the ninth, or tenth, or eleventh, or even to the twelfth day. Should the child be born between the Jewish Sabbath and the following day, so that it could not be determined upon which of the two days it was born, the circumcision cannot be performed on the next Sabbath, the eighth day, but must be deferred until the ninth. Should it be born between the Sabbath and the preceding day, so as to be doubtful to which it belonged, it must be deferred until the tenth day-because, if done the next day previous to the Sabbath, it may be the seventh, which is not allowed; and no doubtful circumcision is sanctioned on Sabbath, as it involves servile work. Should this tenth day be a feast, which is kept like the Sabbath, the circumcision must be postponed until the eleventh day. Or, lastly, should it be the feast of the beginning of the year, which is observed for two days, the circumcision is deferred until the twelfth day. These exceptions, however, seldom occur. But should symptoms of ill health appear, the circumcision is deferred until medical opinion has pronounced the child to be sound.

The first thing to be done is to chose Sandakin (pID) something similar to a godfather and godmother in the Christian world. The Sandakin, however, undertake no future responsibilities towards the child-all their duties are over on the day of circumcision. They are generally husband and wife, and selected from among the relations or immediate friends of the parents. As it is an honourable and meritorious thing to act as Sandakin, it is not difficult for the poorest parents to obtain them. But, should such prove to be the case, there are societies expressly for that purpose, so that the parents have only

to communicate with the secretary, and Sandakin are immediately procured.

The parents must also give the child a name, that it might be mentioned at its circumcision. It must be a Hebrew name, and, generally, one adopted in the family, or that of some celebrated man. This is a sacred name; and is always made use of in connexion with religion. He may have another name-a common one; by giving a Gentile turn to his Hebrew one; or by adopting a Gentile name altogether. For example: his Hebrew name may be Moshe, and his common name Moses or Philip. Whenever he is named in the Synagogue, or elsewhere connected with any religious duty, he is called by his Hebrew name; but in all other affairs he is called by his common name.

Before the eighth day a Mohel (n), or circumciser must be engaged. If the father happen to be one, he is bound to circumcise his own child. On the Friday evening before the circumcision, it is announced in the Synagogue, that to A., son of B., a son is born; and after the service, a few friends are entertained at the parents' house with fruit and wine, known by the name of Zachar

(75) i. e. male. When the time for performing the ceremony is arrived, all things are ready in the appointed place. This ought to be the Synagogue; but if the parents live at a distance from the Synagogue to which they belong, or if the weather be inclement, they have it done at home. There must be present a Minyan, among whom are the Chazan and Secretary of the Synagogue. The Mohel also is ready, with his knife, lint, plasters, &c. These are given to a relative of the child to hold during the operation, by way of compli

ment, as it is deemed a meritorious thing to assist in the work. Two other persons hold each a glass of wine in readiness for the Mohel. The child is brought to the door of the Synagogue by the godmother, and there is received by the godfather. As he carries the child towards the congregation, they say—“ Blessed is he that cometh." In the middle is a large chair, with two seats-one for the godfather, the other to be left vacant -it is the seat of Elijah the prophet, who is called the "angel of the covenant;" and who, it is believed, is present to witness the ceremony, although invisible. The godfather being seated, and the child placed on a cushion on his lap, the Mohel lays hold of the fore-skin, and secures it in a silver instrument, to keep it separate from the sinewy part of the member, and that it may not slip from him during the operation. All now being ready, the Mohel pronounces the following blessing— "Blessed art thou, O Lord, our God, King of the universe, who hast sanctified us with thy commandments, and commanded us circumcision"-when he immediately cuts off the foreskin close to the instrument, and rends the remainder with his nails, until the glands are laid bare. Without this rending the ceremony would have no value. Then the father of the child says the following blessing" Blessed art thou, O Lord, our God, King of the universe, who hast sanctified us with thy commandments, and commanded us to enter into the covenant of our father Abraham." To this the congregation present answer, "As he hath entered into the covenant, so may he enter into the Law, the canopy, and good deeds." He then, with the greatest dispatch, takes the wounded part unto his mouth, sucks the blood

repeatedly, rinsing his mouth each time with the wine in one of the aforesaid glasses, applies to it lint and plaster. When properly bound up with bandages, the godfather leaves the chair, and, holding the child in his arms, the Mohel says as follows-" Blessed art thou, O Lord, our God, King of the universe, the Creator of the fruit of the vine. Blessed art thou O Lord, our God, who hast sanctified his beloved from the womb, and ordained an ordinance for his kindred, and sealed his descendants with the mark of the holy covenant: therfore, for the merits of this, O living God, our rock and inheritance, command the deliverance of the beloved of our kindred from the pit, for the covenant which he hath put in our flesh. thou, O Lord, the maker of the covenant.

son of

sake of the

Blessed art
Our God,

and the God of our Fathers, preserve this child to his father and mother; and his name shall be called in Israel Let his father rejoice in those that go forth from his loins; and let his mother be glad in the fruit of her womb: as it is written, 'thy father and thy mother shall rejoice, and they that begat thee shall be glad.' And it is further said,‘and I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thy blood, and I said unto thee in thy blood thou shalt live.' And it is said, 'he hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he hath commanded to a thousand generations; even the covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; and he hath confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an ever'and Abraham cir

lasting covenant.' And it is said,

cumcised his son Isaac, being eight days old, as God

* i. e. Abraham.

commanded him.' O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. A. B., this little one, may he live to be great; and as he hath entered into the covenant, so may he enter into the Law, and the canopy,* and good works." Whilst rehearsing this blessing the Mohel, at intervals, dips his little finger three several times in the second glass of wine, and afterwards puts it into the child's mouth, uttering certain words in allusion to the child's long life.

The ceremony being carried on thus far, the father, according to his circumstances, makes an offering of money to the poor. The Mohel, the Sandak, and the friends of the parties, make similar offerings.

All being over, the godfather returns the child to the godmother, who, as no females are allowed to enter the Synagogue or the apartment where the ceremony is performed, is standing during this time at the door; and, after congratulating the father, he entertains the party with a breakfast. A certain fee is generally paid to the Mohel, and also to the Chazan and Clerk of the Synagogue.

The importance attached to circumcision is so great that if a child die before the eighth day he is circumcised upon when dead-not in the regular way-nor are the prayers and blessings repeated; but the organ is operated upon with a piece of glass. It is also generally believed that a Mohel who has circumcised as many children as the numerical value of the letters of his name amount to, is thereby entitled to a peculiar state of felicity in the world to come.

* Bar Mitsvah and marriage, as hereafter explained.