Anyone out there made a bris recently? If yes, first of all mazel tov, and secondly, I’d like to ask you a question: Did you understand all that was taking place at the bris? Don’t worry; you don’t have to respond, and I’ll never know if you did or not! But seriously, so many fascinating minhagim take place at a bris—minhagim that we all know about, but rarely know the reason behind them. For example, did you know that the reason the honor of kvatterin is given to a husband and wife is based on the idea that bris milah is compared to marriage, because through the milah the baby is betrothed to Hashem? And that one of the reasons why the bris milah takes place on the eighth day is because right before the baby is born, an angel taps him on the mouth and causes him to forget all the Torah he has learned inside the womb, so there first is a seven-day mourning period because of all this forgotten Torah?
In Bris Secrets, you will find all of this information—and much, much more. From the common minhagim to the unusual ones, be they the customs of Ashkenazim, Sephardim, or Chassidim, you will find all the what’s and why’s of a bris milah in this handsome book. Also included is a section on the birth of a baby girl, which is comprised of the various customs pertaining to naming a baby girl and the celebration of a kiddush, as well as the reasons behind these customs.
So whether or not you already made a bris, have one coming up, or are just curious about the in’s and out’s of this special mitzvah, be sure to check out Bris Secrets! Also makes a great gift for your relatives and friends who are making a bris or a kiddush!