Creative Brit Milah

Cast of Characters

Officiant:
This refers to the rabbi or other person who will lead the ceremony. If the mohel is conducting the ceremony, “officiant” refers to the mohel.

Mohel (Mohelet):
The trained religious and medical professional who will perform the circumcision, if the circumcision is occurring at the ceremony.

Parent(s):
The happy celebrant or celebrants of the ceremony. Through this ritual, a parent fulfills the commandment to bring his or her son into the covenant of Abraham.

Baby:
The new arrival!

Grandparents:
Parent(s) of the celebrant(s). They may be assigned a ritual role such as k’vater, k’vaterin, sandak, or sandakit.

Sandak:
The person who holds the baby during the circumcision. This is the most honored task at a circumcision, and is usually given to a grandparent, relative, or close family friend. The role of sandak corresponds to the title of “godfather,” though it may or may not indicate a sustained spiritual role in the child’s life. (In Sephardic tradition a sandek provided for a child’s religious education.)

Sandakit:
A female sandak, or godmother. While traditionally women did not perform this honored task, there is no reason why women cannot fulfill this role, and nowadays many do.

Kvaterin:
According to Ashkenazi tradition, a woman who brings the child into the room during the ritual and hands him to the sandak. Sometimes performed together with a k’vater (traditionally, the k’vaterin took the baby from the mother and handed him to the k’vater, who handed him to the sandak). This honor is generally given to a relative or friend. The word means, literally, “godmother,” though the role is frequently ceremonial.

K’vater:
A man who brings the child into the room during the ritual and hands him to the sandak. Sometimes performed together with a k’vaterin. This honor is generally given to a relative or friend. Literally, “godfather.” (See k’vaterin.)

Setting

A special chair is placed in the center of the room and may be draped with a tallit or cloth of special significance to the parents. This is the chair of Elijah: Elijah the prophet is said to attend every brit milah as a sign that Israel is still keeping its covenant with God. The cloth from this chair may later be used to make a wimpel (binder) for a Torah scroll, or the baby may be wrapped in a special cloth that is later used for a wimpel. When the baby is brought into the room, he is placed briefly on this chair before being handed to the sandak or sandakit. There is a chair for the sandak or sandakit, and a table for the mohel‘s equipment and/or the circumcision itself if the baby is being circumcised at the ceremony. Chairs should be arranged for guests, though sometimes guests stand throughout the brief ceremony.

Act One: Welcome

Officiant:

 

בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא

Barukh ha-ba: Blessed is he who enters!

(The k’vater or k’vaterin carries the child into the room; participants in the gathering stand to welcome the baby as he enters.)

A blessing that parents may say to their son:

May you live to see a world that you create,
and may your future be a time we cannot yet imagine.
May your hope span the generations.
May your heart learn understanding.
May you speak words of wisdom and sing songs of joy.
May your vision be clear before you.
May your eyes shine with the light of Torah,
And your face glow with the radiance of heaven,
And may you run to discover the words of the Holy Ancient One.

    —Berakhot 17a

Placing the child on Elijah’s Chair:

Officiant or a participant may add:

This is the throne of Elijah the prophet, may he be remembered for good.

The child is placed on the chair.

Officiant:

Elijah witnesses every entry into the covenant to remind us that every child has the potential to be the messiah. Within every child is a spark that can repair the world. At this moment, you are not yet named. We do not know who you will become. We place you, our son, on the throne of Elijah, praying that you will engage in acts of redemption through words and deeds that are unique to you. We pray for your health and happiness throughout your life.

Parents may add special blessings they wish for their child, and/or may invite grandparents, other guests, etc., to offer blessings for the baby’s future.

At the close of this segment, you may wish to sing a song. One beautiful song to use is “On Children” by Khalil Gibran.

Act II: Circumcision

Traditionally the circumcision ceremony is performed during the public covenanting ritual, and this is still how most rituals proceed. However, some families may wish to have the circumcision done privately so as not to celebrate while their child is experiencing pain. Also, some families have had to delay a circumcision due to a medical issue, or have entirely foregone circumcision, but want to welcome and name their baby. If the circumcision is taking place at this time, this section should be included; if not, this section should be omitted.

The mohel frequently takes an opportunity to address the gathering, telling them about the commandment of circumcision and reassuring them that the child is safe and will not experience extreme pain. Sometimes at this point the mohel asks a parent (traditionally the father) to officially appoint the mohel as the designated agent to circumcise the child. The mohel:

The Holy One of Blessing said to Abraham our father: Walk before me and be perfect. Behold, I am ready and prepared to perform the precept of circumcision that the blessed Creator commanded.

