Elijah the Prophet, according to Jewish tradition, attends all circumcisions in order to protect and bless the child. It is customary to honor him by preparing a chair for him to the right of the sandek’s chair. The reason the sandek’s chair is to the left of Elijah’s is based on the Talmudic saying that a student walks on his teacher’s left.
One of the assembled is honored with placing the child upon Elijah’s chair, so that Elijah should bless the child.
Elijah does not attend a brit unless he is summoned. For that reason, there are various prayers and blessings to summon and acknowledge his presence.

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