Hatafas dam bris
For a man or boy who was circumcised, but not as a brit. A brief procedure that brings it under the covenant.
What it is
Where a circumcision has already been done but not as a brit — most often in hospital, sometimes abroad, sometimes years ago — a symbolic drop of blood is taken to bring it under the covenant. This is hatafas dam bris (also written hatafat dam brit).
It is a brief procedure, and for most people a far smaller matter than they feared before they called.
When it is needed
- A boy circumcised in hospital, without a bris
- A man circumcised as a baby for medical reasons
- A man completing a conversion, where the beis din requires it — see brit milah for conversion
Not sure which applies to you? You do not need to work it out first. Tell me what happened and when, and I will tell you. You can also read not sure your circumcision was done properly?
How it is arranged
We speak first, privately. If a beis din is involved, I coordinate with them. Because it is not tied to a particular day, we choose a time that suits you, and it is done with the same care and discretion as any brit.
I travel across the United States and internationally.
Short answers
What is hatafas dam bris?
A symbolic drop of blood taken where a circumcision has already been done, but not as a brit. It brings the circumcision under the covenant.
Who needs it?
Most often: a boy circumcised in hospital without a bris, a man circumcised as a baby for medical reasons, and a man completing a conversion when his beis din requires it.
Is it painful?
It is a brief procedure, and for most people a far smaller matter than they feared. I will tell you exactly what it involves before we arrange anything.
Do you work with a beis din?
Yes. Where a beis din is involved, I coordinate with them directly.
How soon can it be done?
Unlike an eighth-day bris, it is not bound to a date, so we can schedule it around you.
Ask, even if you are not sure it applies.
Tell me what happened and when. It costs nothing to find out.