―(21) And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called
JESUS (Y‘SHUA), which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb‖. Two very
important issues are mentioned here in this verse:
Bris was carried out on the eighth day; and
only after the bris was His name officially given to Him.
Circumcision shows the faith of the parents, not the child. If the child were given the option, he would
probably vote against it, since it is not always a pleasant experience. That is why circumcision was not
fulfilled in baptism. An infant circumcision was no grounds for infant baptism, because baptism always shows
the faith of the one being baptised. Circumcision is when a newborn male is joined to the Jewish People by
bris on the eighth day of his life. From here we will see that Y‘shua the Jew complied fully with Judaism and
was also joined to His people on the eighth day through bris.
In Judaism, Circumcision is always performed on the eighth day (Positive Law 215: Gen 17:10; On
circumcising one's son: Lev 12:3), and also the time in the Jewish world for the official naming of the
baby. Circumcision was inaugurated in two covenants: the Abrahamic Covenant and the Mosaic Covenant.
Each had a different purpose. Circumcision under the Abrahamic Covenant was a sign of Jewishness.
Circumcision under the Mosiac Covenant was a sign of submission to the Law. It is still necessary for the
Jew under the Abrahamic Covenant because this is an eternal covenant.
"Bris" means ―pact‖. Abraham‘s faith was tested ten times by YHWH, after which YHWH was assured that
his convictions were unshakable. The ninth ordeal was to remove the excess foreskin of the male organ,
denoting spiritual domination over base compulsion. After all ten, Abraham entered into a pact of mutual faith
with YHWH that lives forever. It is said that Abraham accomplished this on the tenth day of the month of
Tishrei, later designated as Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), when the sins of the Jewish people were
forgiven. It is important to note that the dominant symbol of bris is its blood; and understanding the seven
main festivals of Lev 23 (especially Yom Kippur), you will know that that blood was needed for the remission
of sin. This is exactly what Y‘shua did for us on Golgotha. Bris is then also a reminder of another Covenant—
the New Covenant, every time a family sees the blood. Also, when the Israelites came out of Egypt and
celebrated the first Passover (symbolic of Y‘shua being sacrificed for us), they were all commanded to be
circumcised—including all the strangers who joined them (Exod 12:43-51). (To obtain addition information on
circumcision, see ―Birth of Yochanan (John)‖.)
Both Miriam and Yoseph were told on separate occasions that the Child was to be named Y‘shua. The
official naming of a child in the Jewish world then, as today, comes on the day of circumcision. Y‘shua was
circumcised and on this occasion was officially named in obedience to what the angel had told them. Y‘shua
was given a Hebrew name and not the name ―Jesus‖ as we have it in English.
Judaism places great importance on the naming of each new child. It is believed that the name of a person
or thing is closely related to its essence. It is important, therefore, to give much thought to a child's shem
kodesh, sacred or Hebrew name. The Hebrew name is the spiritual call sign, a title that reflects the unique
character qualities and God-given gifts according to the Jews. In this case, we can clearly see it in Y‘shua‘s
name – meaning ―Salvation‖. YHWH, his ―heavenly Father‖ took great importance in the naming of his Son.
When a parent gives a child a name, the parent is giving the child a connection to previous generations. The
parent is also making a statement about their hope for who their child will become. In this way, the name
carries with it some identity for the child.
According to Anita Diamant in What to Name Your Jewish Baby, "Like Adam's appointed task of giving
names to all living things in Eden, naming is an exercise of power and creativity‖. Many parents today put a
great deal of thought and energy into deciding what to name their Jewish baby.
The making of a Sholom Zachar (a festival celebration) normally precedes the day of the Brit-milah
(circumcision):
There is a custom to make a feast of fruits and beverages on the erev Shabbat (the Sabbath evening) before
the day that the brit takes place. This is seen as a feast held in honour of performing a mitzvah
(commandment) and is called a ―shalom zakhar‖. Similarly, there is a custom to stay awake studying all night
before the circumcision to protect the child from demons, etc. It is obviously the last chance for the demons
to get the child before circumcision makes him safe. This is called leil shimmurim – the night of Watching.
Several other different explanations are offered for the custom of shalom zachar: