The brith milo, or circumcision plate, is used to carry the newborn Jewish boy to the circumcision ceremony. Since the time of Abraham, Jews have been required, in accordance with the laws of the Torah, to undergo this ritual. Today, primarily as a result of health reasons, many non-Jews are also circumcised.
This set of silver brith milo plates are extremely light weight and measures approximately 25 centimetres in length and 35 centimetres in width. They were made by hammering a thin piece of metal over a mold. An inspection of the outer edge of the two plates shows that they are identical and may in fact be part of a series of plates. The plates were made in Poland and date from the eighteenth century. There is some doubt as to whether these plates were used as part of the circumcision ceremony since the large silver embossments would have made it extremely uncomfortable for the baby to lay upon it. Consequently, these circumcision plates may have served solely a decorative purpose.
As noted the imagery on the outer edge of these plates is identical. Various images which represent life and joy are included. Flowers, grapes, a wheat sheaf, a globe, and musical instruments (a harp and a trumpet) may be identified. A three-chambered animal heart, probably a lamb's, is shown at the bottom.
The central portion of the plates have depictions portraying biblical scenes. A detail of one plate (above) shows a child embracing a man and a woman. Immediately to the left, a person is rummaging through a basket-like vessel. At the centre of the scene, a man with a long beard is displayed holding a knife. Throughout this scene, people are shown carrying vessels on their head and gathering objects from the ground. In the background, trees (probably palm trees), hills, clouds, and tent-like triangular houses are apparent.
The title given to this plate is "The Falling of Manna from Heaven". According to the Book of Exodus, Manna (bread from heaven) was given to the Jewish people by God during the forty years which they wandered through the desert. Consequently, throughout this period, the Jews did not have to hunt for or plant food. Following from this interpretation, the bearded man in the centre probably represents Moses. The people which are bent-over on the ground are collecting the Manna. The tent-like houses probably represent the booths in which the Jews lived while wandering through the desert.
At the centre of the other plate, an image resembling
a sacrificial ceremony in the Temple is shown. At the
centre of this plate, there is a table on top of which
there is a small lamb that has been sacrificed. Directly
behind the table a man (probably a Rabbi) is
shown holding a knife which is positioned on the throat
of the lamb. In total there are twelve people around the
table. The plank-like carvings in the silver
which are located both above and behind the figures
indicates that the sacrifice is being performed inside
a building.
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