The Arizal and the Brit Milah
The famous leader of the kabbalists in Tsefat, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (A doneinu R av Y itzchak), came to that city after living for years in Egypt. He is also known, with dearness and awe, as “The Arizal.”
Tradition has it, however, that he was actually born in Jerusalem, to extremely righteous parents. The Prophet Eliyahu told his father that he should not allow the brit milah of his son to take place until he appeared to him in the synagogue. When the time of the brit arrived, Eliyahu had still not appeared. No one among the assembled guests understood the reason for the delay, since the mohel, the father and the baby were all there. The father ignored the mounting cries to start the brit — until Eliyahu finally arrived.
The prophet, who traditionally arrives at every brit in invisible form, was this time seen taking the baby in his arms and informing his father that he should take special care of his son, for he would be a light to all Israel and the entire world.
