עברית
Halachot and Customs
What is the custom of the "Zohar" meal before a circumcision?
Question
Hello! I would like to know the significance of the custom and its importance, how many people should be present at the meal, and whether the mother and the baby should also be present at the "Zohar" meal since I heard it involves a minyan of 10 men only. Thank you.
Answer
Greetings!
It is a Jewish custom to hold a meal on the night before the circumcision, and some say there is a source for this meal in the Talmud at the end of tractate Pesachim, referred to as `Yeshuah the son`, as a thanksgiving to Hashem for the newborn being saved successfully from the womb of the mother. The meal is held with ten men, and there is no custom to eat meat dishes at this meal, with some even specifically practicing to have a dairy meal.
Since this night is also called the Night of Vigil because the father, according to some customs, stays awake the entire night, bringing protection for his son through the recitation of specific verses and teachings for this night, as explained in the introduction to the Zohar, where the sages of the Zohar practiced this and occupied themselves with Torah the entire night before the circumcision.
The custom is based on what is explained in various texts that the baby needs protection from forces that wish to harm him on the night before the circumcision, and by having people come and recite the *Shema*, they provide real protection for the baby. Therefore, it is understood that this practice is mainly when the baby is present in that location.
Wishing you success, protection, and congratulations - Menashe Israel
