Blessings Recited at a Bris

The Brit Milah service contains several Hebrew blessings, most of which are recited by the Mohel. The service traditionally begins with the lighting of candles. No blessing is recited over the candles at a brit.

Parents' Blessing

It is a lovely custom to recite these words of blessing to your son during the brit service. These are the same words traditionally recited at the Shabbat table when blessing our children.

Ye-simcha Elohim ke-ephraim ve-chi'menashe

Ye-vareche'cha Adonai ve-yish'merecha

Ya-er Adonai panav eilecha vi-chuneka

Yisa Adonai panav eilecha ve-yasem lecha shalom
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Translation:

May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe.

May God bless you and watch over you.

May God's face shine on you and be gracious to you.

May God look upon you kindly and give you shalom.

Father's Blessing

While Rabbi Cooper recites a blessing when performing the mitzvah of milah (circumcision), the father recites a blessing upon ushering his son into the covenant. Often, both parents choose to say this blessing.

Baruch ata Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam asher kidshanu be-mitzvotav ve-tzivanu le-hachniso biv'rito shel Avraham avinu.
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Praised are You, Adonai, our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who has sanctified with His commandments and Who has commanded us to enter my (our) child into Abraham's covenant.

The "Motsi"

The brit is celebrated with a communal festive meal. The ceremonial beginning of the meal is the recitation of the prayer over the bread, known as the "Motsi." You may honor someone special with the recitation of this blessing.

Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam ha-motsi lechem min ha-aretz.
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Praised are You, Adonai, our God, Sovereign of the Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.