by Aviva Blumstein | Brit/Simchat Bat/Pidyon
My friends Shani and Ilan wanted to celebrate the birth of their second daughter, their fourth child. This ceremony was particularly pertinent because it took place on the baby’s 31 day of life, 31 days after Ilan’s father had passed away. Yes, the beautiful blessing...
by Aviva Blumstein | Blog, Brit/Simchat Bat/Pidyon
Composed by Shelley List and Yael Penkower. English:Master of the creation: You have made me your partner in creating a new life on this great and wonderful day. My heart is filled with joy! Let my husband and family stand with me and praise Your mercy. For You did...
by Aviva Blumstein | Brit/Simchat Bat/Pidyon
–Searching for a way to celebrate the birth of a Jewish girl– There is no arguing that the Jewish baby boy who comes into this world is given a grand and meaningful welcome. The Hebrew word for circumcision is Brit Milah, and it means covenant. The newborn...
by Aviva Blumstein | Brit/Simchat Bat/Pidyon
Tikun Eliyahu The Tikun Eliyahu (also called Leil Shimurim – night of vigil or Vechnacht) takes place on the night before the Brit Milah. The idea is to have a night of Torah study beside the baby’s crib. This custom is based on the notion that a newborn...
by Aviva Blumstein | Brit/Simchat Bat/Pidyon
According to the Talmud, when the child forms is in his/her mother’s womb, an Angel teaches him Torah. However, once the child is born to the world, the angel pats him on above his mouth and the child forgets it all – this pat leaves a mark on our top lip. The newborn...
by Aviva Blumstein | Blog, Brit/Simchat Bat/Pidyon
The blessings and prayers have been translated into English, in the ceremony they are said in Hebrew and can be found in the siddur. –The baby is brought into the room– At the beginning of the ceremony, the mother hands the baby to the kvatterin. Everyone...
