The Ceremony

The Throne of Elijah

Rabbi Howard Glantz

From a simple folding chair to the most ornate, a chair is used for the sandek to sit and hold baby on a pillow at every bris. Rabbi Glantz brings a pillowcase to nearly every ceremony to adorn the Throne of Elijah.

The pillow Rabbi Glantz brings to the bris — embroidered with זה הקטן גדול יהיה (this small one will become great) and בסימן טוב בן בא לנו (with a good sign, a son has come to us) — The pillow Rabbi Glantz brings — *זה הקטן גדול יהיה* ("this small one will become great") and *בסימן טוב בן בא לנו* ("with a good sign, a son has come to us").

Similar to Elijah's cup on the Passover seder table — כּוֹס שֶל אֵלִיָהוּ (kos shel Eliyahu) — some families also set aside a separate chair, one that no one sits on, reserved for Elijah the Prophet.

In the Book of Kings, Elijah is known as the angel of the covenant. As such, Elijah is thought to be present at every bris, seated to the right of the sandek.

Chairs Families Have Used

Any chair can be decorated however one chooses. Some families have older siblings help decorate the chair as a special project — a wonderful way to involve them. Many synagogues use ornate chairs for this holy act. Below are some of the chairs Rabbi Glantz has officiated bris ceremonies with.

Chair decorated by older siblings with colored ribbons and flower fabric

Wooden synagogue Throne of Elijah with royal-blue cushion and Hebrew inscription

Synagogue bench with red velvet cushions used as the Throne of Elijah

Carved wooden royal throne chair with built-in step

High-back wooden chair with painted symbols and a green cushion

A simple chair set aside as the Throne of Elijah

For ideas on how older siblings can help prepare the chair (and other ways to involve them in the bris), see Ideas for Older Siblings.

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