Brit milah facts for kids
| Part of a series on | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|||
| Judaism | |||
| Category | |||
| Jewish religious movements | |||
| Orthodox (Haredi • Hasidic • Modern) | |||
| Conservative • Reform | |||
| Reconstructionist • Renewal • Humanistic | |||
| Jewish philosophy | |||
| Principles of faith • Kabbalah • Messiah • Ethics | |||
| Chosenness • Names of God • Musar | |||
| Religious texts | |||
| Tanakh (Torah • Nevi'im • Ketuvim) | |||
| Ḥumash • Siddur • Piyutim • Zohar | |||
| Rabbinic literature (Talmud • Midrash • Tosefta) | |||
| Religious Law | |||
| Mishneh Torah • Tur | |||
| Shulchan Aruch • Mishnah Berurah | |||
| Kashrut • Tzniut • Tzedakah • Niddah • Noahide laws | |||
| Holy cities | |||
| Jerusalem • Safed • Hebron • Tiberias | |||
| Important figures | |||
| Abraham • Isaac • Jacob | |||
| Moses • Aaron • David • Solomon | |||
| Sarah • Rebecca • Rachel • Leah | |||
| Rabbinic sages | |||
| Jewish life cycle | |||
| Brit • Pidyon haben • Bar/Bat Mitzvah | |||
| Marriage • Bereavement | |||
| Religious roles | |||
| Rabbi • Rebbe • Posek • Hazzan/Cantor | |||
| Dayan • Rosh yeshiva • Mohel • Kohen/Priest | |||
| Religious buildings & institutions | |||
| Synagogue • Beth midrash • Mikveh | |||
| Sukkah • Chevra kadisha | |||
| Holy Temple / Tabernacle | |||
| Jewish education | |||
| Yeshiva • Kollel • Cheder | |||
| Religious articles | |||
| Sefer Torah • Tallit • Tefillin • Tzitzit • Kippah | |||
| Mezuzah • Hanukiah/Menorah • Shofar | |||
| 4 Species • Kittel • Gartel | |||
| Jewish prayers and services | |||
| Shema • Amidah • Aleinu • Kaddish • Minyan | |||
| Birkat Hamazon • Shehecheyanu • Hallel | |||
| Havdalah • Tachanun • Kol Nidre • Selichot | |||
| Judaism & other religions | |||
| Christianity • Islam • Judeo-Christian | |||
| Abrahamic faiths | |||
| Related topics | |||
| Antisemitism • The Holocaust • Israel • Zionism | |||
Brit milah is a special Jewish ceremony. It involves the ritual circumcision of male babies when they are eight days old. This tradition is very important in Jewish life.
According to the Book of Genesis in the Bible, God told Abraham, an important figure in Jewish history, to be circumcised. God also said that all his male descendants should be circumcised on the eighth day of their lives. This act shows the special promise, or covenant, between God and the Jewish people.
Contents
Who Performs Brit Milah?
Today, a Brit milah is usually performed by a mohel. A mohel is a person specially trained to do the circumcision in a religious and safe way. The ceremony happens on the eighth day after the baby is born.
The Celebration
After the Brit milah ceremony, there is often a happy meal called a seudat mitzvah. This meal is a way for family and friends to celebrate the new baby and this important tradition.
Why is Brit Milah Important?
For Jewish people, Brit milah is a very important commandment from God. It shows a deep connection to Jewish history and faith. It reminds them of the special covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants.
Jews believe that following this tradition is a way to keep their connection to God and their heritage strong.
Images for kids
-
An illustration from 1824 showing a Brit milah ceremony.
-
The Chair of Elijah used during the brit milah ceremony.
-
A Seudat Mitzvah (celebratory meal) after a brit in 1824.
-
An infant after a brit milah ceremony.
-
A set of tools used for a brit milah ceremony.
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Brit Milá para niños
