Birth and circumcision are pivotal Jewish lifecycle events. They mark a child's entry into the covenant between God and the Jewish people, symbolizing continuity and commitment to Jewish tradition.

The brit milah ceremony, performed on the eighth day for boys, is a physical representation of this covenant. For girls, alternative welcoming ceremonies have emerged to celebrate their birth and entry into the Jewish community.

Birth and Covenant in Jewish Tradition

The Significance of Birth in Judaism

• In Judaism, birth represents the beginning of a child's life and their entry into the Jewish covenant (brit), a pact between God and the Jewish people
• Jewish tradition teaches that all Jews, from birth, have a unique role in the world and are part of a sacred covenant with responsibilities and privileges
• The birth of a child is seen as a profound blessing and a miracle to be celebrated by the family and community
  • Special prayers (Shehecheyanu, Hatov Vehameitiv) and rituals (lighting candles, reciting Psalm 121) accompany the birth

Entering the Covenant

• Welcoming a child into the covenant symbolizes the continuity of the Jewish people and the passing down of Jewish tradition and values to the next generation
• The concept of the covenant originates in God's promises to Abraham, which included making his descendants a great nation (Genesis 12:2)
• Entering the covenant confers both privileges (God's protection, the gift of the Torah) and responsibilities (following Jewish law, being a "light unto the nations")
• The covenant is seen as eternal and binding for all generations of Jews, with each new child representing a renewal of this ancient pact

The Brit Milah Ritual

Origins and Meaning

• Brit Milah is the Jewish ceremony of circumcising a male child on the eighth day after birth, as commanded in the Torah (Genesis 17:10-14)
• The ritual dates back to the time of Abraham, who circumcised himself at age 99 and his son Ishmael at 13 as a sign of the covenant (Genesis 17:23-27)
  • It is considered the oldest continuously practiced ritual in Judaism
• Circumcision is seen as a physical representation of the covenant between God and the Jewish people
  • It is a permanent sign of Jewish identity and belonging
• The removal of the foreskin is symbolic of removing barriers between the individual and God
  • It represents the dedication of the child to Jewish life and values

Timing and Significance

• The Brit Milah is performed on the eighth day after birth, even if that day falls on Shabbat or a holiday
  • If the baby is born in the late afternoon or evening, the Brit is held on the ninth day
• Delaying the circumcision until the eighth day is significant, as the number eight represents going beyond the natural order (seven days of creation) and entering into the covenant with God
• The Torah states that an uncircumcised male will be "cut off from his people" (Genesis 17:14), underscoring the importance of the ritual
• If a child is unable to be circumcised on the eighth day due to health concerns (prematurity, jaundice, illness), the Brit is delayed until doctors confirm it is safe

The Mohel and the Brit Milah Ceremony

The Role of the Mohel

• A mohel is a Jewish person, traditionally a pious man, who is trained in the medical and ritual aspects of performing a Brit Milah
  • Today, many mohels are doctors or rabbis who have undergone additional training
• The mohel's role is to perform the circumcision and recite the appropriate blessings
  • They are responsible for the safety and care of the child during the procedure
• The mohel also checks the child for any pre-existing conditions that would preclude circumcision and advises the family on post-operative care

The Brit Milah Ceremony

• The Brit Milah ceremony typically takes place in the morning at the family's home, the synagogue, or another location
  • Family, friends, and community members gather to welcome the child
• The child is brought in by honored relatives or friends called a kvater (male) and kvatterin (female)
• After initial blessings, the child is placed on a special chair designated as the Chair of Elijah
  • Elijah is said to be present at every Brit Milah, connecting the ritual to Jewish tradition and history
• The father publicly declares his intention to bring the child into the covenant
  • If the father is unable, another male relative or the mohel can say this blessing
• The mohel performs the circumcision and a blessing is recited over a cup of wine, from which the infant receives a drop
• The child is given his Hebrew name, which is often kept secret until the ceremony
  • Ashkenazi Jews name after deceased relatives, while Sephardi Jews name after living relatives
• Prayers are recited for the child's protection and wellbeing, and the ceremony concludes with festive songs
• After the ceremony, a seudat mitzvah (celebratory meal) is held to celebrate the child's entry into the Jewish covenant

Contemporary Issues Surrounding Brit Milah

Debates Around Circumcision

• There are ongoing debates in some Jewish communities about the necessity and morality of circumcision
  • A small but growing number are choosing not to circumcise their sons
• Some argue that circumcision is a medically unnecessary procedure that causes pain and permanently alters the child's body without their consent
  • This raises ethical questions about the rights of the child
• Conversely, proponents argue that the medical benefits of circumcision (reduced risk of UTIs, STDs, penile cancer) outweigh the minimal risks
  • They assert that it is the parents' right to make this decision for their child
• There are also debates around the traditional methods used by some mohels, such as metzitzah b'peh (oral suction of the wound)
  • This practice carries a risk of herpes transmission to the infant
  • Many Orthodox authorities have advocated using a sterile glass tube instead

Welcoming Ceremonies for Girls

• Some Jewish feminists have created ceremonies for welcoming baby girls, such as the Simchat Bat or Brit Bat
  • These aim to create a parallel ritual to the Brit Milah and celebrate the birth of daughters
• These ceremonies are not considered a mitzvah (commandment) like the Brit Milah
  • They remain much less universally observed than circumcision
• Common elements include naming the baby, blessings from the parents, and celebrating with family and friends
  • Some families wrap the baby in a prayer shawl (tallit) or pass her hand over a Torah scroll
• Despite these contemporary adaptations and debates, the vast majority of Jewish families worldwide continue to practice Brit Milah
  • It remains a fundamental marker of Jewish identity and communal belonging