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Obj. ID: 11036
Sacred and Ritual Objects
  Circumcision shield, Tunis

© Center for Jewish Art, Photographer: Radovan, Zev, 04.85

The circumcision shield is a rounded oval plate, with a central slit. Its front face is decorated with a dedicatory inscription engraved in square Hebrew letters, and reads:

"שומר הברית (נחמיה ט:לב)/ ע"ה (עבד ה')/ מכלוף אלבז/ ס"ט/ זאת בריתי אשר/ תשמרו ביני וביניכם// ובין זרעך אחריך/ המול לכם כל זכר (בראשית י"ז:י)."

"'Who keepest the covenant' (based on Neh. 9:32). Servant of the Lord, Makhluf Elbaz, may he ends well. 'This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; every man child among you shall be circumcised (Gen. 17:10)." 

Summary and Remarks

Shomer HaBrit, namely the Covenant Keeper (based on Neh. 9:32), is the name attributed to the prophet Elijah, who according to tradition should attend each and every circumcision ceremony (Pirkei De'Rabbi Eliezer, 28). However, the title inscribed on Elbaz shield bears a double meaning and it also refers to the function of the shield during the ceremony. The shields are used to protect the baby's glans during the removal of the foreskin. Thus, the Circumcision Keeper is used not only as a title for Elijah, but also literally: the protector. As for their shape see, Circumcision shield, Sc.82(PC)-18). 

Remarks

2 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Shomer HaBrit | Unknown
Object Detail
Shomer HaBrit (the covenant keeper; see: Remarks: no. 1)
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
20th century
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Congregation
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period Detail
Collection
Israel | Sc_082
| 18
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Unknown |
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Silver
Material Stucture
cut
Material Decoration
engraved
Material Bonding
none
Material Inscription
engraved
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height
Length
720 mm
Width
340 mm
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
Extant
Documented by CJA
Surveyed by CJA
Present Usage
Present Usage Details
Condition of Building Fabric
Architectural Significance type
Historical significance: Event/Period
Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
Historical significance: Person
Architectural Significance: Style
Architectural Significance: Artistic Decoration
Urban significance
Significance Rating
0
Ornamentation
Custom
Contents
Codicology
Scribes
Script
Number of Lines
Ruling
Pricking
Quires
Catchwords
Hebrew Numeration
Blank Leaves
Direction/Location
Façade (main)
Endivances
Location of Torah Ark
Location of Apse
Location of Niche
Location of Reader's Desk
Location of Platform
Temp: Architecture Axis
Arrangement of Seats
Location of Women's Section
Direction Prayer
Direction Toward Jerusalem
Coin
Coin Series
Coin Ruler
Coin Year
Denomination
Signature
Colophon
Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources
• Berger, Natalia. "Instruments for Circumcision-Ritual Objects or Surgical Tools?." In Rimonim (5, 1997). Ed. Sabar, Shalom, 29-42. Jerusalem: Society for Jewish Art. In Hebrew. • Eudel, Paul. Dictionnaire des Bijoux de l'Afrique du Nord. Ernest Leroux, Éditeur, 1906. In French. • Sabar, Shalom. "Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Childhood." In The Life Cycle. Ed. Sabar Shalom, 14-91. Jerusalem: Ben-Zvi Institue for Study of Jewish Communities in the East, 2006. In Hebrew.
Type
Documenter
Yemima Leben | 04.85
Author of description
Ariella Amar | 06.11
Architectural Drawings
|
Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
|
Language Editor
Dvora Sax | 10.11
Donor
|
Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |