5.26.2009

Snip, Snip ~ Let's Eat

Last Friday we celebrated Grady's first right of passage as a Jewish male ... the Brit Milah ... also known as a Bris or covenant of circumcision. The Bris is a religious ceremony within Judaism to welcome Jewish infant boys into a covenant between G-d and the Children of Israel on the eighth day of the child's life. The Bris is generally done by a Mohel or circumciser (unless the father chooses to do it... which was NOT happening in our case), and the one we chose for Grady was also a local pediatric urologist.

The Bris consists of both the circumcision and the baby naming, and thankfully the first part went rather quickly and without too much trauma to either Grady or myself. I couldn't watch the procedure, though Matt and other relatives did. It was over within two minutes, and after bandaging him and feeding him a few extra sips of Manishevitz, Grady was re-diapered and given back to me to comfort.

Traditionally Ashkenazi Jews have the custom of naming after the deceased. The immortalization of a close family member or friend is a beautiful tradition. Grady's Hebrew name is Yacov Mordecai. He was named after both of his paternal grandfathers.

As with all Jewish celebrations, they are immediately followed by a feast of mass proportions... and this one was no different. We spent the rest of the day eating the endless trays of catered food ordered for our simcha. We schmoozed with family and friends and celebrated Grady's big day.

As a side note... the worst part of the circumcision was changing the dressing the next day. Oh boy, I think I whimpered as much as Grady did. Thankfully all is well and he's healing perfectly.



Left: Tools for the Bris ... Right: Just before the procedure



Left: The Mohel performing the Bris ... Right: Our first family photo

20 comments:

Robin said...

Glad it all went so smoothly. I hid out in the other room during my son's bris too. My dad turned green when he found out that the grandfather traditionally holds the baby during the ceremony, but he managed to get through it without anybody being dropped or passing out.

Your new family portrait is just beautiful.

G in Berlin said...

Mazel Tov!

Z. Marie said...

Love the family photo! The girls look so happy.

Kim said...

So happy to hear it all went well!!! That is one beautiful family you have!!

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

I don't think I could have watched either!

And your new family picture - ya'll look fabulous - and Matt is just beaming!

Suzanne said...

Your family photo is simply wonderful. I'm so happy to be able to learn about your family and religious traditions but I'd be with you in the other room while the bris was performed.

A little Manischevitz is a good thing. I remember the days when it was the only wine we could buy at the store. Well, that and those big jugs of Italian wine in raffia wrapped bottles.

- Suzanne

Christy said...

The Jewish religion has such beautifully meaning traditions! I'm glad everything went well...I love Grady's Hebrew names as well. :)

3 Peas in a Pod said...

Ouch!! Poor little guy. I wouldn't be able to watch either.

Um I've been trying for 2 1/2 YEARS to get a good family picture. How the heck did you do that on your first try????? What a beautiful family photo it is too. You all look awesome and so happy which is THE BEST!! You don't even look like you just had a baby Jill. What's up with that!?!? LOL I know you have a wedding in a few weeks and you're trying to lose weight but you look AMAZING already!!! Hopefully you feel as great as you look.

Thanks for sharing the story and the pics.

Much love from NJ,
Sue
xoxo

Hadley Happenings said...

What a BEAUTIFUL family photo!

Heidi said...

Mazel Tov!

Thanks for explaining it all. I know it sounds a bit 'under a rock' of me, but I didn't know exactly what went on at a Bris. So thanks. SOOO glad his proceedure went well. OUCH! And your family just looks beautiful.

Marla said...

thank you for sharing this story...like heidi it's great to learn more...

Crystal said...

Congrats on the arrival of Grady, what a blessing to you all! Your family is just beautiful!!

My sons, who were adopted from Africa and came home at 7 mos. and 20 mos. respectively were circumcised soon after their arrival in America. I am RN in my previous life who had dealt with many circucisions before, but I cried about their painful pee-pees. You are right the dressing changes are the worst, OUCH!

Thank you for sharing your traditions and ceromonies with us, it is neat to peek into your world! God Bless you all~

Mom24 said...

I love the family picture! It's great. All 5 of you are smiling. :-)

He really is too cute, and I can't believe how grown up the girls are looking. Those smocked dresses are too cute.

I'm glad it went well, what a wonderful day.

Amy Amy Bo Bamey said...

Jill you look GREAT! That is a Beautiful family photo. Everyone looks so happy, even Grady, maybe that was before the snip. I imagine he was not too happy after.

Alison said...

Glad it went well. I had no problems having my son circumcised but I didn't want to see the procedure.

Gorgeous family photo!

Ashley said...

I love the family photo...

And, that's the one thing about having a baby boy that I think would make me a bit uncomfy after having 2 girls...oww

Jen said...

I love the family picture! Beautiful

anymommy said...

Mazel Tov. The picture of your family is gorgeous!

Kelly said...

Mazel Tov! I am happy you posted about this....I was wondering if you would...I didn't know much about the tradition of the bris.
I know what you mean about the "carnage" that their little pee-pee looks like right after....yikes!!! I was scared to change Jack's diaper for 2 weeks after!

Love, Love, Love the family picture!

Shannon said...

Oh, no way could I have watched!

What a beautiful, happy family :)

Blog Designed by: NW Designs