Performing Brit Milah

in Tampa Bay

Since 1992

Now celebrating with the Distinguished Cantor William Hauben

THE RITUAL OF BRIT MILAH
 DPK
When a boy is born, a circumcision rite called a brit ("covenant," short for brit milah, "covenant of circumcision") can be expected eight days later.

This ceremony, of great antiquity, confirms the transition of the infant from being a child of Adam to a member of the Jewish people. Thus the boy enters the "covenant of Abraham."

The minor operation is delegated by the father to a ritually trained surgeon, called mohel. The mohel receives the child after he has been passed among the relatives, beginning with the mother (in a separate room; she is customarily secluded at this time).

Just before the boy is given to the sandek, most honored person, to hold while the operation is performed according to the ancient procedure. The mohel temporarily places the child on a "chair of Elijah" --symbolic of the hopes of redemption.

After the actual circumcision, the child is handed to the father (or an honored guest) while the mohel recites blessings in praise of God and for the welfare of the child. It is then that the boy's name is announced.

The name (e.g., David son of Abraham) will be how the boy will be "called up" when he is honored to bless the Torah in later years; and this name will be marked upon his tombstone at death.

Already from antiquity some Jews have had double names, a Hebrew name and a related secular name (e.g., in Hellenistic times one might be Jonathan or Matthew and Theodore, names all meaning "gift of God") or names that could function in both the ritual and secular communities.

Among Ashkenazi Jews, it is customary to name the boy after a deceased relative;

Sephardis, however do not adhere to this practice.

A joyous moment in the circumcision ceremony is when the entire assembly exclaims: "Just as he has entered the covenant, so may he enter the study of Torah, the wedding canopy, and good deeds."

Thus a life cycle is outlined and confirmed by all Jewish adults through their own lives.

David P. Kalin, MD, MPH

Certified by the Jewish Theological
Seminary of America and The
Rabbinical Assembly

Qualified for Recognition by
Congregational Rabbis and
Rabbinical Assembly Regions

Tel 813.966.1431
Fax 813.925.1932
 drkalin @drkalin.com

drkalin.com

This internet site is dedicated to:

Rabbi Brod, of blessed memory, who taught me to see the ritual of Brit Milah as first and foremost the sacred covenant of the circumcision and the individual's relationship withG-d. The various traditions or lack thereof are only secondary.

And to my mother, who has always emphatically emphasized Shalom HaBait, Peace in the Home.

David P. Kalin, MD, MPH

and

Cantor William Hauben

are available for your son's Brit Milah

Call

813.966.1431

Email drkalin@drkalin.com
My Dear Jewish Family,

Then God said to Abraham: "And you shall keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generation.

This is my covenant. . . Every male of you family shall be circumcised.

You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be for a sign of the covenant between me and you. . .

It shall be my covenant in your flesh, as an ever-lasting covenant.

Any male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant. (Genesis 17)

On the eighth day of Isaac's life, Abraham obeyed the Lord and circumcised his son, Isaac.

Ever since that moment, circumcision has been an important and essential part of Jewish men's lives.

 

LIGHT, COURAGE AND HOPE

"At 87 years of age, I have consolidated what I see as my legacy from having been a living witness when I first began the quest to find solace from the pain and suffering of the Holocaust; this has resulted in my finding goodness and restitution for nations and individuals. "

Cantor William Hauben believes he survived the Holocaust for a reason, and has spent his whole adult life seeking out this purpose.

He has arrived at the realization that, even with the many heroes of the Holocaust, there were still many more good people who could have - and should have - stood up to counteract the brutal acts against their fellow human beings. Perhaps they did not realize the urgency of the situation. This, however, only makes the behavior of those who did act even more honorable, and the need for education about such instances even more imperative.

The Cantor though now retired is actively pursuing his legacy, having written From the Flames: Miracles and Wonders of Survival, more recently Light, Courage, and Hope, and now working on a third manuscript about the last Pope.

