"Here, hold this..."

So, I got to do something kind of amazing.

Maybe "amazing" isn't the right word - or maybe it is? I am not quite sure just what it is that I am feeling. But I did something pretty significant in the life of a family, and in the life of a new born child. I also did something that I think is one of the single most important things I have ever done, and in particular in light of my journey to become Jewish.

He is tiny and small. He looks like a newborn kitten snuggling there in the cleft between his grand mother's breasts. He is wrapped in her feminine figure. Encapsulated, as it were. He is new to this world. About 2 weeks - a little over the usual time for theses things - but this is the first moment it has been possible.

Today he will take on the physical mark of the Jewish people - or at least it's men-folk. The Mohel is hurried, he seems eager to be back on the road, headed back to the familiarity of the city, and the nice, gentile, and - for want of a better term - rich - Bris' of the city folk.

We are in the middle of no where (read "the absolute..."). I swear to G-d. I was unsure what to expect, but this was a ways different from the Los Angeles I know, too. A comfortable, and cozy home, with a stable complete with a lovely horse and goat biding their days together.

The Mohel prepped as much as possible up-front, away from the ceremonial scene, which was sparsely populated, and bearing a strange and almost dread-filled energy. Too many women perhaps. Fearful for a cry or whimper that will cause them, too, to let tears flow. Not enough men who in solemn and joyous anticipation of the event, channel through the generations to Avraham, who did this for himself, at a great age. Not enough Jewish men, who saw this as probably one of the pinnacle moments of their life, thus far.

As I think it is for me.

I am suddenly very up front in my whole-hearted support of the Brit Milah as a vital and central part of our tradition, and spiritual heritage. That there is intense importance that Jews in modern times and movements do not loose their connectedness to this ritual procedure.

Yes, I'll freely admit that I am not sure I needed to see everything up close and personal. But, for the most part, I did. The probes etc, which were used, were not unfamiliar. Nor the bell device. But I'd never seen the scalpel vs. foreskin interaction at quite this angle, or close quarters. But he did fine - as countless generations have before him - with only a few wrinkles to his forehead, and maybe an extra scrunch of his nose.

Welcome to the Jewish nation - glad you've made the trip, thus far. We'll do our best to keep you close at all times, and take care of you. We will remember this day for you.