Brit rechitzah

Brit rechitzah (covenant of washing) is an alternative ceremony to brit milah performed by progressive Jews who are opposed to circumcision as a blood ritual. It is often a part of the liturgy of ceremonies such as brit shalom (Hebrew: covenant of peace) or brit bli milah (Hebrew: covenant without cutting). Those who perform it include rabbis in the Reform, Conservative, Renewal, and Reconstructionist movements of Judaism.

Rechitzah involves the washing of the baby's feet and has its origins in an account in Genesis where Abraham washes the feet of angels who appear as strangers to visit him. This is thought of as a way of welcoming a Jewish boy into the faith in a peaceful way.[1]

Moshe Rothenberg has developed a liturgy that includes brit rechitzah, and has popularized this Jewish welcoming ritual.[2]

References
  1. Reiss, Mark David, M.D. "Brit Shalom Celebrant List". www.jweekly.com. J. The Jewish News of Northern California. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  2. "Brit Shalom Celebrants". circumstitions.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014.
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