Birth and Childhood
f i v e  o b j e c t s

From the day of birth to the time of death, the Jew marks each event of the cycle by blessings and ritual, all of which are enhanced by the use of special artifacts and costuming.  Superstition and conjuring are particularly forbidden by the rabbis.  Even so, the popular usage of amulets and good luck pieces within many communities of Jews is undeniable.  Elaborate and simple charms were fashioned for keeping Lilith (according to Talmudic legend, Adam’s first wife) from harming from the child-birthing bed.  Scribes earned extra money by creating blessing parchments on the occasion of a birth.

            According to halahkah (law), it is a mandatory rite dating from the time of Abraham to circumcise every male on the eighth day following birth.  This is a symbol of the covenant with God of the promise made that “Abraham’s seed will inherit the land of Canaan.”  Failure to observe this commandment is to be banned from the community.  This covenant has been observed throughout Jewish history even under penalty of death.  It is a Jewish father’s duty to have his son circumcised.  The ceremony may be performed by any Jew (including women, if no man is available). It is desirable that the circumcision be performed by a mohel using a lyre-shaped shield, a two-edged knife, and a flask for styptic powder.  The ceremony is held either in the synagogue or in the home, according to the community custom.  Some synagogues have an elaborate chair, called “Chair of Elijah,” on which the sandak (holder) sits as he holds the pillow on which the male infant in placed.  It is said that the Prophet Elijah is present at all circumcisions and that “as soon as a male comes into the world peace comes into the world.”  Elijah is God’s messenger who will herald the Age of Peace; hence his presence at this joyous time.  In Ashkenazi communities, the cloth used to swaddle the boy is cut and sewn into a Torah binder to be used again at the time of his Bar Mitzvah.  On this occasion some families provide a circumcision dress that is often used by many babies of the different generations.  There is a record of lovely baby bonnets worn as well.
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            On the thirty-first day after the birth of a first-born son of a non-priestly family, the Pidyon Haben (Redemption of the First Son) takes place in the presence of a Kohen, who is a representative of the priesthood, and invited guests.  The baby is presented and the father is asked, according to an ancient Aramaic formula, whether he wishes to redeem the child or leave him to the Kohen.  The father then expresses the desire to keep the son and hands the redemption money to the Kohen while reciting the appropriate benedictions.  This is purely symbolic.  The coins used in America are usually silver dollars, while in Israel the state licenses a company to produce a set of beautiful silver commemorative coins.  The number of coins is always five, whether the family be rich or poor.