Understanding Hatafat Dam Brit: A Bridge to Covenant

As a mohel with over three decades of experience, I've been privileged to guide many families through sacred Jewish lifecycle moments. Among the less commonly discussed but spiritually significant rituals is Hatafat Dam Brit (הטפת דם ברית), literally meaning 'the drawing of the blood of the covenant.' This gentle procedure carries profound meaning for those reconnecting with their Jewish heritage or affirming their place within our covenant community.

What is Hatafat Dam Brit?

Hatafat Dam Brit is a symbolic ritual involving the drawing of a drop of blood from the site of circumcision. It is called for when a person who is not Jewish but circumcised wishes to convert.  This might include an adult who is choosing Judaism, or an infant who was circumcised in a hospital setting but did not have the religious ceremony of Brit Milah (בְּרִית מִילָה, covenant of circumcision).  Unlike a complete Brit Milah, which involves the removal of the foreskin, Hatafat Dam Brit is symbolic or token circumcision.

The ritual fulfills the halachic (Jewish legal) requirement of having a physical representation of the covenant between the individual and the Divine.

Hatafat Dam is never performed instead of circumcision, and is reserved only for situations where an individual has already undergone a surgical procedure that was not done L’shem Mitzvah (for the sake of performing a sacred task).

When is Hatafat Dam Brit Performed?

This meaningful ritual is performed in several circumstances:

1. For male converts to Judaism who were previously circumcised for non-religious reasons

2. For babies who were circumcised in a hospital rather than through a religious Brit Milah ceremony.  This might include an infant who was circumcised in the hospital prior to discharge after a few days, or a baby born with a minor anomaly or abnormality of the penis, which requires surgical correction several months after birth.  

3. For those born without a foreskin (a rare condition called aposthia)

4. In cases where a previous circumcision may have been halachically questionable, such as a circumcision done with the intent of performing a mitzvah (sacred Jewish act) but at the wrong time, such as prior to the eighth day.

In each case, the goal remains the same: to fulfill the mitzvah (commandment) of entering into the covenant of Abraham in accordance with Jewish tradition by honoring, in a symbolic way, the ritual of circumcision.

The Ritual

As a mohel who prioritizes compassion alongside tradition, I reassure families that Hatafat Dam Brit is a brief and minimally invasive procedure. It involves:

• A sterile lancet used to draw a single drop of blood

• Application of this in a manner that does not cause any discernible discomfort

• The entire medical aspect typically takes just moments

For infants, the procedure is often less uncomfortable than a routine medical check-up. For adults, while there is mild discomfort, with most reporting that the emotional and spiritual significance far outweighs the momentary sensation of discomfort.

Throughout the procedure, I maintain the highest standards of medical care, including wearing gloves and using sterile equipment and gentle techniques refined through years of practice.

The Spiritual Significance

The Hebrew word "brit" means covenant – a sacred, eternal bond. When we perform Hatafat Dam Brit, we're creating a physical embodiment of this spiritual connection between the individual and God, between present and past, between the personal and communal.

In the Torah, God tells Abraham: "This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised" (Genesis 17:10). Hatafat Dam Brit honors this commandment while acknowledging modern circumstances.

Many families find profound meaning in this ceremony, viewing it as a bridge connecting their loved one to thousands of years of Jewish continuity. It's not simply a physical act but a spiritual transformation – marking entry into the covenant community of Israel.

The Ceremonial Context

While the procedure itself is brief, the ceremony surrounding Hatafat Dam Brit can be as meaningful and celebratory as the family wishes:

• For adults, it is commonly integrated into the broader conversion process

• For babies, it includes the elements of a traditional Brit Milah ceremony

• Prayers, blessings, and the giving of a Hebrew name often accompany the ritual

• Family and friends may be present at the ceremony, those for the sake of modesty the ritual is performed with only the mohel and candidate present.

• Hatafat Dam is oftened performed on the day of visiting the mikvah (ritual immersion required for conversion to Judaism).

• Token witnesses are usually present, though they typically do not observe the actual ritual and only view evidence that it has been properly performed.

• A Seudat Mitzvah (festive meal) frequently follows

As your mohel, I work closely with families and rabbis to create a ceremony that honors both tradition and personal meaning. Whether intimate or communal, each ceremony is tailored to reflect the unique journey of the individual.

Common Questions from Families

In my years of service, I've found families often have similar questions about this less-familiar ritual:

Is it painful? The procedure causes minimal discomfort – typically described as a quick pinch, equivalent to a blood draw.

How long does it take? The procedural aspect takes only 2-3 minutes, though the ceremonial elements may last 15-30 minutes depending on the family's wishes.

Who should be present? This is entirely the family's choice. Some prefer an intimate gathering with just immediate family and ritual participants, while others welcome a wider community.  Only the mohel and candidate are present for the ritual, while others may attend the larger ceremony.

Where is it performed? The ceremony can take place in a synagogue or onsite at the mikvah.  Some mikvah sites in the New York area do not allow Hatafat Dam to be performed on their premises, requiring that the ritual be performed at a nearby synagogue.

A Bridge Between Worlds

What makes Hatafat Dam Brit particularly meaningful is its role as a bridge – between medical circumstance and spiritual intention, between past decisions and present commitments, between individual identity and communal belonging.

For converts, it represents the culmination of a spiritual journey. For parents whose child was circumcised medically, it offers the opportunity to embrace the religious dimension of this ancient practice. For all, it affirms a connection to the covenant that has sustained our people across generations.

A Personal Reflection

In my years serving Jewish families, I've been continually moved by the profound meaning that emerges in these sacred moments. Hatafat Dam Brit, though simple in its physical expression, often becomes a powerful emotional and spiritual milestone.

Whether witnessing the tears of a convert completing their journey home, or the joy of parents connecting their child to ancestral tradition, these ceremonies remind us of the beautiful interweaving of physical act and spiritual meaning that characterizes so much of Jewish life.

May all who undergo this sacred ritual find blessing in their connection to covenant, community, and the eternal chain of Jewish tradition.

Rabbi Mark Cooper serves the New York Jewish community as a mohel, performing Brit Milah and Hatafat Dam Brit ceremonies with compassion, skill, and respect for every family's journey.