Brit Milah

The circumcision is performed by a mohel, professionally trained in both the surgical procedure and the liturgy. During the procedure the child is held by the sandak, an honorary role often given to a grandfather.

The father recites the blessing "…to bring him into the covenant of Abraham our father", and those present respond with the wish that the child grow up "to Torah, to the wedding canopy and to good deeds". Then the blessing over wine is said and the child is named.^8,9

A special chair is prepared for the prophet Elijah, traditionally "the angel of the covenant". The ceremony is followed by a festive meal (seudat mitzvah).

Brit milah remains very widespread across Orthodox, Conservative and Reform families; the Reform and Conservative movements have also trained male and female physicians as mohalim.

The way the wound is treated (metzitzah) varies between communities; for hygienic reasons most mohalim use sterile instruments. The topic is sensitive and requires expert assessment.

In some European countries there are public debates about regulating circumcision; Jewish communities defend it as a fundamental religious practice. A minority of liberal Jews choose alternative ceremonies without circumcision.