The mohel then prepares the baby for circumcision, and recites the following blessing:

 

  בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל הַמִּילָה

Barukh atah Adonay eloheynu melekh ha-olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al ha-milah.

 

בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁתְנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתֶיהָ וְצִוָּתְנוּ עַל הַמִּילָה

Feminine: Brukhah at Yah Eloheynu ruakh ha-olam asher kidshatnu b’mitzvoteha v’tzivatnu al ha-milah.

Blessed are You, our God, guiding spirit of the universe, who has made us holy with Your commandments and commanded us concerning circumcision.

The parent or parents now recite the following blessing:

 

   בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַכְנִיסוֹ בִּבְרִיתוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ

Barukh atah Adonai eloheynu melekh ha-olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hakhniso bivrito shel avraham avinu (v’sarah imeinu).

 

   בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁתְנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתֶיהָ וְצִוָּתְנוּ לְהַכְנִיסוֹ בִּבְרִיתוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ

Feminine: Brukhah at Yah Eloheynu ruakh ha-olam asher kidshatnu b’mitzvoteha v’tzivatnu l’hakhniso bivrito shel avraham avinu (v’sarah imeinu).

Blessed are You, our God, guiding spirit of the universe, who has made us holy with Your commandments and commanded us to bring our son into the covenant of Abraham our father (some add: and Sarah our mother).

The guests say “amen” to the blessing.

Everyone says:
 

 

  אַמֵּן. כְּשֵׁם שֶׁנִּכְנַס שֶׁנִּכְנָס לַבְּרִית כֵּן יִכָּנֵס לְתוֹרָה וּלְאַהֲבָה וּלְמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים

K’shem shenikhnas la-brit, kein yikanes l’torah, u-li’ahavah u-l’ma’asim tovim.

Just as he has entered the covenant, so may he enter to the study of Torah, and love, and acts of lovingkindness.

Act III: Naming

Included here are three versions of this final section of the ceremony.

IIIA Traditional naming ceremony

While a parent or sandak holds the child, the officiant raises a cup of wine and recites the following kiddush.

Officiant:

 

  בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פָּרֵי הַגֶּפֶן

Barukh atah Adonay Eloheynu melekh ha-olam borey p’ri ha-gafen.

 

  בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵאת פָּרֵי הַגֶּפֶן

Brukhah at Ya Eloheynu ruakh ha-olam boreit p’ri ha-gafen.

Blessed are you, our God, guiding spirit of the universe, creator of the fruit of the vine.

 

  בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדֵּשׁ יְדִיד מִבֶּטֶן וְחֹק בִּשְׁאֵרוֹ שָׁם וְצֵאֵצְאַיו חָתַם בְּאוֹת בְּרִית קֹדֶשׁ. עַל כֵּן בִּשְׂכַר זֹאת אֵל חַי חֶלְקֵנוּ צוּרֵנוּ צַוֵּה לְהַצִּיל יְדִידוּת שְׁאֶרוֹ מִשַּׁחַת לְמַעַן בְּרִיתוֹ אֲשֶׁר שָׁם בִּבְשָׂרֵנוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי כּוֹרֵת הַבְּרִית

Barukh atah Adonay Eloheynu melekh ha-olam, asher kidesh y’did mibeten, v’khok bish’eyro sam, v’tze’etzav hatam b’ot brit kodesh. Al keyn biskhar zot, el hai, helkeynu tzureynu, tzaveyh l’hatzil y’didut sh’eyro mishakhat l’ma’an brito asher sam bivsareynu. Barukh atah Adonay, koreyt ha-brit.

Blessed are you, God, guiding spirit of the universe, who sanctifies your beloved from the womb, and has placed your law in his body, and has marked this offspring with the sign of the holy covenant. For the merit of this covenant, living God, our portion, our rock, protect this beloved child from misfortune, for the sake of this covenant that You have placed in our flesh. Blessed are you, God, who establishes the covenant.

 

אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְאִמוֹתֵינוּ קַיֵּם אֶת הַיֶּלֶד הַזֵּה לְאָבִיו וּלְאִמוֹ וְיִקָּרֵא שְׁמוֹ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל _____ בֵּן ______. (יִשְׂמַח הָאָב בְּיוֹצֵא חֲלָצָיו וְתָגֵל אִמּוֹ בִּפְרִי בִטְנָה. כַּכָּתוּב: יִשְׂמַח אָבִיךָ וְאִמְּךָ וְתָגֵל יוֹלַדְתְּךָ) וְנֶאֱמַר: וְאַעֲבֹר עָלַיִךְ וָאֵרְאֵךְ מִתְבּוֹסֶסֶת בְּדָמַיִךְ וְאָמַר לָךְ בְּדָמַיִךְ חֲיִי.  וְנֶאֱמַר: זָכָר לְעוֹלַם בְּרִיתוֹ, דָּבָר צִוָּה לְאֶלֶף דּוֹר. אֲשֶׁר כָּרַת אֶת אַבְרָהָם וּשְׁבוּעָתוֹ לְיִצְחָק וְיַעְמִידָה לְיַעֲקֹב לְחֹק לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּרִית עוֹלַם. וְנֶאֱמַר וַיַמַל אַבְרָהָם אֶתְ יִצְחַק בְּנוֹ בֵּן שְׁמֹנָת יַמִּים כְּאַשֵּׁר צִוָּה אֹתוֹ אֱלֹהִים. הוֹדוּ ליי כִּי טוֹב כִּי לְעוֹלַם חַסְדּוֹ. 

Eloheynu v’elohey avoteynu v’imoteynu, kayem et ha-yeled ha-zeh l’aviv u-l’imo, v’yikarey sh’mo b’yisrael _____ ben_____. [Yismach ha’av b’yotzey halatzav, v’tagel imo bifri vitnah. Kakatuv: yismakh avikha v’imekha, v’tagel yoladtekha] V’ne’emar: va-avor alayikh va-er’ekh mitboseset b’damayikh, va-yomar lakh b’damayikh hayi, va-yomar lakh b’damayikh hayi. Vene’emar: zahar olam b’rito, davar tzivah l’elef dor. Asher karat et avraham, ush’vuato l’yitzhak, veya’amideha l’ya’akov l’khok, l’yisrael brit olam. V’ne’emar: vayamal avraham et yitzhak b’no, ben shmonat yamim, ka’asher tzivah oto elohim. Hodu l’Adonay ki tov, ki l’olam khasdo. Hodu l’Adonay ki tov, ki l’olam khasdo.

Our God and God of our ancestors, sustain this child for his father and mother, and may his name in Israel be called______, son of_____.

[Add if appropriate: May the father rejoice in the fruit of his loins, and the mother be glad in the fruit of her womb, as it is said; your father shall rejoice and the one who gave birth to you will be glad.]

It is written: I passed by you and saw you lying in your blood, and I said: In your blood, you shall live! In your blood, you shall live!

It is written: God remembers the covenant forever, the commandment for a thousand generations. God made it with Abraham, and promised it to Isaac, and made it a law for Jacob, and an eternal covenant for Israel.

It is written: Abraham circumcised his son Isaac at the age of eight days as God had commanded him. Give thanks to God for God’s goodness—God’s love is forever!
 

_____ בֵּן ______ זֶה הַקָּטָן גָּדוֹל יִהְיֶה. כְּשֵׁם שֶׁנִּכְנַס שֶׁנִּכְנָס לַבְּרִית כֵּן יִכָּנֵס לְתוֹרָה לְחֻפָּה וּלְמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים.

_____, zeh ha-katan, gadol y’hiyeh. K’shem sheniknas-labrit, keyn yikanes l’torah, u-l’huppah u-l’maasim tovim.

_______, this little child, may he become great. Just as he has entered into the covenant, so may he enter into Torah, the wedding canopy, and deeds of lovingkindness.

The officiant drinks some wine.

Parents may wish at this time to speak about the baby’s name, its meaning and origin, and about whom the child is named after, if anyone.

The parents also recite the Shehecheyanu, the prayer over joyful events:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמָן הַזֶּה.

Barukh atah Adonay Eloheynu melekh ha-olam shehekheyanu v ‘kiy’manu v’higianu la-z’man ha-zeh.

 

בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָתְנוּ וְקִיְּמָתְנוּ וְהִגִּיעָתְנוּ לַזְּמָן הַזֶּה

Brukhah at Ya Eloheynu ruah ha-olam shehekheyanu v’kiy’matnu v’higiatnu la-z’man ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, our God, guiding spirit of the universe, who keeps us in life, who sustains us, and who enables us to reach this season.

The following prayer may be recited by the parents:

May this child’s heart be open to Torah, to learn and to teach it, to guard and to keep it. God, may you give him length of days and years, a life of restraint from wrongdoing, a life of prosperity and honor, a life where you fulfill all the wishes of his heart for good.

The group responds: Amen. Mazel tov.

