The Ceremony

The Venue

It is customary for the Brit to be performed in a synagogue. If this is not possible, it can be performed at home or in any other fitting location. It is preferable for the Brit to be performed in the presence of a Minyan (a quorum of ten Jewish male adults over the age of thirteen), for we are taught that when ten Jewish men are gathered the Divine Presence rests on the assemblage in an amplified manner.

It is also customary to have lit candles in the room where the Brit is performed. Some have the custom to kindle thirteen candles, connoting the thirteen Divine attributes of mercy. 

Elijah the Prophet

Beside family and friends, at every Brit, there is a special guest who comes to bear witness before God that Jews around the world are still holding onto the covenant.

This is Eliayhu Hanavi, Elijah the Prophet, the defense attorney of the Jewish people.

At the Brit, a special chair is designated for Elijah the Prophet. Some communities have the custom to place the chair of Elijah on the right of the Sandak's chair. However in most communities the Sandak sits on the chair of Elijah itself.

The Ceremony

The Baby is ushered into the location of the Brit by the Kvatter and Kvatterin (the Godparents), typically a married couple or a brother and sister. As the Kvatterin (Godmother) passes the baby to the Kvatter (Godfather) the "Baruch Habah" (Welcoming prayer) is said.

The Kvatter now hands the child over the to the individual who is honored with placing the child on the chair of Elijah. Once the child is placed on the chair, the Mohel recites a short prayer welcoming Elijah the Prophet and asking for his assistance in the performance of the Brit.

Now someone is honored with lifting the child from the chair of Elijah and passing him to the father. The Sandak is summoned to sit on the chair and the Mohel preps the Sandak and father for the Brit procedure. The father is honored with placing the child on the lap of the Sandak (if he is not the Sandak himself).

The father now stands near the Mohel. He must “transfer” his obligation to circumcise his son to the Mohel by appointing him to perform the Brit in his stead. Some have the custom to take the Brit Milah knife and give it to the Mohel as a symbolic act of transferring his obligation to the Mohel.

The Mohel then recites a blessing and proceeds with the Brit. 

Following the circumcision, the father recites a blessing thanking G-d for the opportunity to have his son entered into the covenant of our forefather Abraham. All present respond, "Amen!  Just as he has entered into the Covenant, so may he enter into Torah, into marriage, and into good deeds!" 

The Mohel completes the Brit procedure and applies medical ointments to promote healing. With an experienced Mohel the entire procedure should last less then 60 seconds with minimum discomfort of the child and his parents.

The child is now lifted from the Sandak's lap and given to the 'standing Sandak'. The individual honored with making the blessings takes the cup of wine in his right hand and recites the blessings.

Then, the individual honored with announcing the child's Jewish name recites the baby naming prayer. 

After the baby naming, the individual who recited the blessing on the wine drinks the wine. Meanwhile, the father and Mohel recite a short prayer requesting of G-d to send a holy and pure son to the now circumcised child. We mention the baby's new Jewish name with his father's Jewish name.

The Mohel then recites a short prayer requesting that the baby have a speedy recovery. We mention his new Jewish name with his mother's Jewish name.

If there is a Kohen present, it is customary to have him bless the child with the Priestly Blessing.

Mazal Tov! The Brit Milah ceremony is now complete! The Kvatter takes the baby from the Standing Sandak and delivers him to the Kvatter, who in turn, gives the child to his mother. 

The Festive Meal

Following the Brit Milah, a festive meal is served. It is customary that this meal includes bread and festive foods such as meat and wine. Candles are lit to create a joyful and dignified atmosphere. It is customary that the parents say words of thanks to The Almighty, publicly thanking God for gifting them with a healthy child and the ability to perform the Mitzvah of Brit Milah. It is also an appropriate time for them to expound on the meaning of the name chosen for their child. Amongst Chassidim it is customary that the father recites a Chassidic discourse on the subject of Brit Milah. It is also an appropriate time for the Sandak, who now has the spiritual gift to bless, to give blessings at the behest of those present.

During the Grace After Meals, special portions are added in honor of the occasion.

Sometime during or after the meal, the Mohel will check the baby, and give the parents the aftercare instructions.