The Venue
It is customary for the Bris to be performed in a synagogue. If this is
not possible, it can be performed at home or in any other fitting
location. It is preferable for the Bris to be performed in the presence of
a Minyan (a quorum of ten Jewish male adults over the age of thirteen),
for we are taught that when ten Jewish men are gathered the
Divine Presence rests on the assemblage in an amplified manner.
Time
of Day
A
Bris is usually performed following the Morning Prayer service. If
this is not possible, it can be done any time during the day. However,
a Bris can never be done at night, which according to the Jewish calendar,
begins at sunset.
If having the Bris in the afternoon will result in a larger attendance, it
is preferable to wait and have it done in the afternoon, as this adds in
the joy of the mitzvah.
Causes
for Postponement
It is of
utmost importance that the Bris
be held on the eight day from the child's birth. However, in certain medical
circumstances where there is even a remote possibility that the child is not strong
enough
to undergo the Bris, the Torah requires that the Bris be postponed until he regains his strength.
Also,
when the child has a yellow appearance and has been diagnosed with jaundice, we must wait for the
condition to clear and perform the Bris on the following day. However, in
certain cases we even wait an additional seven days before performing the
Bris, as Maimonides states: "It is always possible to perform a Bris,
whereas one cannot bring
a Jewish soul back to life."
In
the case where there are twins (or more), and one is
healthy and can undergo the Bris, while the
other is not, we make each Bris separately and do not wait to do them both at the
same time.
One should consult a competent Rabbi or Mohel to discuss any circumstances
that may deem a postponement.
A
Bris on Shabbat
If
following a natural delivery (to exclude caesarean births) the Bris
falls out on Shabbat, all preparations for the Bris must be done prior
to the onset of Shabbat (which begins with sunset on Friday). One should
consult a competent Rabbi for the proper procedures.
A
Bris on Special Days
Rosh
Hashanah: The
Bris is performed following the Torah reading of the morning services, before the sounding of
the Shofar.
Yom
Kippur: The Bris is
performed following the Torah reading of
the morning services. The celebratory meal is held at night, after the fast is over.
Sukkot: The
Bris is performed in the usual time, but not in the Sukkah. However, the
celebratory meal is held in the Sukkah.
Purim: The Bris is performed following the Torah reading of the morning
services, but before the reading of the Megillah. If it is performed
at home it is done after the reading of the Megillah.
Tisha
B'Av: The
Bris is performed following the recitation of the Kinot. The
celebratory meal is held at night, after the fast is over.
