Bris

Bris, also brit milah, is the Jewish religious rite of circumcision for male infants. The term bris comes from the Hebrew word for covenant, and brit milah means the covenant of circumcision. The ritual commemorates the covenant God established with Abraham and his descendants, as described in Genesis. It is traditionally performed on the eighth day after birth, provided the child is healthy; if medical concerns arise, the ceremony may be postponed.

The procedure is typically carried out by a mohel, a person trained in the religious and surgical aspects of circumcision. The ceremony often includes the naming of the child in Hebrew and is accompanied by blessings said by the father or another officiant. A celebratory meal, known as a seudat mitzvah, is common afterward and marks the communal dimension of the rite.

Practice and variation: While the core elements are shared, ritual details, venue, and customs vary among Jewish communities and denominations. Orthodox communities tend to observe the eight-day timing strictly, while some Conservative and Reform communities may introduce flexibility or alternative naming ceremonies. A topic of contemporary discussion in some contexts is metzitzah b’peh, a traditional method associated with transmission of health risks in rare cases; in many places, restrictions or alternatives are used to address safety concerns.

Bris remains one of the most widely observed Jewish rites, serving as a public and familial affirmation of identity, continuity, and covenant.