brith milah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequency in general English; common within Jewish religious, cultural, and academic contexts.Formal, religious, cultural. Used in theological, anthropological, historical, and personal/familial contexts.
Quick answer
What does “brith milah” mean?
The Jewish religious ceremony of circumcising a male infant on the eighth day after his birth, marking his entry into the covenant with God.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The Jewish religious ceremony of circumcising a male infant on the eighth day after his birth, marking his entry into the covenant with God.
Beyond the physical act, it represents the foundational covenant between God and the Jewish people, a rite of initiation, and a profound commitment to Jewish identity and continuity. In broader discourse, it can symbolize tradition, continuity, and religious obligation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent. The Hebrew term is used universally in English-speaking Jewish communities.
Connotations
Carries identical religious, traditional, and covenantal connotations in both variants.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general English in both regions, but standard within specific community contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “brith milah” in a Sentence
The [family] scheduled the brit milah for [day/time].The [mohel] performed the brit milah on the [eighth day].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brith milah” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The family will brit milah their son next Tuesday.
- They decided to brit milah according to tradition.
American English
- They are planning to brit milah the baby next week.
- He was brit milahed in a hospital chapel.
adverb
British English
- The baby was welcomed brit milah, as is our custom.
- They celebrated quite brit milah, with all the prayers.
American English
- The procedure was done brit milah-style, with precision and prayer.
- He was entered into the covenant brit milah, on the eighth day.
adjective
British English
- The brit milah ceremony was deeply moving.
- He is a brit milah mohel with decades of experience.
American English
- The brit milah service was traditional and brief.
- They followed all the brit milah requirements.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in theological, historical, anthropological, and cultural studies texts discussing Judaism, rites of passage, or religious law.
Everyday
Used within Jewish families and communities when discussing the birth and religious initiation of a baby boy.
Technical
Used in Jewish legal (Halakhic) texts specifying the requirements, timing, and procedures for the ritual.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brith milah”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brith milah”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brith milah”
- Misspelling as 'brit millah' or 'brit mila'.
- Confusing it with a general medical circumcision.
- Incorrectly referring to it for a girl's baby-naming ceremony (which is a 'Simchat Bat' or 'Zeved Habat').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for immediate health reasons concerning the baby. Once the baby is healthy, it is performed as soon as possible.
A specially trained ritual circumciser called a 'mohel' (or 'mohelet' for a female). Some are also medically trained doctors.
No, it is observed by Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and many secular Jewish families, though the ceremony's format may vary.
The baby is brought in, blessings are recited, the circumcision is performed by the mohel, the baby is given his Hebrew name, and a festive meal (seudat mitzvah) follows.
The Jewish religious ceremony of circumcising a male infant on the eighth day after his birth, marking his entry into the covenant with God.
Brith milah is usually formal, religious, cultural. used in theological, anthropological, historical, and personal/familial contexts. in register.
Brith milah: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbriːt ˈmiːlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbrit ˈmilə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As certain as a brit milah on the eighth day.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'BRIT' as in 'covenant' (the meaning of the Hebrew word) and 'MILAH' as in 'circumcision'. It's the 'Covenant of Circumcision' on day eight.
Conceptual Metaphor
BRIT MILAH IS A SIGNED CONTRACT (the physical mark signifies the covenant). BRIT MILAH IS A DOORWAY (entering into the Jewish people).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary significance of the brit milah?