Until the brith
The rabbi insisted
On giving a lesson
In Mishnah and
Reading a portion
From the weekly
Parasha

Soon after
The mohel entered
The livingroom
Holding my baby brother
Dressed in a white satin
Ceremonial dress

He passed him
To my grandmother
She to my uncle
He to my father
Hand to hand
Until he rested on the lap
Of the sandak

as this child
entered into the covenant,
so may he enter
into Torah,
the marriage canopy,
and into good deeds,
Amen

As all were wishing
mazal-tov
My grandmother
Covered her lips,
Rolled her tongue
In her mouth and began
Trilling it wildly

Away from the noise
My uncle lifted Shlomo
From the lap of the sandak
(still wailing and shaking)
Passing him to my mother
Where he became a little quieter

Michal Mahgerefteh