One of the first commandments given to the Jewish People was that of Brit Milah, or circumcision. According to the Torah, Abraham was 99 years old when G-d appeared to him and gave him this very important mitzvah, which is powerfully associated with Jewish identity. He was then commanded to circumcise his son, Isaac, eight days after birth, which is the basis for the practice of circumcising male Jewish infants at eight days.
Not all Jewish boys undergo brit milah on the eighth day; if there is a medical problem which needs immediate attention, the circumcision must be delayed. However, not even Shabbat or Yom Kippur is a reason to put off a brit milah (I attended a brit for a friend’s baby on Yom Kippur, and it was quite special). The injunction to perform a commandment at the earliest possible time is especially true of this mitzvah, which brings a male baby into the Jewish covenant.
The circumcision is performed by a mohel, who requires great skill and precision to perform this mitzvah. The circumcision should completely remove the foreskin, and yet, should cause the infant as little pain as possible. The mohel should ensure that his instruments are sufficiently sharp and that he performs the procedure quickly and efficiently.
Honors are given to certain people at a brit; the sandek, usually the grandfather, is given the privilege of holding the baby during the circumcision. The person who brings the baby from the mother to the mohel is called a “kvater” and this is also a special honor. It is said that those who attend a brit have all of their sins forgiven, and it is a great privilege to attend a brit. It is also said that Elijah the prophet attends every child’s brit, and there is usually a special chair set aside for him in the corner of the room.