The Throne of Elijah
In short: At every bris, a chair — from a simple folding chair to the most ornate — is used for the sandek to sit and hold the baby on a pillow. It is called the Throne of Elijah because Elijah the Prophet, known in the Book of Kings as the angel of the covenant, is thought to be present at every bris, seated to the right of the sandek.
What is the Throne of Elijah?
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 — an embroidered case bearing the words 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.
Why is Elijah present at every bris?
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.
What chairs have families 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.
Among the chairs Rabbi Glantz has officiated bris ceremonies with:
- A chair decorated by older siblings with colored ribbons and flower fabric
- A wooden synagogue Throne of Elijah with a royal-blue cushion and Hebrew inscription
- A synagogue bench with red velvet cushions
- A carved wooden royal throne chair with a built-in step
- A high-back wooden chair with painted symbols and a green cushion
- A simple folding chair set aside for the occasion
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.