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Judaism places significant emphasis on welcoming a child into the covenant community. Birth rituals reinforce identity, tradition, and the family’s responsibility to raise the child within Jewish life.
A. Naming and Blessing the Child
Orthodox Judaism
In Orthodox communities, a newborn is often blessed in the synagogue on the first Shabbat after birth. The father recites blessings from the Torah, expressing gratitude for the safe delivery and asking for the wellbeing of the mother and baby. A baby girl’s name is announced during this blessing, while a baby boy receives his formal name at his Brit Milah on the eighth day.
Reform Judaism
Reform families may take a more flexible approach. Both parents may take part in the blessing, and the naming of a child—regardless of gender—may occur on a date that is suitable for the family rather than strictly the first Shabbat.
B. Brit Milah (Covenant of Circumcision)
The Brit Milah is one of the most important birth ceremonies in Judaism. Held on the eighth day after a boy’s birth, it recalls the covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 17 and symbolises the child’s entry into Jewish identity.
Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility. This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised. You must cut off the flesh of your foreskin as a sign of the covenant between me and you. From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased. All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant. Any male who fails to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for breaking the covenant.” (Genesis 17)
A minyan is ideally present. The ceremony traditionally includes an empty chair representing the prophet Elijah, who is believed to attend every circumcision.
A mohel, specially trained for this role, performs the circumcision while the baby is placed on the knees of the sandek, an honoured family member or friend. Blessings are said over wine, the father recites a blessing for his son, and the baby receives his name. The ceremony normally ends with a festive meal celebrating the covenant.
C. Pidyon Haben (Redemption of the Firstborn Son)
In Orthodox communities, if the child is a firstborn son who is not the son of a kohen or levi, the family may observe the Pidyon Haben. This takes place thirty-one days after birth and involves giving five silver coins to a kohen in symbolic redemption of the child from ancient Temple service. Prayers are recited asking that the boy “enters into Torah, into marriage, and into good deeds,” reflecting hopes for his future life.
D. Other Customs
Some families mark the birth of a boy with a Shalom Zachar, held on the first Friday night after the birth, offering a gentle welcome into the Jewish community.
Shalom Zachar is a simple Jewish celebration held on the first Friday night after a baby boy is born, welcoming him into the community. After the Friday night meal, family, friends, and neighbours visit the home to offer congratulations and blessings. Light foods are served, often including chickpeas, whose round shape symbolises the cycle of life. The event expresses gratitude to God for the baby’s safe arrival, but it also has a deeper spiritual meaning: Jewish tradition teaches that a baby learns the Torah in the womb but forgets it when born, so the Shalom Zachar acts as a way of comforting the baby and gently welcoming him into the world where he will one day learn the Torah again. This gathering strengthens community ties and begins the child’s spiritual journey, which will continue with the brit milah on the eighth day.
It is also traditional in some circles for the first words spoken to a newborn to be the Shema, symbolising the child’s introduction to faith from the very beginning of life.