My Ancestors' Hands Upon My Shoulders: Remembering My Son's Circumcision

Nine years ago this morning, I stood, trembling, as I watched a mohel circumcise my son in front of me.   Our rabbi -- the late Rav Berg -- held my son on his lap, and stroked the face of the week-old boy who had yet no name. An empty chair, set aside for Elijah the Prophet, stood next to the Rav.

The crying was brief and intense, and I felt in one inst…