A bris ceremony is the joyous beginning for a newborn boy of Jewish faith. There is much meaning involved in all aspects of this early milestone. In addition to rite of passage for the baby, honors are received by relatives and close family friends as well.
When a male Jewish child is eight days old, he undergoes a ritual circumcision in the bris ceremony. It can be held in a hall, the synagogue or in a home. The procedure is performed by a trained person known as a mohel. The event continues with a celebratory meal.
This rite of passage is biblically commanded. God commanded Abraham and all of his descendants to be circumcised. The Bible also requires that it be done on the eighth day of life. There is a penalty described for those who do not observe the practice. This penalty is called kareth, which is spiritual removal from the Jewish nation).
The reasons for this ritual date back as far as the Jewish philosopher, Philo. He wrote of several reasons such as the claim that circumcision will promote cleanliness and protect the man from disease. He also describes how the penis is made to resemble a heart. Reasons proposed by others include the fact that it serves as a mark of the chosen people and that it offers man a chance to finish himself physically. He can thus also complete his own soul.
On the day of the bris cermony, the parents enter the room with their baby boy. They place their son on the designated Chair of Elijah. The Sandek, literally translated as "companion of the child, " holds the baby during the procedure. The Sandek is often the grandfather of the baby. A blessing is then recited and the circumcision is performed.
Another blessing is offered after the procedure over a glass of wine. A Hebrew name is then given to the child. This is an important part of the event as he will have this name for the rest of his life. The name of a relative who has passed on is often given to the child as a symbol of life going on.
The meal that follows is called the Se'udat Mitzvah. This is a festive meal that follows many Jewish happy occasions. There are no specific foods that are mandated for this particular occasion. Traditions have emerged, however, regarding foods that are served. Many of them carry important meaning related to the day. Nuts and chickpeas are often served as they symbolize the birth and life cycle.
Kosher food should be on the menu for those who observe the practice. Kosher food follows the dietary laws of Judaism. Often those who observe kosher laws will not partake in the meal if it is not kosher.
The bris ceremony is a wonderful and joyous event. It is the welcoming of a child into Judaism. It is a time of great joy for families as they build their families and their faith. It is often misunderstood by those of other religions. To Jewish people, it is an act of obedience and celebration.
When a male Jewish child is eight days old, he undergoes a ritual circumcision in the bris ceremony. It can be held in a hall, the synagogue or in a home. The procedure is performed by a trained person known as a mohel. The event continues with a celebratory meal.
This rite of passage is biblically commanded. God commanded Abraham and all of his descendants to be circumcised. The Bible also requires that it be done on the eighth day of life. There is a penalty described for those who do not observe the practice. This penalty is called kareth, which is spiritual removal from the Jewish nation).
The reasons for this ritual date back as far as the Jewish philosopher, Philo. He wrote of several reasons such as the claim that circumcision will promote cleanliness and protect the man from disease. He also describes how the penis is made to resemble a heart. Reasons proposed by others include the fact that it serves as a mark of the chosen people and that it offers man a chance to finish himself physically. He can thus also complete his own soul.
On the day of the bris cermony, the parents enter the room with their baby boy. They place their son on the designated Chair of Elijah. The Sandek, literally translated as "companion of the child, " holds the baby during the procedure. The Sandek is often the grandfather of the baby. A blessing is then recited and the circumcision is performed.
Another blessing is offered after the procedure over a glass of wine. A Hebrew name is then given to the child. This is an important part of the event as he will have this name for the rest of his life. The name of a relative who has passed on is often given to the child as a symbol of life going on.
The meal that follows is called the Se'udat Mitzvah. This is a festive meal that follows many Jewish happy occasions. There are no specific foods that are mandated for this particular occasion. Traditions have emerged, however, regarding foods that are served. Many of them carry important meaning related to the day. Nuts and chickpeas are often served as they symbolize the birth and life cycle.
Kosher food should be on the menu for those who observe the practice. Kosher food follows the dietary laws of Judaism. Often those who observe kosher laws will not partake in the meal if it is not kosher.
The bris ceremony is a wonderful and joyous event. It is the welcoming of a child into Judaism. It is a time of great joy for families as they build their families and their faith. It is often misunderstood by those of other religions. To Jewish people, it is an act of obedience and celebration.
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