Cantor Hauben brings a unique sense of Jewish authenticity and brilliant musicality to the ceremony of BRIT MILAH.

Thank you, Cantor.

WHAT DO I NEED AND WHAT DO I DO?

Vaseline, Polysporin and/or Vitamin A and D ointment.

Kosher grape wine for Kiddush.

A kiddush cup.

A washcloth and diaper.

A table (brought to the level of the chest), two chairs, and a good light source in the room where the ceremony will take place.

Yarmulkas for the men.

The mohel, the father (if he is Jewish) and the Sandok traditionally wear a tallit.

A challah bread for the motzi prayer; two if the Brit will occur on Shabbat, and of course matzah (not egg) if the Brit is during the Passover festival.

What should my baby wear.

The baby should be wrapped in a receiving blanket and wear a typical baby gown.

Avoid feeding the baby for at least 1/2 hour prior to the ceremony.

Who needs to be there?

Attempt to have a minyon of at least 10 Jewish males, if possible, including the Mohel and the Sandok, who is the most honored person, (a representative of Abraham and someone you wish the child to emulate with regard to Jewish values); he holds and assists with the baby during the ceremony.

A godfather and godmother are also usually selected, and the Hebrew names of all the honorees should be known.

What do I do at the ceremony?

A brief introduction with explanation of Brit Milah shall take place before the ceremony.

After the baby is checked, duties and positions assigned and upon hearing the chanting of Baruch Ha Ba, the mother carries the baby into the room and passes the baby to the designated honorees and eventually to the Sandok, who sits in the chair of Elijah, the prophet.

The Father, who in actuality has the responsibility to perform the ritual (though usually uses the mohel as his agent), recites the following declaration in Hebrew and English:

"Hin'ni muchan umzooman, l'kayam mitzvat asay sh'tzivanu haboray yitborach lamul et b'ni, ka-katuv baTorah, 'uben shmo-nat yamim yimol kol zachar l'do-ro-tay-chem.'"

"I am here ready to perform the positive precept to circumcise my son, even as the Creator, blessed be He, has commanded us as it is written in the Torah, 'And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations.'"

"Baruch ata adonai eloheynu melech ha-olam asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al ha-milah."

"Blessed art Thou O Lord our God Master of the universe, who has hallowed us by thy commandments, and has commanded us on the circumcision."

Afterwards, the father says:

"Baruch ata adonai eloheynu melech ha-olam asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hach-ni-so biv-ri-to shel Avraham avinu."

"Blessed art Thou O Lord our God Master of the universe, who has allowed us by thy commandments, and has commanded us to make our sons into the Covenant of Abraham, our father."

Kiddush is then recited, and the baby is named. (A rabbi may be present to perform the naming.)

Customarily a festive kosher meal is served following the blessing over the bread.

What about my baby's name?

Ashkenazic Jews customarily give a Hebrew name of a relative no longer living.

Sephardic Jews frequently name a baby after a living relative.

What happens after the circumcision?

The circumcision usually heals within 2-3 days, and care is quite simple.

Clean after changing diapers with warm soapy water and/or hydrogen peroxide, apply either polysporin or vaseline and either tissue or gauze. Use A and D ointment thereafter.

 

 


 

                                                                             

 

Cantor William Hauben

A remarkable man and a remarkable 1st Book, From the Flames: The Miracles and Wonders of Survival to the second part of the story, LIGHT, COURAGE AND HOPE, Cantor William Hauben has taken his life struggle to the next level.

He was determined that there was LIGHT not just darkness; COURAGE not just horror; HOPE not just despair.

faithforhumanity.com

FAITH (Foundation Acknowledging Individuals Treating Humanity,Inc.)

 

Light, Courage and Hope

is now available for purchase.

Also available is the video of the reception at the Israel Embassy in Washington DC. January 21, 2010, as a tribute to the 10 countries featured in the book.

Questions call anytime
727-492-5444