New Baby
Simchat Bat
Origins
Simchat Bat celebrations (also called Brit Bat) are barely a generation old. They are modeled after brit milah in that they provide a symbolic framework through which newborn baby girls are entered into the covenant of the Jewish people. There are many different simchat bat ceremonies: Foot washing, touching a Torah scroll, lighting candles, and being wrapped in a tallit are some that have become popular.
Simchat Bat celebrations (also called Brit Bat) are barely a generation old. They are modeled after brit milah in that they provide a symbolic framework through which newborn baby girls are entered into the covenant of the Jewish people. There are many different simchat bat ceremonies: Foot washing, touching a Torah scroll, lighting candles, and being wrapped in a tallit are some that have become popular.
If you are planning a Simchat Bat, you may want to visit ritualwell.org. There you’ll find beautiful readings, information and even complete ceremonies that you can download. Click below to visit their Simchat Bat page.
What to Expect
Because there are many different symbols and rituals that can be used in the context of a Simchat Bat celebration it is impossible to describe exactly what you can expect. Instead I’ve chosen to describe one of my favorite types of celebration: Candle lighting.
Once your friends and family are settled, the celebration begins with an introductory song such as “Hinei Mah Tov.” After a few words of welcome, the baby can be brought in to the room by a family member. Upon arrival all gathered should welcome her with the words: ברוכה הבאה B’rucha Ha’ba’a - May she who comes be blessed!
This may be followed by singing “Heyveynu Shalom Aleichem.” Like at a brit milah, here too we invoke the presence of the prophet Elijah. We do so by having a special chair set aside as “Elijah’s Chair” and setting the baby in this chair (just for a moment.) Doing so symbolizes our belief that each person has the potential to help bring about redemption and the Messiah (Messianic Age.) The child may then be handed to another relative to carry during the brit (covenant) ceremony.
In preparation for the ceremony family members, each with a candle, form two lines through which the baby may pass. This is reminiscent of the brit ben hab’tarim that Abraham took part in (Genesis 15:9-21). As the baby is carried between the lit candles, a niggun (word-less tune) or song may be sung and candle-holders may offer quiet blessings to the baby.
The parents should be the last two people in line each with a candle. As the baby passes between them and is handed to them, both parents should bring their candles together to light a single candle - representing the new life that they have created together. (It is particularly beautiful to use this symbolism on a Saturday night (after Shabbat) when the single candle can be a havdalah candle. A havdalah candle is, of course, one candle made up of two or more wicks.)
After the single candle has been lit, the parents may share some version of the following blessing:
Praised are You, ADONAI our God, who rules the universe, whose mitzvot (commandments) add holiness to our lives and who gave us the mitzvah (commandment) to bring this child into the covenant of Abraham, our father and Sarah, our mother.
The leader or parents may then ask all gathered to share in the three-fold blessing:
As she has entered the covenant, so may she enter the blessings of Torah (life-long learning), huppah (a loving-relationship), and ma’asim tovim (good deeds.)
The Simchat Bat concludes with a blessing over a cup of wine:
Praised are You, ADONAI our God, who rules the universe, creating the fruit of the vine.
While the Simchat Bat ends here, the celebration continues with the naming of the child. Click below to learn more.
Because there are many different symbols and rituals that can be used in the context of a Simchat Bat celebration it is impossible to describe exactly what you can expect. Instead I’ve chosen to describe one of my favorite types of celebration: Candle lighting.
Once your friends and family are settled, the celebration begins with an introductory song such as “Hinei Mah Tov.” After a few words of welcome, the baby can be brought in to the room by a family member. Upon arrival all gathered should welcome her with the words: ברוכה הבאה B’rucha Ha’ba’a - May she who comes be blessed!
This may be followed by singing “Heyveynu Shalom Aleichem.” Like at a brit milah, here too we invoke the presence of the prophet Elijah. We do so by having a special chair set aside as “Elijah’s Chair” and setting the baby in this chair (just for a moment.) Doing so symbolizes our belief that each person has the potential to help bring about redemption and the Messiah (Messianic Age.) The child may then be handed to another relative to carry during the brit (covenant) ceremony.
In preparation for the ceremony family members, each with a candle, form two lines through which the baby may pass. This is reminiscent of the brit ben hab’tarim that Abraham took part in (Genesis 15:9-21). As the baby is carried between the lit candles, a niggun (word-less tune) or song may be sung and candle-holders may offer quiet blessings to the baby.
The parents should be the last two people in line each with a candle. As the baby passes between them and is handed to them, both parents should bring their candles together to light a single candle - representing the new life that they have created together. (It is particularly beautiful to use this symbolism on a Saturday night (after Shabbat) when the single candle can be a havdalah candle. A havdalah candle is, of course, one candle made up of two or more wicks.)
After the single candle has been lit, the parents may share some version of the following blessing:
Praised are You, ADONAI our God, who rules the universe, whose mitzvot (commandments) add holiness to our lives and who gave us the mitzvah (commandment) to bring this child into the covenant of Abraham, our father and Sarah, our mother.
The leader or parents may then ask all gathered to share in the three-fold blessing:
As she has entered the covenant, so may she enter the blessings of Torah (life-long learning), huppah (a loving-relationship), and ma’asim tovim (good deeds.)
The Simchat Bat concludes with a blessing over a cup of wine:
Praised are You, ADONAI our God, who rules the universe, creating the fruit of the vine.
While the Simchat Bat ends here, the celebration continues with the naming of the child. Click below to learn more.
