Should you be fortunate enough to bring a new child into the world, we would happy to welcome him or her with an appropriate ceremony. Traditionally, a brit milah (circumcision) for a baby boy is held on the 8th day after birth (see Genesis 17), and there is also a covenant service for a girl that can be done on the 8th day, called brit ha-banot (a covenant for daughters). There the physical act that accompanies the service can be wrapping the baby in a tallit or washing her feet.
Some families prefer to have the brit milah performed in the hospital before mother and baby come home. Since it is difficult to schedule such an event at a time when the rabbi can be present, we suggest that you plan a naming service either on the 8th day at home or at some later time. If the child is a first-born, then the 31st day after birth would be most appropriate. That’s the traditional time to “redeem” a first-born child and to say thanks.
For either a brit or a naming ceremony, we encourage parents to learn how to recite the Sheh-heh-chee-yah-nu (thanksgiving) blessing, which can readily be obtained online or from the Beth El office. Usually a challah and wine are available to those attending. A non-Jewish spouse may say the Hebrew or the English, whatever is more comfortable.
Namings can be held at home or in the synagogue.
For information on Hebrew names, please contact Rabbi Sperling at the synagogue.
