Birth Ceremonies

Birth ceremonies for boys and girls are different in the Jewish tradition. Both boys and girls have a "naming ceremony" but the boys also have a more formal rite called circumcision.

Girls : Traditionally the father of a Jewish baby girl would announce the name of his daughter in the synagogue about a month after she was born. The girl and her mother could be present although they often were not. Nowadays it is more common for the service to take place in the synagogue a few days rather than a month after the baby is born.

Boys : The ritual for boys is much more complicated and elaborate. After a boy child has been born a blessing is said and eight days later the child will be presented for the ceremony of circumcision. This may take place in the synagogue or in the home, or at the hospital. This is a very important ceremony and the only reason for delaying it is if the child is ill. The boy will be placed on the lap of the sandek (A bit like a Christian godparent). It is a great honour to be asked to perform this service. The circumcision is performed by the mohel , who may be a doctor but does not have to be. The circumcision of boys is a sign of the covenant that God agreed with Abraham.

After the ceremony the Father will recite the following blessing:

"Blessed are you Lord our God, King of the Universe, who sanctified us with his Mitzvah and commanded us to enter my son into the covenant of Abraham"

Those present will respond with the prayer:

"As he has been entered into the covenant may he come to study the Torah, enter into a marriage worthy of they blessing and live a life of good deeds"

After the ceremony a kiddush is said:

"Blessed are you Lord our God, king of the Universe who creates the fruit of the vine."

Wine is drunk and a few drops are given to the baby. The boy child is then named and every one goes to the Seudat Mitzvah which is Hebrew for the "feast of the fulfillment of a commandment" When a boy or girl are named they are given two names. a special or Holy name which will be in Hebrew and an ordinary or everyday name which would normally reflect the country that they lived in.

What does circumcision mean ?

A baby becomes a Jew because he has a Jewish mother and not because he is circumcised. There are two important things that circumcision means:

• The baby receives his father's blessing, and since the time of Abraham this has always been very important
• The baby become "religiously" clean and is welcomed into membership of God's chosen race.

The 'sign' in his flesh will constantly remind him of this.

"God said further to Abraham ........ every male among you shall be circumcised. And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be the sign of the covenant between me and you" Genesis 17:9-11

For more details read "Judaism" (Ayre Forta) - Brit Milah, circumcision, birth

Important words

• Circumcision - the removal of the foreskin of a baby boy as a physical sign of the covenant
• Sandek - a friend or family member given the privilege of preparing the boy for circumcision
• Mohel - the person who performs the circumcision
• Abraham - The father of the Jewish people
• Seudat Mitzvah - the ceremony, and party, after the circumcision