The Ceremony

The baby is brought into the room by the k'vater(in). Explanations are offered in honor of the Bris. The baby is placed in the chair of Elijah. The baby is then held in the lap of the sandek where the Bris is performed. Immediately before the circumcision is performed I recite my b'racha (blessing). After the Bris is performed the father recites his b'racha. If the father has difficulty reading Hebrew he may recite his b'racha verbatim with me. The translation of the father's b'racha is, Blessed are you, Hashem, our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by His commandments, and has commanded us to bring him into the covenant of Abraham, our father. The baby is then held by the sandek me'umad. With kiddush cup in hand, I or another honored guest will recite the next two blessings. The first blessing is over the wine. The second blessing praises G-d, "who established the covenant with His people Israel." Finally a prayer for the welfare of the child is said during which his Hebrew name is formally announced. The child is then given a taste of wine.