What is a Bris/Jewish Circumcision?
Brit (or bris) milah is ritual Jewish circumcision. It is traditionally performed on the 8th day of the baby's birthday during daylight. The commandment for fathers to circumcise their sons comes from the biblical version Leviticus 12:3: “On the eighth day, [the child's] foreskin shall be circumcised.” In Genesis, Abraham circumcised himself as an adult by Divine imperative, and subsequently circumcised his son Isaac on the eighth day. Traditionally, when a father is unable or unwilling to perform the circumcision himself, the parents appoint a mohel to perform the circumcision as their proxy. Medical or ritual circumstances are grounds to postpone a brit. The most common ritual reason for postponement is the religious rule proscribing Sabbath and religious holiday circumcisions when the baby boy was born via caesarian section. Common medical reasons to postpone a brit are underweight preemies, jaundice, and when pediatricians recommend postponement for alternative reasons. Parents should inform me in advance about any penile abnormalities, such as chordee and hypospadias, which may be grounds to postpone a brit on a case by case basis. More information may be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bris
What do I do now?
Once the baby is born, please call me immediately at 212.316.4784. The only thing you need to do in advance is fill out the Bris Form.
What should be brought the day of the Bris?
Please bring the following ritual items to the bris:1) Kiddush Cup & sweet kosher wine
2) Some yarmulkes (kippot) i.e. head coverings for the men present
3) 3 prayer shawls (talis)
Please bring the following non-ritual items to the bris:
4) A large, thin pillow in a pillow cover
5) 1 elevated chair (2 1/2 feet from floor is sufficient)
6) Foot rest (approx. 6''-12'' high)
7) Some (non disposable) cotton diapers and/or pampers
8) Bacitracin or Neosporin or any general first aid antibiotic ointment
9) Gauze "packing strips"
10) Sterile gauze pads at least 4"x4"
10) Infant Tylenol
11) Purell or any generic antimicrobial hand sanitizer
12) Glucose (sugar) sweet water solution
Glucose water is warm water mixed with sugar until it is very sweet.