Bris Mila literally means ” Covenant of Circumcision.” It is the oldest rite in Jewish history and has been performed faithfully for 4,000 years by Jews of all observances. Its origins date back to our Patriarch, Avraham, who was commanded by G-d to circumcise himself at the age of 99 years. Through Avraham’s bris with G-d, his wife Sarah was blessed with the birth of their son, Yitzchak. Avraham circumcised Yitzchak on the 8th day of life, and this tradition has been carried out from father to son throughout the generations.

Bris Mila is the common thread that unites our community. It imprints on each male child the physical sign of his Jewish identity and it is a symbol of the eternal bond between G-d and the Children of Israel. Its observance today is testimony to the continuity and strength of that relationship. This mitzvah is of such importance that the Talmud compares the value of the bris to the sum of the other 612 commandments (Nedarim 32a).

The ceremony that accompanies the bris incorporates the elements of its history, customs, and Jewish laws. This rich tradition should be celebrated in the presence of family and friends and special honors are given to loved ones. It is Dr. Singer’s hope that your son’s bris will be a deeply meaningful and beautiful life cycle event.

The Torah commands us:
G-d further said to Abraham, “As for you, you and your offspring to come throughout the ages shall keep My covenant. Such shall be the covenant between Me and you and your offspring to follow which you shall keep: every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. And throughout the generations, every male among you shall be circumcised at the age of eight days…Thus shall My covenant be marked in your flesh as an everlasting pact.” (Bereshit chapter 17:9-13)