Circumcision - the ceremony                

  Circumcision is one of the mitzvot (commandments) celebrated by the Jewish people. This is a religious ritual which commemorates a principal event in human life, welcoming the baby into the Jewish community, as well as renewing the covenant which was made by Abraham as well as making the child a part of God's covenanted people.

Circumcision involves the removal of the foreskin on the penis of a Jewish baby boy.

Today, circumcision usually takes place in a hospital, due to medical reasons, but it traditionally took place in the synagogue. The ceremony takes place on the eighth day after the child is born and is performed before ten men or more. Even if the day is the Sabbath, or any other special day, such as a feast day or a fast day, circumcision still takes place. The only reason in which circumcision can be postponed is if it is a threat to the child's health.

The ceremony begins when the godmother carries the child into the synagogue. This indicates the child's induction into the Jewish religious community. The people who have come to the ceremony then welcome the baby boy into the community by saying,

"Blessed be he that comes."  

The godmother then passes on the child to the godfather who then passes him on to the mohel. (ritual circumciser) The circumcision takes place and then the father says the blessing;

"Blessed are you, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to bring our sons into the covenant of Abraham out Father."

The people then say;

"Just as he entered the covenant, so may he enter into the study of the Torah, into marriage, and into good deeds."

After these words are said, the baby is then named and then a cup of wine is blessed by the mohel. A prayer for happiness is said, and then a bit of wine is drunk by the baby. The rest of the wine is finished by the father. A festival and a meal then follows.

This is the basic ceremony. Other Jewish communities have made changes to this ceremony. For example, reform Jews have created a ceremony which introduces female babies into the covenant people. (berit hahayyim or the covenant of life) Berit hahayyim does not involve any surgical removals. The ceremony begins by the community welcoming the baby girl by saying,

"Blessed is she who comes."

The mother says the blessing,

"Blessed is the Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, by Whose mitzvot we are hallowed, who commands us to sanctify life."

The father then lights a candle and says the next part of the blessing,

"Blessed is the Lord, Whose Presence gives light to all the world."

The mother and father then say the following words together;

"Blessed is the Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us and enabling us to reach this day of joy."

After this, there is a party and a meal to end the ceremony.