.
8. A Brit Is (Generally) Held Even on Shabbat or Jewish Holidays
The obligation to circumcise on the eighth day trumps certain Shabbat laws, so the brit milah is held on the eighth day even if it is a day when surgery would generally be forbidden. “Great is circumcision,” say the sages, “that it supersedes the stringent Shabbat.”8 However, this applies only if the brit is eight days after vaginal birth. If the child was born via C-section, or if the circumcision is delayed for any reason (including health concerns), it is not performed on Shabbat or Jewish holidays.9
9. A Chair Is Set for Elijah the Prophet Who Attends Every Brit Milah
According to mystic tradition, Elijah the Prophet was very critical of the Jewish people. “I vow,” said G‑d to Elijah, “that whenever My children make this sign in their flesh [i.e., whenever there is a circumcision], you will be present, and the mouth which testified that the Jewish people have abandoned My covenant will testify that they are keeping it.”10 It is for this reason the sages instituted that there be a seat of honor for Elijah at every circumcision.
Read: Why the Chair of Elijah?
10. Jews Have Risked Their Lives to Circumcise Their Sons
As far back as the Greek and Roman occupation of Israel, and as recent as the Communist era, Jewish parents and mohalim placed themselves and their children at great risk, defying oppressive laws to keep this sacred and fundamental Torah commandment. The sages notes, “A mitzvah like circumcision, for which the Jewish people gave themselves up to death, is still retained strongly.”11
11. The Sandak Holds the Baby
Sometimes described as the Jewish “godfather,” the sandak (often a revered rabbi or beloved relative) is honored with holding the baby during the brit milah. The sandak is typically seated with the baby on his lap for the duration of the brief ceremony.
12. The Kvaters Bring the Baby to the Sandak
A husband-and-wife team is honored with passing the baby from the mother to the sandak. The mother passes the baby to the woman, who then gives the baby to her husband, who brings the baby to the sandak. The couple are referred to as kvaters, and it is a role often given (sensitively) to those struggling to conceive, in the hope that their participation in bringing this child into the covenant of Abraham will be considered a blessing for the couple to be granted a child of their own.
13. The Baby Is Named After His Circumcision
Following the circumcision, a prayer is said for the baby in which his Jewish name is used (and thus announced) for the very first time. It is customary for the parents to keep the baby’s name a secret until this time.
Browse: Popular Jewish Names
14. The Circumcision Is Followed By a Celebratory Meal
Like a wedding, the circumcision is celebrated with a festive meal. Typical morning brit fare includes coffee and fish and dairy toppings on bread (think bagels and lox), but wine and meat is actually preferable. During this meal, people may give speeches on Torah topics, especially the significance of the mitzvah, the birth of the baby, or the name chosen.
Grace after Meals is recited with an extra six stanzas in honor of the festive occasion.
Print: English/Hebrew Grace After Meals With Additions for Circumcision
15. WHO Recommends Circumcision
Although it is not the reason why Jews practice circumcision, it is interesting to note that the World Health Organization (WHO) promotes it as an effective means of combating certain diseases. Health benefits aside, the reason Jews circumcise is simply because it is the sign of our nation’s connection to G‑d, one that transcends the constantly evolving medical consensus or opinion du jour.
Read: Why Circumcise?
16. Circumcision Is Part of the Conversion Process
For a male converting to Judaism, circumcision is part of the process (which also includes immersion in a mikvah and accepting the commandments). In the event that the prospective convert was already circumcised (as is often the case in the U.S.), a symbolic drop of blood is drawn. This is also done for a Jewish baby who was born with no foreskin.
17. The Night Before the Brit Milah Is an All-Nighter
Many have the custom to stay up the entire night before the brit learning Torah. The father studies excerpts from Zohar discussing the mystical significance of the brit milah. This all-night vigil is called a vach nacht, “wake night” in Yiddish. In Sephardic tradition, it is called Brit Yitzchak, “Covenant of Isaac.” In some communities, it comes with a celebratory meal of its own. There is an ancient custom that children come over to the home (earlier in the evening) and say verses of Torah in the presence of the baby.
18. A Celebration Is Held on the Friday Night Before the Brit
After the Shabbat meal on the Friday night between the birth and the brit milah, a celebration known as a shalom zachar is held in the baby’s honor. Traditionally, beer and chickpeas are served along with other finger food. One reason for the chickpeas is that they are reminiscent of the round eggs and lentils eaten at a house of mourning. What is there to mourn? In utero, the fetus sat and studied Torah which it forgets upon birth, and the chickpeas are our way of mourning that loss.
19. Eight Signifies a Leap Beyond the Logical
As much as we study and internalize the beautiful significance of brit milah, it remains beyond our understanding. Indeed, it expresses the bond that we have with G‑d, which transcends the human mind. Through placing a sign of our bond to G‑d at the place of human reproduction, we make the act of procreation into something sacred, spiritual, and special—beyond the natural. This is one reason the brit is held on the eighth day. Seven signifies the rational, natural order of things (seven heavens, seven days of the week, etc.). Eight is the leap beyond the limits of our world and a peek into the infinite.
20. Brit Milah Is Important For the Whole World.
The sages say that the mitzvah of circumcision is equal to all the other mitzvot of the Torah. Furthermore, we are told, heaven and earth only exist in the merit of this special act.12
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