Elijah's chair

During the circumcision ceremony (brith mila), it is customary to have a seat designated for the prophet Elijah. According to tradition, Elijah, nicknamed "the angel of the brith", is present at each circumcision ceremony.

In Ashkenazi communities, one often encounters a bench with two places, one for the godfather holding the child and another, left empty, for the prophet Elijah. The fact of attending each circumcision allows the prophet   Elijah to testify in favor of the Jews that they respect the covenant.

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