Chair of Elijah

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There is a tradition for Jewish circumcisions to designate a chair for Elijah the Prophet, the “Angel of the Covenant,” at every circumcision.  Many synagogues have an ornamental chair for this purpose.  Some have the custom that the sandek, the one holding the child on his lap during the circumcision, sits on this chair.  Others use a chair that is wide enough for both the sandek and Elijah.
 
The custom in most communities is for the chair to be positioned from east to west, with the sandek , the one holding the child on his lap during the circumcision, facing west.