Preparing for The Brit Milah

It's a boy! God has gifted you with a beautiful, healthy, Jewish child! There's a lot going on in the house when your welcoming a new addition, but don't forget, you only have eight days to plan the Brit Milah. 

It is important to get in contact with a Mohel as soon as possible. An experienced Mohel usually has a busy schedule. Of course, do your research to find the right Mohel. Look for someone who is well-trained Halachically and medically, experienced, and sensitive to needs of the child and his parents. Ask friends and relatives about their past experiences to learn what to look out for in your search for a proper Mohel.

When calling the Mohel, be prepared to answer some basic questions, like date and time of birth, weight and bilirubin number. The Mohel will let you know when is the best time to do the Brit and will let you know if he is available. If he isn't, he'll help you find the right replacement. 

It is of utmost importance that the Brit be held on the eighth day of the baby’s life. However, in certain medical circumstances where there is even a remote possibility that the child is not strong enough to undergo the Brit, the Torah requires that the Brit be postponed until he regains his strength.

Also, when the child has a yellow appearance and has been diagnosed with jaundice, we must wait for the condition to clear before performing the Brit. Once it clears, the Brit should be held as early as possible. In the event of severe jaundice, we wait an additional seven days before performing the Brit.

In the case where there are twins (or more), and one is healthy and can undergo the Brit, while the other is not, we make each Brit separately and do not wait to do them both at the same time. One should always consult a competent Rabbi or Mohel to discuss any circumstances that may deem a postponement. 

If following a natural delivery (to exclude caesarean births) the Brit falls out on Shabbat, all preparations for the Brit must be done prior to the onset of Shabbat (which begins with sunset on Friday). One should consult a competent Rabbi for the proper procedures. 

The Brit Milah is usually performed following the Morning Prayer service. If this is not possible, it can be done any time during the day. However, a Brit can never be done at night, which according to the Jewish calendar, begins at sunset.

If having the Brit in the afternoon will result in a larger attendance, it is preferable to wait and have it done in the afternoon, as this adds in the joy of the Mitzvah.

Once the date is confirmed with the Mohel, your next step is to book the venue. It is customary for the Brit to be performed in a synagogue. However, if this is not possible, it can be performed at home, in a hall, or any other befitting location. 

Don't forget to order tasty, Kosher food and L'chaim for the festive meal that will follow the Brit ceremony.

Here's a list of things you'll have to take along with you to the Brit. Print this useful checklist a few days before the Bris and feel confident knowing that you’re well-prepared! 

• A “Tallit” (prayer shawl)
• Bottle of Kosher wine, (preferably low-alcohol and sweet) 
• Kiddush cup
• Candles
• Pillow
• Pillowcase (usually white)
• Swaddle Blanket for child
• Diapers (at least 10)
• Pack of wipes
• Hand-sanitizer
• Antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin or Neosporin, etc.)
• 50 Sterile 3”x3” Gauze pads  
• Pacifier (recommended)
• Printed list of honorees
• A nice Jewish name!
• Feed the baby (up to one hour prior to the Brit)

Shabbat Shalom! It's your baby's first Shabbat! It is customary to make a party or get-together for friends and family on the first Friday night (Shabbat) after a baby boy is born. This is called a “Shalom Zachar,” loosely translated as “a time for wishing peace to the male child.”

The Shalom Zachar is usually held in the home of the newborn following the Shabbat meal. Refreshments are served and words of Torah are shared. This gathering is used an opportunity to publicly thank God for the baby’s successful entrance to the world. The gathering also celebrates the newborn’s first Shabbat, since the baby must experience the sanctity of Shabbat before he can be circumcised.

In addition, the Midrash relates that a child is taught the entire Torah in his mother's womb, and then forgets it at birth in order that he toil to learn it again. The Shalom Zachar is meant as a consolation of sorts for having forgotten the Torah. For this reason many people serve beans or chickpeas at the Shalom Zachar, since these are foods served at the house of a mourner.

As the gathering takes place on Shabbat, it is important that all food and drinks should be prepared prior to the onset of Shabbat.

The night before the Brit is called “Leil Shimurim” — the night of protection (Vach-Nacht in Yiddish). Jewish mystical teachings explain that because the Mitzvah of Brit Milah is so great and spiritually powerful, negative spiritual forces are at work to hinder the performance of this Mitzvah. Therefore, one must take positive action during the night before the Brit to serve as a spiritual protection.

During this night, the parents devote themselves to Torah study, ideally near the child. 

There is also a custom of inviting children to come to the home of the newborn to recite prayers, say Psalms, and make blessings over food. This is because children’s voices are pure and their souls are unblemished. Their prayers pierce the heavens, forming a spiritual protection and draw down blessings upon the newborn and the entire household.

It is appropriate to keep some light on in the child’s room throughout the night.

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