Elijah's chair

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Please enlarge the photo to enjoy the rich detail of this special chair in the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem.
Written on the chair are the Hebrew words meaning
"THIS IS THE THRONE OF ELIJAH THE PROPHET, WHO IS REMEMBERED FOR GOOD."
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These are the words the mohel proclaims to the guests as the 8-day-old boy is placed on the chair.
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Usually the baby is then moved to the lap of the sandek (the man honored with the privilege of holding the baby during the act of circumcision); and Elijah's beautiful chair is left free for Elijah who, according to Jewish tradition, comes to witness every brit milah (circumcision).
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Before beginning his quick work, the mohel recites several blessings, including this one:
"O Elijah, messenger of the covenant מַלְאַךְ הַבְּרִית , behold, yours is now before you; stand at my side and assist me."
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I read that some communities use a regular chair over which is placed a nice cloth embroidered with "This is the throne [chair] of Elijah the prophet, who is remembered for good."
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I noticed this one displayed in the window of a baby goods store on Jaffa Street.
It was on sale, reduced from 150 to 120 shekels.
Need one?
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To see more of the Great Synagogue where the chair resides, see my post Bench on the Bima.
To understand who gets which honors in a traditional Orthodox Jewish brit, see AskMoses.com.
Non-Jewish readers might enjoy the explanation of the brit and naming ceremony at Hebrew4Christians.com.
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