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Blessings Book
with Audio CD

On the special day, when the child is brought in to the room, everyone present cries out: “Baruch Haba!” - Welcome! The baby is then placed on kisei shel Eliyahu - Elijah’s chair - and the mohel (ritual circumcisor) moves him to the knees of the sandek (usually the grandfather). The mohel then recites:

Barukh Attah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha’Olam,
asher kideshanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu ‘al ha-milah.

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to do the milah.

During the circumcision procedure itself, the father recites:

Barukh Attah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha’Olam,
asher kideshanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu l’hakhniso bivrito shel Avraham avinu.

Blessed art Thou, LORD our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to bring him into the covenant of Abraham our father.

All present respond with:

Amein. K’shem shenikhnas labrit, ken yikaneis l’Torah u’lchupah u’lma’asim tovim.

Amen! Just as he has entered into the covenant, so may he enter into the study of Torah, the marriage canopy, and the performance of good deeds.

After the circumcision, the baby is held by a guest. Another guest (or the Mohel) fills the cup of wine (symbol of sanctity and joy) and recites the blessing:

Barukh Attah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha’Olam,
borei p’ri ha-gafen.

Blessed art Thou, LORD our God, King of the universe,
Creator of the fruit of the vine.

[A drop of wine may be put into the child’s mouth after the blessing.]

Everyone responds with a hearty “Amen!”


Note: Additional blessings may be said at this time. See a Siddur for more information.

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Hebrew for Christians
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