573. The Brachos on a Bris

Milah 3:1

Before a bris, the mohel recites the bracha that God “has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us regarding circumcision.” This is the case when one circumcises another person’s son; if he circumcises his own son, he recites the bracha that God commanded us “to circumcise a son.” The father of the baby recites the bracha that God “has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to induct our sons into the covenant of our father Abraham.” It is a bigger mitzvah for a father to circumcise his son than it is for the Jewish people to circumcise any uncircumcised males among them. Therefore, if a baby’s father is not at the bris, this bracha is not recited. Some say that the beis din or one of the participants should recite this bracha but this opinion is not followed.

Milah 3:2

Others present at a bris reply, “Just as you have inducted him into the covenant, so, may you introduce him to Torah, the marriage canopy, and good deeds.”