Hawaiian Brit Milah

It has been a while since I've written.  I am currently in Hawaii meeting my newest grandchild, Liev Ruh Sanoon, the son of Becca and Sanoon.  When I heard of the birth of this new little boy, I immediately went into high gear thinking about having his brit milah ceremony in his parents' apartment in Wailuku.  Fortunately we were able to find a mohel who was willing to fly here from L.A. to perform the brit, Rabbi Shalom Denbo.

New parents are understandably nervous when it comes time to think about having their child circumcized and entered into the covenant of Abraham.  Birthing an infant is an emotional journey, but as was seen here in Hawaii, sharing that journey with a community makes it all the more joyful.  Rabbi Denbo, only works as a mohel and put the new parents at ease very quickly.  His expertise and training were evident when the procedure was over in the blink of an eye!  What was equally important, however, was the spiritual nature of the brit milah.  From the lighting of the candles on the table at the beginning of the ceremony to giving Liev his Hebrew name (Yehudah Lev Yerucham Ben Rivka Chana) the ceremony involved every family member who was present.   Another lovely aspect of this gathering was having the three Rabbis who were present say the priestly benediction over little Liev.

When I think about the sacred nature of having a brit milah, the tie one feels to thousands of years of Jewish tradition, and the sense of holiness that fills the space during the ceremony, I am thankful that even in a small apartment on an island 3700 miles away from Lincoln that we were able to provide my 7th grandchild with a spiritual and meaningful ceremony to welcome him into the Covenant of Abraham.