Friday, July 3, 2009

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!

15 comments:

MaBunny July 4, 2009 at 12:29 PM  

HAHA, very cute Michelle. I've never attended one of those - it would be interesting to see.

septembermom July 4, 2009 at 3:54 PM  

Little Miss is a good reporter on top of the bris story!! I like her version too. Glad that the baby got through it o.k. I've never been to one of those.

Anonymous July 4, 2009 at 8:58 PM  

I like her version also. I've never been in a bris either but honestly I would decline if I ever get invited to one. A bris is public surgery, circumcision is genital cutting. I have an intact son and nothing in the world would make me watch such thing :-( if you happen to tell 'little miss' about what really happened to that baby I would bet she will ask why did they do that? (with shock)

Pop and Ice July 4, 2009 at 9:53 PM  

Moral of the story: Don't take off your PJ bottoms when you're hot and horrid surgical procedures won't take place. When you're a little person, anyway.

Angela July 5, 2009 at 8:34 AM  

I've never been to a bris either. I like Little Miss's version best! LOL

Cookie July 5, 2009 at 7:26 PM  

Very cute that he was hot!

Karen July 6, 2009 at 7:29 AM  

It's just a good thing Little Mister didn't know what was going on. He may never take his pants off again.

Heather July 6, 2009 at 11:58 AM  

I wonder what she would have said if she knew what was going on!?

Aunt Julie July 6, 2009 at 12:46 PM  

Well-said! Did you ever see the "Bris" episode on Seinfeld? I think Little Miss would fit right in! Listen, I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Aunt Julie, Veggie Mom's SIL. Veggie is retiring today as the proprietress at Eat Your Veggies! today, and I'm stepping in. I realize I have really BIG shoes to fill, but I'm up to the challenge. Please come by and wish Veggie a fond farewell on her last post. Look forward to seeing you over at my new place!

Hyacynth July 6, 2009 at 5:46 PM  

I like Little Miss' version of the Bris better than the actual event because I would have such a hard time witnessing the circumcision. Though it sounds like the little guy took it pretty well considering.

MaBunny July 6, 2009 at 8:53 PM  

Yes Michelle, I know I copied the true/false idea from you, but I did give you the shout out linky ! It was a cool idea and there are 4 trues and 6 false. I had a hard time coming up with some - I definitely won't try this again anytime soon, lol!

Michelle July 6, 2009 at 9:37 PM  

MaBunny - Ohhh, it's not really there to SEE per se but more to stand up with the family in a celebration. You don't ever really see anything, fortunately! And I was just giving you a hard time -- no worries!

septembermom - Yeah, she's definitely going to provide her view. I wonder where she gets it from ;)

Anonymous - You don't watch the actual circumcision, and if she did ask what happened to the baby, I would have no issues explaining what and why -- and how at eight days the never endings aren't fully formed and that it's part of a covenant with God. We aren't Jewish, but it's something that I respect as part of their culture. The good news is that you never get invited to a bris, as it's poor form to turn down an event where the prophet Elijah is in attendance, so the bris is announced to friends and family vs being specifically invited. I do understand your reluctance, however. To me, it's about celebrating the new member of a dear friend's family and standing with them.

Carol Lynn - Hmmm, maybe that will help Mister Man keep his pjs on this summer! I'll have to give that a shot.

Angela - It is a pretty good version, isn't it?

Cookie - Hey, everything has a reason. We just don't always know what the reason is, apparently.

Karen - That may not be the worst thing in the world. Fortunately, when they chose seats, they chose the furthest seats away possible -- and not intentionally!

Heather - She would have had questions. The wee ones are both always full of questions! And fortunately, I don't have issues answering them.

Aunt Julie - Sadly, I'm one of the few people who ummm never really got into Seinfeld. I'll have to ask my parents and husand about it though.

Hyacynth - The witnessing is purely peripheral. And he was a champ. I forget how tiny babies are!

Melisa Wells July 7, 2009 at 7:22 AM  

I have to laugh because we Jews will eat after ANYTHING. haha

I actually just had my boys circumsized in the hospital by their pediatrician the day after they were born because we didn't belong to a temple back then and I didn't care to deal with it. The idea of a public bris even creeps ME out a little bit, but it is all about tradition, so if I were invited to one I would be honored.

Unknown July 7, 2009 at 3:39 PM  

I think it's awesome that Little Miss eats lox!

Michelle July 7, 2009 at 10:02 PM  

Melisa - Now now, so will the Episcopals! We looooove to eat. And drink. See, religion -- the great binder :)

Megryansmom - Would you believe me if I told you that garlic sauteed spinach is her current favorite food?

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