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The Ceremony
The bris is an exciting time for the baby's whole family. It is also an opportunity to involve baby's loved ones in the ceremony.
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The festivities begin with a communal welcome of the new baby, we declare "baruch haba", which literally means "blessed is the one who comes".
We recite this ceremonial greeting twice in a Jewish person's life; as a baby enters the room of the bris or baby naming and as a couple enter the wedding canopy.
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Below you will discover the flow of the bris ceremony as well the various roles with which to honor and include your loved ones in the ceremony.
Kvater
The baby is escorted
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After entering the room, the baby is escorted by loved ones--grandparents, friends, aunts and uncles from the entry-point of the space to the front of the space where the bris will take place. The first honor who passes the baby is called "Kvater" and this can be any number of people (usually 2) of any gender.
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Min HaKiseh
The baby is removed from Elijah's chair
This special honor is given to someone who will take the baby from Elijah's chair and deliver him to the lap of the sandek, where the actual circumcision will occur.
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The Seated Sandek
The baby is held in place for the circumcision
In the old country, this special honor was said to be a good an omen for wealth. It was often given to whomever paid for the festive meal to follow. In our time, regardless of who is paying, it is often given to a grandfather. He will hold the baby in place for the circumcision.
The Blessings and Circumcision
Two blessing are recited
Traditionally, it is the responsibility of the closest Jewish male relative to perform the circumcision. In the absence of expertise, this person will appoint the mohel with the job of performing the bris. The Mohel will make the first blessing, "Blessed are You are God, Ruler of the Universe.. Who commanded us to perform the bris."
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After the bris is completed, the relative will recite the blessing "Blessed are You are God, Ruler of the Universe.. Who commanded us to to bring this child into the covenant of Abraham our patriarch."
"The Standing Sandek"
& Sanctifying the Wine
The baby is passed to the "Standing Sandek" who will hold the baby throughout the second part of the ceremony. A blessing is recited over a cup of wine or grape juice.
As in all Jewish times of joy, we mark the occasion by sanctifying "the fruit of the vine". A drop of that wine, or grape juice is given to the baby.
The Baby Naming
For the first time, the baby's Hebrew name is revealed to the public.
The Mohel recites the liturgical text which touches on themes of lifecycles and celebration. He then publicly declares the name of the child "he shall be called X amongst the Jewish people."
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Immediately after the naming, many families choose to share a few words about why they chose their son’s name—whether it’s in memory of a loved one, inspired by a meaningful concept, or simply a name they love—and offer personal hopes and blessings for his future.
