The Real Deal - Brit Milah

due to the availability of a Mohel or lack-there-of, we had to do the actual circumcision and ceremony separate from the ceremony and naming. Dr. James (who happens to also be my OBGYN), is a certified reform mohel. his father actually started the reform mohel movement and he also happened to perform Asher's brit milah 3 years ago. not only did he do a fabulous job, but his bed side manner was so amazing i decided to switch to him as my obgyn....and frankly have never regretted that decision. he is fabulous. i would actually probably tell you he is the very best doctor i have ever seen. but this post isnt about him or how wonderful he is....the bottom line is, if we werent going to be able to do the naming and circumcision at once i was going to wait for dr. james to get home from the mountains later that day so that i could be sure i was comfortable with who was performing this procedure on my son.

only immediate family was present at our home at the time dr. james arrived.

6 pm and we were ready.

i actually watched this time around and found it particularly interesting. 

every mohel does it differently however dr. james performed the procedure just like a surgical procedure. 

you can see we were all gathering to observe the mitzvah...by the look on my face i can tell i was whincing...but watching...

he strapped mayers legs to this pillow that he brings with him and he gave him a local anesthetic to numb it so that he wouldnt feel much other than tugging. we also gave him several fingers dipped in wine to calm him and relax him (this is traditional in the jewish ceremony)

for extra love and support everyone held his hands/head to let him know we were there for him

all done!

dr. james, the rockstar mohel

after the ceremony and procedure were complete, asher said the hamotzi over the challah, asher was playing with his cousin brittan during the actual circumcision as we didn't want to traumatize him!

gave mayer a good job kiss  

the whole gang at the bris

i even jazzed up the table so that it didnt feel so sterile

dr. james' special bag that he brings with him to all brit milah's

and what jewish celebration or ceremony is without food....

we all joined together and had a festive meal as we celebrated mayer

 philip and i both agreed that we much prefered seperateing the two parts (naming and circumcision) vs doing it all at once with everyone present. b'sheret... it was meant to be.