briss

Briss, bris, or brit milah is a Jewish religious ceremony in which a male infant is circumcised as a sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. The term bris comes from Yiddish, while brit milah is the Hebrew name meaning “covenant of circumcision.”

Historically and theologically, the commandment to circumcise is linked to God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17. The ritual marks entry into the covenant and is traditionally observed for healthy newborns on the eighth day after birth, provided there are no health concerns that require postponement.

Practice and procedure: The ceremony is usually conducted by a mohel, a person trained in both the medical and religious aspects of circumcision. A sandek, often the child’s father or grandfather, holds the infant during the act. The rite typically includes a blessing (such as the blessing al ha-milah) and the naming of the child, with a festive meal or gathering to follow. In many communities, the baby’s Hebrew name is announced during or after the ceremony.

Health and contemporary practice: There are ongoing discussions about safety and ritual practice. One controversial element in some communities is metzitzah b’peh, in which the wound is cleansed with oral suction; various authorities and jurisdictions regulate or restrict this practice, and many mohels use alternative methods or devices. Practices vary among Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and other Jewish movements, but the bris remains a central ritual for many traditional Jewish families.