Question: I am in the process of adopting a child internationally. The child will be a newborn. It will take approximately four to six weeks to leave the country with paperwork. Is it OK to postpone the bris until I am back in my home community?
First of all, congratulations on your upcoming adoption.
In Jewish law, a circumcision, or brit milah, is traditionally performed on the eighth day after a male child’s birth, a timeline mandated by the Torah. In Genesis, God establishes circumcision as a sign of the eternal covenant between God and the descendants of Abraham. The text says explicitly: “And throughout the generations, every male among you shall be circumcised at the age of eight days.” (Genesis 17:12)
Given the explicit injunction in the Torah, there is a strong preference to conduct a brit milah on the eighth day of life unless there is a clear medical reason to delay. Even in such a case, you can always plan a Jewish welcoming and naming ceremony for your baby when you return home so you can celebrate the child with your home community.
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However, if the adopted child is born to a non-Jewish mother, there is no obligation to perform a brit milah on the eighth day. When a non-Jewish baby is adopted and later converted to Judaism, the brit milah is performed at the time of the conversion, in conjunction with immersion in a mikveh. If that is the case with your adopted son, there’s no religious reason why a delay of several weeks is inappropriate. But if the delay until conversion lasts for a few months, it’s possible that traditional circumcision methods may no longer be appropriate, so it is worth consulting with an expert for medical advice.
Rabbi Danielle Upbin is the associate rabbi and prayer leader at Congregation Beth Shalom in Clearwater, Florida.