IIIB. Naming Ceremony with Abbreviations and Additions

A reader recites:

When Israel stood to receive the Torah, the Holy One said to them: “I am prepared to give you My Torah. Present to Me good guarantors that you will observe and study the Torah and I shall give it to you.” They said: “Our ancestors are our guarantors.”
The Holy One said: “Your ancestors are not sufficient guarantors. Bring Me good guarantors, and I shall give you the Torah.”
They said: “Our prophets are our guarantors.”
The Holy One said: “The prophets are not sufficient guarantors. Bring Me good guarantors and I shall give you the Torah.”
They said: “Indeed, our children will be our guarantors.”
The Holy One said: “Your children are good guarantors. For their sake I give the Torah to you.”

While a parent or sandak holds the child, the officiant raises a cup of wine and recites the following:

 

  בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פָּרֵי הַגֶּפֶן

 Barukh atah Adonay Eloheynu melekh ha-olam borey p’ri ha-gafen.

 

  בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵאת פָּרֵי הַגֶּפֶן

Brukhah at Ya Eloheynu ruakh ha-olam boreyt p’ri ha-gafen.

Blessed are you, our God, guiding spirit of the universe, creator of the fruit of the vine.

The gathering responds “Amen.”

Officiant:

Blessed are you, God, Source of Life, who sanctifies your beloved from the womb. For the merit of the covenant, living God, our portion, our rock, protect this beloved child from misfortune. Blessed are you, God, who establishes the covenant. Our God and God of our ancestors, sustain this child for his father and mother, and may his name in Israel be called______, son of_____.

[Add if appropriate: May the father rejoice in the fruit of his loins. And the mother be glad in the fruit of her womb, as it is said; your father shall rejoice and the one who gave birth to you will be glad.]

It is written: God remembers the covenant forever, the commandment for a thousand generations. God made it with Abraham, and promised it to Isaac, and made it a law for Jacob, and an eternal covenant for Israel.

_______, this little child, may he become great. Just as he has entered into the covenant, so may he enter into Torah, the wedding canopy, and deeds of lovingkindness.

The officiant drinks some wine.

Parents may wish at this time to speak about the baby’s name, its meaning and origin, and about whom the child is named after, if anyone. (See this guide to baby naming.)

Parents may also wish, at this time, to light a ner neshamah, a soul candle, representing the new soul of the baby. (See this candle lighting blessing for a new baby).

The parents also recite the Shehecheyanu, the prayer over joyful events:

 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמָן הַזֶּה.

Barukh atah Adonay Eloheynu melekh ha-olam she-hekheyanu v ‘kiy’manu v’higianu la-z’man ha-zeh.

 

בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָתְנוּ וְקִיְּמָתְנוּ וְהִגִּיעָתְנוּ לַזְּמָן הַזֶּה

Brukhah at Ya Eloheynu ruakh ha-olam she-hekheyatnu v’kiy’matnu v’higiatnu la-z’man ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, God, guiding spirit of the universe, who keeps us in life, who sustains us and who enables us to reach this season.

Parents or grandparents may conclude by blessing the child with the priestly blessing:

 

יְבָרֶכְךָ אֲדֹנָי וִישַׁמֶּרְךָ

יאר אֲדֹנָי פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחַנֵּךְ 

 יִשָּׂא אֲדֹנָי פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיַשֵּׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם

Y’varekhekha Adonay v’yishmarekha.
Ya’er Adonay panav eilekha v’y’chuneka.

Yisa Adonay panav eilekha v’yasem l’kha shalom.

IIIC. Alternative Naming

(This naming ritual for boys is based on a ceremony created by Rabbi Lenny Gordon and Dr. Lori Lefkovitz, using the pattern of the seven wedding blessings.)

Officiant, parents, relatives, and/or other participants may share in reciting the following blessings. During this ceremony, the baby may be wrapped in a tallit and/or held under a tallit stretched out to form a huppah. If your ceremony includes a circumcision and you wish to use these seven blessings, you may want to recite them prior to the circumcision [Act II], as an uncomfortable baby may have some difficulty getting through all seven.)

1. Kiddush (Holding cup of wine; this cup will be passed to everyone who recites a blessing)

 

  בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פָּרֵי הַגֶּפֶן

 Barukh atah Adonay Eloheynu melekh ha-olam borey p’ri ha-gafen.

 

  בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵאת פָּרֵי הַגֶּפֶן

Brukhah at Ya Eloheynu ruakh ha-olam boreyt p’ri ha-gafen.

Blessed are you, Eternal our God, guiding spirit of the universe, creator of the fruit of the vine.

2. Blessing over Creation

 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהַכֹּל נִהְיֶה בִּדְבָרוֹֹ

Barukh atah Adonay Eloheynu melekh ha-olam she-ha-kol nih’yeh bidvaro.

בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהַכֹּל נִהְיֶה בִּדְבָרָה.

