Simchat Bat: Welcoming Our Daughters into the Covenant

As a mohel with over 30 years of experience guiding families through sacred Jewish traditions, I've witnessed the beautiful evolution of how we welcome our children into the Covenant of Israel. While Brit Milah (the covenant ceremony for boys) has a clearly defined structure dating back to biblical times, the ceremony welcoming daughters—known as Simchat Bat (rejoicing of a daughter)—offers families a meaningful opportunity to create traditions that honor both our ancient heritage and contemporary values.

The Sacred Space for Daughters

In our tradition, every Jewish child—regardless of gender—is born into the covenant between God and the Jewish people. The Simchat Bat ceremony, sometimes called Brit Bat, emerged organically as families sought to create sacred moments marking a daughter's entry into the Jewish community with the same intentionality as we celebrate that of our sons.

Unlike Brit Milah, which the Torah explicitly commands to be performed on the eighth day, Simchat Bat has greater flexibility in timing and format. This openness allows each family to craft a ceremony that resonates with their connection to tradition and personal values. Many families choose to hold the celebration within the first few weeks of their daughter's life, though others wait until the mother has fully recovered from childbirth.  The timing of a Simchat Bat ceremony can also take into account the season of the year and the travel or work schedule of out-of-town relatives who wish to attend.

Do I Need a Rabbi or a Mohel?

A mohel with well-developed skills in communication and experience in presiding over sacred life cycle moments could help shape a meaningful and memorable ceremony.  But since Simchat Bat does not include a physical ritual equivalent to circumcision, it is possible to hold a Simchat Bat without a mohel present.  If you are affiliated with a synagogue, either as a formal member, a frequent visitor, or a member of a pre-school community, it is a good idea to connect with the synagogue’s clergy.  Let them know that you’ve welcomed a new baby into your family.  In all likelihood, the clergyperson (rabbi or cantor) will be eager to celebrate with you either in the synagogue or in your home.  If you intend to contact the clergy, it’s best to do so before setting a date and time for the celebration.

Where Should I Hold the Ceremony?

Traditionally, a Simchat Bat, like a Brit Milah ceremony, would be held in a synagogue, though doing so is not a requirement.  Those who choose to celebrate the birth of a child in the synagogue do so out of a desire to add another tangible element of connection to Jewish tradition.  There is an advantage to holding the ceremony in your home, if space allows.  This is especially true if the weather is cold or inclement, which would enable you to avoid making a trip outside.  Other venues include another private apartment or home, which may be large enough to accommodate your guest list, a restaurant with an amenities room, or the community room in an apartment building.  It’s important to emphasize that the most important part of the day is the words spoken and the feelings of love and connection in the room where you are celebrating.

Elements of a Meaningful Simchat Bat

While there is no single prescribed format for Simchat Bat, several beautiful elements have become customary:

The Naming Ceremony

At the heart of the Simchat Bat is the bestowing of the baby's Hebrew name. Names in Judaism carry profound significance—they connect us to our ancestors, embody our hopes for our children, and become part of their essential identity. The formal Hebrew naming typically includes the formula "[child's Hebrew name] bat/daughter of [parents' Hebrew names]."

Many families choose names that honor beloved relatives (a practice called shemot) or select names whose meanings reflect qualities they hope their daughter will embody. The moment when parents publicly announce their daughter's name often becomes the emotional center of the ceremony.

Blessings and Readings

Many families incorporate readings from Jewish texts that speak to the values they hope to instill in their daughter. Selections from Eishet Chayil (A Woman of Valor) from Proverbs, Psalms, and contemporary Jewish poetry are popular choices.

The ceremony typically includes several traditional Jewish blessings:

• The Shehecheyanu blessing, thanking God for sustaining us and bringing us to this moment

• Blessings over wine (kiddush) and bread (motzi), if there will be a meal of celebration.

• Special blessings for the baby's health, wisdom, and character

Symbolic Rituals

Families often incorporate beautiful symbolic elements that give tangible expression to their hopes and blessings:

• Wrapping the baby in a tallit (prayer shawl), which symbolizes being embraced by Jewish tradition

• If the ceremony is held in a synagogue, one can lift the baby toward the Torah or touch her hand to the Torah scroll, signifying her future relationship with Jewish learning

• Lighting candles to represent bringing light into the world

• Washing the baby's feet as a symbol of purity and new beginnings

• Planting a tree to symbolize roots and growth

Community and Family Participation

One of the most meaningful aspects of Simchat Bat is involving family and community. Grandparents might offer generational blessings, siblings can welcome their new sister with songs or drawings, and friends might share their wishes for the child's future.

The ceremony often concludes with a festive meal (Seudat Mitzvah), fulfilling the Jewish tradition of marking sacred occasions through shared celebration.

Creating Your Family's Tradition

As you plan your daughter's Simchat Bat, I encourage you to reflect on the values and traditions most meaningful to your family. Consider:

• Which aspects of Jewish tradition do you most hope to pass on to your daughter?

• Are there family customs from previous generations you wish to incorporate?

• Which prayers, songs, or readings speak to your vision for your daughter's future?

• How can you involve extended family and community in meaningful ways?

Many families choose to create a written program that guides guests through the ceremony and explains the significance of each element. This becomes not only a practical guide but a keepsake that your daughter might treasure in years to come.

The Ongoing Journey

While the Simchat Bat marks the beginning of your daughter's Jewish journey, it represents just the first step in what will be a lifetime of connection to our tradition. Throughout her life, you'll have countless opportunities to deepen her relationship with her heritage through holiday celebrations, learning experiences, acts of tikkun olam (repairing the world), and the daily rhythms of Jewish living.

In my years as a mohel, I've been privileged to witness how these welcoming ceremonies become foundational memories for families—moments when they publicly affirm their commitment to raising their children with Jewish values and connection. Whether welcoming sons through Brit Milah or daughters through Simchat Bat, these ceremonies remind us that each child brings unique blessings to our families and to klal Yisrael (the community of Israel).

As you prepare to welcome your daughter, may you find meaning in creating a ceremony that honors both the wisdom of our tradition and the unique spirit of your child. May your Simchat Bat be filled with joy, connection, and the blessings of community—and may your daughter grow to find her own place within the ongoing story of our people.

L'dor v'dor (from generation to generation),

Rabbi Mark Cooper