The traditions and customs associated with the birth of a boy seem to be more numerous and marking his very first moments of life. As usual, there are differences in the Askenazi and Sephardi/Mizrahi tradition, which might create sometimes some specific cultural identifications.
Take, for instance, shalom zachar - or shulem zucher for the Yiddish speaking folks. It is a gathering supposed to take place the first Friday after the birth of a boy to welcome the new soul into the world. The reunion, which has the status of a teuda mitzva, takes place after the usual dinner, even if the mother and baby are not present, and there is no ceremony or dvar Torah assigned but wise speeches are encourages, but expect a lot of lechaims and mazel tovs. In case it is not possible to meet the first Shabbes after the birth, it can be delayed.
The mysterious explanation of this custom is that after the baby learnt Torah with an angel during his time in the womb, this gathering is an opportunity to mourn the lost memory of the precious learning. It is said that shortly before birth, the angel slaps the baby boy and he forgets everything he learned for 9 months. Therefore, the ceremony can be considered as a 'mourning', and some serve also a food usually served by shiva - the arbes, for instance, cooked chickpeas with spices, salt or pepper - and any round food aimed to remember the round circle of life.
By the Oriental Jews, the most important event before the brit takes place the night before the event, when the men gather for a sleepless night of reading Tehilim and reciting Shema - 'the Brit Yitzchak'. According to their tradition, the night before the brit mila is 'spiritually dangerous' and therefore prayers should eliminate the dangers. Some Hasidim also do have the same tradition, called in Yiddish 'vach nacht'.
In the last years, a similar ceremony to shalom zachar was introduced, the simchat bat, aimed at celebrating the birth of a girl.
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