Brukhah at Ya Eloheטnu ruaלh ha-olam she-ha-kol nih’yeh bidvarah.

Blessed are you, Eternal our God, guiding spirit of the universe, for everything came into being according to your word.

3. Blessing over Humanity

 

    בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם יוֹצֵר הָאָדָם 

Barukh atah Adonay Eloheynu melekh ha-ol am, yotzer ha-adam.

 

    בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם יוֹצֶרֶת הָאָדָם 

Brukhah at Ya Eloheynu ruakh ha-olam yotzeret ha-adam.

Blessed are you, Eternal our God, guiding spirit of the universe, creator of human beings.

4. Blessing over Human Creative Potential

 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר יָצַר אֶת הָאָדָם בְּצַלְמוֹ בְּצֶלֶם דְּמוּת תַּבְנִיתוֹ וְהִתקִין לוֹ מִמְנוֹ בִּנְיָן עֲדֵי עַד. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם יוֹצֵר הָאָדָם 

Barukh atah Adonay Eloheynu melekh ha-olam, asher yatzar et ha-adam b’tzalmo, b’tzelem dmut tavnito, v’hitkin lo mimenu binyan adey ad. Barukh atah Adonay, yotzer ha-adam.

 

בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר יָצְרָה אֶת הָאָדָם בְּצָלְמַה בְּצֶלֶם דְּמוּת תַּבְנִיתָהּ וְהִתקִינָה לָהּ מִמֶּנָּה בִּנְיָן עֲדֵי עַד. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם יוֹצֶרֶת הָאָדָם 

Brukhah at Ya Eloheynu ruakh ha-olam, asher yatzrah et ha-adam b’tzalmah, b’tzelem dmut tavnitah, v’hitkina lah mimena binyan adey ad. Brukhah at Ya Eloheynu ruakh ha-olam yotzeret ha-adam.

Blessed are you, Eternal our God, guiding spirit of the universe, who created the human being in your image and in your likeness, and fashioned out of the being of humans a structure for eternity. Blessed are you, God, creator of human beings.

5. Blessing over this Child

  אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְאִמוֹתֵינוּ קַיֵּם אֶת הַיֶּלֶד הַזֵּה לְאָבִיו וּלְאִמוֹ וְיִקָּרֵא שְׁמוֹ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל ________בן ______________. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ כּוֹרֵת הַבְּרִית.

Eloheynu v’elohey avoteynu v’imoteynu, kayem et ha-yeled ha-zeh (l’aviv u-l’imo), v’yikarey shmo b’yisrael _____ ben ____________. Barukh atah Adonay, koreit ha-brit.

Our God and God of our fathers and mothers, sustain this child (for his father and mother). May his name in Israel be called _____ son of ______. Blessed are you, God, who establishes the covenant.

6. Blessing Over Seeing a Beautiful Sight

 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁכָּכָה בְּעוֹלָמוֹ

Barukh atah Adonay Eloheynu me lekh ha-olam she-kacha lo b’olamo.

 

בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁכָּכָה בְּעוֹלָמָהּ

Brukhah at Ya Eloheynu ruakh ha-olam she-kacha lo b’olamah.

Blessed are you, our God, guiding spirit of the universe, who has put such a beautiful thing in the world.

7. Blessing Over Joyful Occasions

 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמָן הַזֶּה.

Barukh atah Adonay Eloheynu melekh ha-olam she-hekheyanu v ‘kiy’manu v’higianu la-z’man ha-zeh.

 

בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָתְנוּ וְקִיְּמָתְנוּ וְהִגִּיעָתְנוּ לַזְּמָן הַזֶּה

Brukhah at Ya Eloheynu ruakh ha-olam she-hekheyatnu v’kiy’matnu v’higiatnu la-z’man ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, our God, guiding spirit of the universe, who keeps us in life, who sustains us and w ho enables us to reach this season.

Those who have recited blessings drink wine or grape juice.

Parents may wish at this time to speak about the baby’s name, its meaning and origin, and about whom the child is named after, if anyone.

Parents or grandparents may conclude by blessing the child with the priestly blessing:

 

יְבָרֶכְךָ אֲדֹנָי וִישַׁמֶּרְךָ

 

יאר אֲדֹנָי פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחַנֵּךְ 
 יִשָּׂא אֲדֹנָי פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיַשֵּׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם
 

Y’varekhekha Adonay v’yishmarekha.
Ya’er Adonay panav eilekha v’y’chuneka.

Yisa Adonay panav eilekha v’yasem l’kha shalom.

May God bless you and keep you. May God shine the Divine countenance on you and be gracious to you.
May God turn God’s face to you and give you peace.

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