Brit Milah – religious rite of circumcision performed eight days after a boy's birth

(Pronounced brit-my-lah)

To remember the meaning of Brit Milah in Judaism, use the following mnemonic:

In Britain, my large (brit milah) house has been turned into a clinic where circumcisions can take place.

Circumcision dates back to the Book of Genesis, when it is believed God commanded Abraham to circumcise himself and his offspring as a sign of the covenant between God and Jews.

Many modern Jews still see it as an important tradition that connects the generations.

There are no rules governing the location of the rite. Traditionally, Jews hold it in a synagogue during the morning service. However, brit milah is often held at the home of the baby’s parents or grandparents.

Not all Jewish boys have a brit milah. Some parents opt to have their son circumcised in a hospital or to have the procedure done privately, with only close family present. A small but growing number of Jewish parents object to circumcision completely and skip the procedure.