Special Consideration

Hatafas Dam Bris: When a child is born as if circumcised, or has been circumcised before the eighth day in a hospital, a ritual called hatafas dam Bris is required. This symbolic circumcision involves drawing a drop of blood from the Bris area of the penis. The child also is named at this time.

Conversion/Adoption: When both parents are Jewish, the child is Jewish. If only one parent is Jewish, the child's religion is determined by that of the birth mother. In the event the birth mother is not Jewish, the child must be converted if the parents want their child to be Jewish. For a boy, the first step in this process is Bris Milah, followed by immersion in a mikveh (ritual bath), usually at the age of one year. "Anyone who rears a child in his home is considered as though he/she had given birth to him." Talmud, Ketubbot 50a.

If a male child born of a non-Jewish mother is adopted by Jewish parents, he also must undergo conversion. The process is as described above. The adoptive parents assume responsibility for circumcision and mikveh as well as for the many other educational obligations which lead to the child's understanding and acceptance of Torah and mitzvos. An older child or adult male who wishes to convert to Judaism also must undergo circumcision, or hatafas dam Bris.