Holland High School

Religious Education
Grade 7
February 15-16, 2020
Topic: Rites of Passage
Sub Topic: Birth Ceremonies- Judaism: Circumcision

Learning Objectives: Students should be able to

1. Define the terms circumcision, mohel, brit milah
2. Identify the age at which circumcision is done
3. Explain the importance of circumcision to the Jews
4. Describe a circumcision ceremony

What is circumcision?
 Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin of the penis. It is done when the boy 8 days
old.
The importance of circumcision
 It is one of the oldest Jewish practices of Judaism. It goes all the way back to Abraham in
the book of Genesis.
 God made a covenant (formal agreement) with Abraham and circumcision was a mark or
sign of that covenant.
 All of Abraham’s descendant were to be circumcised as a sign y=that they belong to the
Jewish nation and the covenant with God.

The ceremony

 The ceremony of circumcision is known as Brit Milah

 It is done by a professional circumciser called a mohel.
 The baby is carried into the room by a female relative or friend. The child’s mother does
not attend the circumcision.
 The grandfather, the sandek, holds the baby while the circumcision is carried out.
  The father then recalls the words spoken to Abraham by God. Then everyone present
responds with a prayer.

Naming

 If the baby is a girl her father is called up to the bimah (a raised platform) at the front of
the synagogue to read from the Torah.
 He also announces the name of the baby to the congregation.
 Jewish boys are given two names at their circumcision. One of them is Hebrew which he
uses on all religious occasions
 The word ‘ben’ meaning ‘son of’ is included in their full name, followed by the name of
their father.

Please watch this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkpeHqCSzIo