Brit Milah (the Covenant of Circumcision)
The ceremony of circumcision, by which a boy enters the Covenant of Israel on his eighth day of life, goes back to Abraham, who was commanded by God to circumcise himself, his son Ishmael, and all the males in his household, as a sign of the covenant (Genesis, chapter 17). Since then, Jews have circumcised their sons, often risking grave danger, to welcome them into the Covenant.
Circumcision has played an important role in Jewish identity and culture for more than three millennia, and continues to do so today. Circumcision is performed on the eighth day unless health considerations advise against it (in which case it is postponed until a physician gives permission) and may even be performed on Shabbat or Yom Kippur, indicating its importance in Jewish tradition.
While parents are commanded to circumcise their sons, few are qualified to perform this surgical procedure and appoint a mohel as their agent. It is traditional to schedule the brit milah as early in the day as possible, signifying one's eagerness to observe the mitzvah. The baby is brought into the room by the sandek (godparent) who sits and holds the child in a chair that has been designated as Elijah's Chair. Following the circumcision, the child's Hebrew name is announced. The connection between circumcision and naming also derives from the seventeenth chapter of Genesis, because after God forges the covenant of circumcision with Avram, God changes Avram's name to Avraham.
Rabbi Judah Kogen is available to answer any questions you may have regarding this most important of Jewish life cycle events. If you wish to follow the Brit Milah with a Kiddush or festive meal, you can avail yourselves of our in house caterer, Exclusive Catering by Kaplan.