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The Covenant of Circumcision / Brit Milah

"This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant." (Gen 17:10-13) Circumcision or Brith as it is known in Hebrew consists of the removal of part or all of the foreskin which covers the glands of the penis. The Jewish tradition of circumcision stems from the Torah which states "every male among you shall be circumcised" (Genesis 17:11-12). A Jewish baby boy is circumcised when he is eight days old by a Mohel.

A Mohel has been specifically trained to perform the circumcision, and also receives rabbinic recognition. After the procedure is completed the Mohel will say a benediction over the wine and a second benediction praising God. At this time the Mohel also says a prayer for the child's welfare and announces the child's Hebrew name.

It is customary for the birth to be an occasion for the baby to be welcomed into his family and extended family. Today Jewish babies are not the only ones who are circumcised. Many doctors remove the foreskin at birth for hygienic reasons.

Every Jewish baby boy is circumcised during the day on the eighth day of his life (even if this day falls on the Shabbat or Yom Kippur) in a ritual known in Hebrew as the brit milah, "the Covenant of Circumcision". The circumcision is performed by a mohel, a man trained to carry out the small operation. According to Jewish belief, only circumcisions performed by a mohel can reflect the significance of the eternal covenant between God and Israel.

During the circumcision the father recites this prayer: "Blessed art Thou, lord our God, King of the universe, who has sancified us with His commandments and commanded us to bring [the child] into the Covenant of our father Abraham."

In Hebrew it sounds like this: Baruch ata adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hakhniso bivrito shel Avaraham avinu.

The boy is given his name during the circumcision. (Baby girls are named in synagogue services a week after their birth.)

Circumcision rituals are celebrated with parties and festive meals.

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Brit Milah

by Linda Smith, Austin, TX.

Who knows One? Who knowsTwo?...

Many of us know the Pesech song and answer “Eight are the days of the Brit Milah”.  

The women’s undulating cry unexpectedly interrupted Shabbat nap this week.  What on earth?  This unique sound to middle-eastern tongues announces alarm, distress, and certainly joy.    Like the difficult “rolling  R” in Romantic language, the sound is an impossible tongue twister for most Texans.  Immediately, Jerri and I went to our deck and discovered a celebration in progress across from us.   We are on the second floor and one floor down, a large gathering was beyond the courtyard.    There was obvious prayer; even without knowing Hebrew, “Adonai” and “Elohim” are familiar names.    We decided a responsive reading was occurring, with a main leader and the congregation following up – perhaps, Psalms.  Sitting on the balcony, we were privileged to have front row seats less than 20 feet away from the open window.    As we watched, it became apparent that someone standing in front of the window was unwrapping a package.  Finally!!  We understood, just like “removing the scales”, what we saw.  In a young father’s lap, a tiny white blanket was gently unwrapped.   Behind the father, a young, orthodox mother stood, head properly covered and her arm resting on her husband’s shoulder.  (We couldn’t see their expressions, but imagined the pleasure, the fear and moment’s expectation.)  Immediately, the little one wailed loudly, but only for a moment.    The rabbi worked deftly, swiftly, and rewrapped the babe.   At that moment he held him up to the community.    A new child of the covenant was named, another child of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

What an unexpected opportunity to witness this time-honored celebration in the City on a Hill (Jerusalem).

Gen. 17:10:   This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep:  Every male among you shall be circumcised.  You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between you and me.  For the generations to come, every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised ….

Luke 2:21:  And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.