Brit shalom

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This article is about the Jewish naming ceremony. For the Jewish-Palestinian reconciliation organisation, see Brit Shalom.

Brit shalom (Hebrew covenant of peace) is a naming ceremony for Jewish boys that is intended to replace the traditional brit milah ceremony as an initiative by some, more liberal, Jews who do not approve of circumcision of boys. (A parallel covenantal naming ceremony for girls only is commonly called Brit Bat.) Brit Shalom may be planned before the sex of the child is known. This choice may be inspired by a variety of reasons, including concerns that circumcision causes physical and psychological harm to the child, ethical concerns, and concern for equality of the sexes. It is advocated by groups such as Jews Against Circumcision.

The question of circumcision and Jewish identity is frequently misunderstood by both Jews and Gentiles alike. Ritual circumcision of a male child on the eighth day of life is part of Jewish law. Although one does not need to be circumcised to be Jewish, an intended failure to follow this commandment carries the penalty of karet, or being cut off from the community. However, in more liberal forms of Judaism, uncircumcised boys are commonly accepted for religious training and Bar Mitzvah. Movements that do not see Jewish law as binding, such as Reform Judaism and Humanistic Judaism, may allow this ceremony, but in practice it is uncommon.

The brit shalom is also known as the alternative brit, brit b'li milah ("covenant without cutting"), or brit chayim ("covenant of life").