Jewish DUers: I have an etiquette question

[WilliamPitt]

I am invited to a bris on Sunday, and I am wondering if I am supposed to bring a gift, flowers, food, or nothing at all. Any data would be appreciated.

[Paragon]

1. In the words of Al Franken...

Oy...

Oy-yoy-yoy-yoy-yoy...

:silly:

[Solly Mack]

2. a gift is good

I grew up within a Jewish community..(my step-father is Jewish.)

Some specialty shops make gifts especially for baby-naming/Bris ceremonies.

Here: you can't go wrong with this - it's Kiddush cup for boys (newborn)

http://www.allthingsjewish.com/storefront/proddetail.asp?authID=1085835909&pid=7680

[pagerbear]

3. Don't bring pigs in a blanket!

[Eye and Monkey]

10. Remember the "mohel", the circumcisionist. He works on tips.

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. A small gift, as one would bring to any party to which one was invited

bottle of wine, or a toy for the boy, flowers for the mother.

Or, if you're totally into asshole evangelistic Shrub worhsip, you could bring a New Testament a vial of Holy Water with which to baptise, but, thank God, I know you're not an asshole.

Mothers, at brisses (or in Hebrew, brissi(y)m, I would imagine) tend to be pretty emotional since theuir baby boys are being "hurt", so - and I'm talking without any real knowledge now - something for the mother to help her through the experience could be helpful.

I've just taken a bottle of wine, since that's a safe gift for any occasion in which the recipients do, indeed, drink wine. It's special, it's cheap, it's appropriate for everything, it's celebratory. It's wine! Like "Log", it's better than bad - it's good!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

16. I was gonna post and came back to read yours,...was gonna say

when my ex had her son's bris, I jokingly brought her a blindfold...it was a hit.

[Rabrrrrrr]

17. LOL! Yes, that could be helpful!

Or, perhaps, some more pillows... :evilgrin:

I'll always remember, at the bris of one of my boss' son, the mother - a woman I think the world of, and always thought of as very seriously Jewish and wonderful - but at the bris, she was really upset.

I can only thank God that her son, at the circumcision, didn't cry at all. I don't know she would have reacted to the pain.

And that's not to point to her as being wrong in any way - it's only to say that, for me, it was a learning experience that I, as a guy with no problems about cirumcision, needed to learn firthand. I still support circumcision for anyone who wants, even those who decide on behalf of their sons, but it was an important lesson for me that, even in the Jewish tradition, it's an emotional time for the mothers in a way which I had never considered.

and on a p.s. note - that was kind of a cool bris, because not only was it full of Jewish people, family of the boy being circumcised, but it was also attended by my other boss, a Greek Orthodox Christian (from Greece) and his wife, a US protestant type, and myself and my partner, both protestant clergy. Kinda cool!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

20. And whatever you do...don't bring a caffienated drink for the mohel

prior to the bris :scared:

[aquart]

5. Where do you go that you don't bring a gift?

I'm almost kidding.

The image to keep in mind is Woody Allen at El Presidente's palace, carrying a bakery box by the string.

For a baby, you bring something with a little more future.

[JohnLocke]

6. Hmm.

It's a joyful time, so usually a gift would be appreciated. Depending on how friendly you are with the couple involved, a small or moderate gift is probably expected. Unless they specifically asked you not to, of course.
Baby clothes or food is always good. Or maybe some wine.

[madmax]

7. I did a google search

Guess it's somewhat like the Christian Christening (without the snipping).... A gift or money sounds appropriate to me. :)

http://store.yahoo.com/ejudaica/new-baby.html

http://www.agoodcompany.com/Baby-Names-Meaning-Of-Names/Jewish-Bris-Mila.html

[Submariner]

8. MOD: Please Shutdown this Thread

and move it over to a new category like;

General Discussion - "Posts about chopping off the end of your dick and vasectomies."

That way I won't have to see the word "BRIS" and instantly break into a cold sweat, get all goose-pimpled, and feel light-headed.

I HATE THAT WHEN THAT HAPPENS!

So please have some sensitivity in the future. I happen to be very squemish about the thought of sharp instruments flailing around near my package.

[SOteric]

11. Cool. Don't convert.

:hi:

Could I interest you in a cocktail weenie?

[pagerbear]

12. Oh, are you the lucky boy?

[Rabrrrrrr]

13. Oh, Christ, put it on ignore

and yes, I understand the irony of that statement.

For one faith, a very large significant faith, the bris is essential. Just go with, and spare them your tirades.

You don't have to click on the thing.

And if you are so unstable that just SEEING something you hate sends you into cold chills, then I suggest you adapt yourself, because I don't know of anyone who is able to go through a day without seeing or experiencing something reprehensible to them.

i'm so glad someone felt the need to chime in with their opinion about the "barbarity" of a sacred ritual, practiced for thouisands of years, and essential to millions of people around the globe.

If you have an issue with it, take it up with the Orthodox, Reformed, and Conservative leadership within the Jewish faith, and when yu're done with them, take it up with the Hassidim, the Ashkenasi, and the rest of the Jewish sects.

[Submariner]

18. I guess I have to work on my sarcasm skills

I was joking.

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. LOL! You fooled three people at least!

Well done!

:hi:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

22. Mods please lock my tribute to Loreena Bobbit thread

;-)

[greatauntoftriplets]

9. I'd give whatever I'd give for a baptism.

To me, they are virtually the same.

[dweller]

14. "virtually.the.same"

given a choice, rather be holding my breath...

:o

dp

[greatauntoftriplets]

15. I mean...

...in terms of what one would give as a gift....

:P

OTOH, having that damn cold water dumped on you head ain't fun. And the Catholics do it to girls, as well.

[DemBones DemBones]

23. Infant baptism aka christening is not just a Catholic thing.

Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians all christen babies. Lutherans must, also, I'd think, and ditto Greek and other Orthodox rites.

Who does NOT go in for infant baptism? Baptists, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Disciples of Christ, etc. They all require you to be old enough to make your own baptismal vows, rather than having a parent or godparent do so. Personal accountability is a fine rationale, although those who christen babies believe baptism is necessary to save a person's soul, as Jesus himself said, and therefore shouldn't be put off until adolescence or even adulthood. Good arguments can be made for either position. On the other hand, Quakers don't practice baptism or have any other "external" sacraments, and there are good arguments for their view as well. It's a shame humans waste so much time and energy arguing which religion is "best" rather than simply keeping the traditions that work for them and letting others do the same.

[Unperson 309]

21. What Do You Call An Uncircumcised Jewish Baby?

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wait for it
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Don't say I didn't warn you
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A GIRL!

(heeheeheehee! GOTCHA!) :D

309

[mitchum]

24. Will, be careful about nibbling hors d'oeuvres...

you DON"T want to hear my bris story

[matcom]

25. Vienna Sausages

:)