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berit

berit

9.9
A Jewish religious ceremony where a baby boy is circumcised, usually on the eighth day
  • noun
  • /bɛˈrit/
translation icon : berit
  • Traditionally, a berit is performed on the eighth day after a male child's birth, symbolizing his entry into the Jewish community.

Examples

  • During the berit, the rabbi recited prayers while the baby's parents watched with joy.

  • - Berit, who's in charge...

  • A covenant (berit) was a binding agreement between two parties, which resulted in a new relationship.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Eatough, Matthew. "Planning the Future: Scenario Planning, Infrastructural Time, and South African Fiction." MFS 61.4 (2015): 690-714. Ellingsen, Berit. Not Dark Yet. Columbus, OH

    Academic text (2018)
  • The family gathered to celebrate the berit of their newborn son, marking an important religious tradition.

Synonyms

circumcision
vsberit
  • Specialized
73 7.3

Removal of the skin covering the tip of the penis for religious, cultural, or medical reasons

is the specific religious ceremony rather than the general surgical procedure
bris
vsberit
9 9.5

A Jewish religious ceremony to circumcise a baby boy, usually on the eighth day after birth

is the same ceremony but the name appears in variant spelling
Brith
vsberit
1 9.3

A Jewish religious ceremony that circumcises a baby boy, usually on the eighth day

is the same ceremony but uses an alternative form of the name
briss
vsberit
1 9.9

A Jewish ceremony where a baby boy is circumcised on the eighth day after birth

is the same ceremony but expressed with a different name
Berith
vsberit
9.9

A Jewish ceremony to circumcise a baby boy on his eighth day

is the same ceremony but includes an alternate traditional name

Surface Forms

berit singular
berits plural

Etymology

Berit comes from the Hebrew word brit, which means 'covenant' or 'promise'. The circumcision ceremony is a sign of that covenant, so calling the ceremony a berit ties the ritual to the idea of a special promise between God and the child.