Why a Bris?

By celebrating your son’s bris, you are continuing one of the oldest and most significant traditions in our Jewish faith. “Bris milah,” meaning “covenant of circumcision,” began nearly 4,000 years ago when G-d instructed Avraham, the first Jew, to circumcise himself as a sign of the covenant between G-d and the Children of Israel. Avraham performed his circumcision at 99 years old. This commandment was made everlasting by G-d, requiring every Jewish father to ensure his male child, born of a Jewish mother, is circumcised at 8 days old. If the father is unable to perform the procedure himself, he can appoint a certified mohel as his agent.

Avraham and Sarah’s son, Yitzchak (Isaac), was the first Jew circumcised at 8 days old. Despite being the first in history to be circumcised so young, Avraham carried out Yitzchak’s bris with great joy. Since then, we associate the bris with happiness and celebration. The Torah tells us that Avraham and Sarah hosted a festive party to commemorate Yitzchak’s bris, just as we do today.

A bris is far more than a medical procedure; it is the physical manifestation of our spiritual bond with G-d and our commitment to His commandments. It is the first mitzvah a newborn baby boy undergoes and is considered as important as all the other 612 commandments combined. It symbolizes our love for G-d and our dedication to our faith as the Children of Israel. By removing the foreskin (orlah), bris milah represents the perfection of our physical bodies and our closeness with G-d, reflecting our partnership with Him in striving for self-improvement and a better world.

In essence, a bris is a wonderful, warm, and meaningful experience that brings your son closer to G-d and our Jewish heritage. It is my honor to assist you in fulfilling this special and important mitzvah.