A special chair is prepared at every brit in honor of Eliyohu HaNavi, Elijah the Prophet, which is located to the right of the sandek. The child is placed on this chair while the mohel recites certain blessings. The father then lifts the child and places it in the lap of the sandek.

Elijah serves a spiritual purpose at the brit: He is a positive energy force coming to take the place of the Evil Prosecutor. As mentioned earlier, the greater the mitzvah, the more the unholy forces attempt to place accusations upon the Jew, and, ultimately to prevent him from fulfilling the mitzvah. Elijah transforms the prosecutor into a defense attorney, so to speak. The purpose of his arrival is to remove all negative energy.

However, in order for Elijah to be present, we must physically summon and announce his presence and designate a special chair for him.

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