The Tosefta on Blessings for Circumcision

12. One who circumcises [an infant] must recite a separate benediction [over his activity]. He says, “Praised [are you, O Lord . . . who has commanded us] concerning circumcision.”

The father of the infant must recite a separate benediction [over his activity]. He says, “Praised [are You, O Lord . . . who has commanded us] to bring him [i.e., the child] into the covenant of Abraham our father.”

What do the bystanders [at the circumcision] say [to the father]? “Just as you brought him into the covenant, so may you raise him for [the study of] Torah, marriage, and good deeds.”

13. What does the one who recites a benediction [after the circumcision is performed] say?

[He says, “Praised are You, O Lord . . . ] who sanctified the beloved [i.e., Isaac] from the womb and placed [the mark of] a statute in his flesh, and sealed his offspring with the sign of the holy covenant. As [our] reward for [having observed] this [commandment], O living God, our Portion and our Rock, now save the beloved of our flesh from destruction [i.e., let the wound heal and preserve the child’s life]. Praised [are You, O Lord,] who establishes the covenant.”

He who circumcises proselytes says, “[Praised are You, O Lord . . . who has sanctified us] through his commandments and commanded us to circumcise proselytes, to cause the blood of the covenant to flow from them, for were it not for the blood of the covenant, the heavens and earth would not exist, as it is written: If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the ordinances of heaven and earth (Jeremiah 33:25). Praised [are You, O Lord,] who establishes the covenant.”

He who circumcises slaves says, “Praised [are You, O Lord . . . ] who has sanctified us through his commandments and commanded us concerning circumcision.” The one who recites a benediction [after the circumcision is performed] says, “Praised [are You, O Lord . . . ] who has sanctified us through his commandments and commanded us to circumcise slaves and to cause the blood of the covenant to flow from them, etc.”