Had a Girl? Mazel Tov! Welcoming Daughters with a Brit Habat

It's a girl?! Congratulations!

If you want to confer the rite of passage on your brand-new daughter, you want a brit habat — a baby naming — which allows you to plan almost any appropriate ceremony you prefer. You are not locked into eight days after birth, but can schedule a time most convenient for family and friends (not to mention mother and daughter). This can take place at home or at a synagogue (usually only during a Torah service).

What the Ceremony Looks Like

A number of candles may be lit in baby's honor — remembering the generations that have gone before, relatives you hope are looking down and being happy that Jewish tradition continues in the family. These can include accompanying readings, or be simply done in silence.

Rabbi Glantz often brings his guitar to baby namings and offers a song that welcomes and blesses her. He engages everyone present by encouraging them to sing familiar songs along with him and to repeat some of the prayers phrase by phrase.

The Order of Things

The infant is greeted with brucha haba'a — "Blessed is she who enters." Prayers and readings follow, and then the kiddush is chanted over wine. At that point, the baby's name is announced and explained.

More prayers and readings may follow. Rabbi Glantz will encourage you to have some words prepared about the names you've chosen and why, thanking the people who came to share the day, and anything else from the heart you'd like to say.

And Then — the Party

Finally, we come to the celebratory meal — the s'eudat mitzvah — which is just as appropriate for daughters as it is for sons. Welcome her in joy.

To start the conversation, reach out to Rabbi Glantz at 215-439-5033 and we'll plan the day together.