What's A Bris?

Today, we had the joy of attending Jordan Barrett's bris. He was born 3 1/2 weeks early -- and that's a story unto itself -- but he is perfectly healthy and adorable. His parents are having a great time with him, except for the lack of sleeping thing, and his older sister and brother are enjoying the new addition, too.

On our way home from the bris, Little Miss asked to call Grandma. I discovered she wanted to tell Grandma all about the bris, since Grandma has never been to one before.

So first the baby was hot, so they took off the bottom part of his pjs. Then he cried, so everyone sang a song, and then he was happy. Oh, and I got a lollipop! It was butterscotch!

Yes, that's the bris through Little Miss's eyes.

In actuality, the bris is a celebration (correct me when I start to go wrong Melisa!) of a baby boy inviting the prophet Elijah to join them, as he is an honored guest. He is circumcised at eight days old to signify his bond with God.

Soo, yep, they take off his pj bottoms, but only because they need to get to the surgical area, not because he was cold.

And ummm yes, he cried, but that was partly at the pain (and he HARDLY cried at all -- quickest and least painful circumcision I've ever been witness to) and partly because he was half undressed. A song was song, but it is the celebration of the mitzvah and not to calm the child. I don't know the song, as we aren't Jewish, but Little Miss also enjoyed it.

After the bris, we were invited to the meal, and there was little that Little Miss could definitively eat (it was catered, so she was stuck with the fruit, lox and tomatoes). After all the kids finished eating, they ran in the hallway to play. The older sister attended preschool at the temple, so she led all the kids to the office where they purloined (or were given) lollipops.

In this case though, I didn't see the need to correct Little Miss. I rather liked her version of the bris!