If a father does not have his son circumcised, the son is obligated to have himself circumcised as an adult. The brit milah takes places 8 days after the birth of a son. The day the child was born is counted as the first day. Circumcisions are performed on Shabbat. Of course, if there is a question of health, the brit is postponed.
Circumcision involves surgically removing the foreskin of the penis.
Although some cultures have a similar ritual for females, circumcision in Judaism only applies to males. The circumcision is performed by a mohel. A circumcision done in the hospital is not considered a brit milah unless it is done with the intention of fulfilling this particular mitzvah and the proper blessings are recited at the time. At a brit milah, it is traditional to also formally name the child. It is customary among Ashkenazic Jews to name a child after a deceased relative.