When do orthodox jews get circumcised

His friend Dr. Horowitz then wrote to his rabbi, Moses Sofer, the head of the Bratislava Yeshiva - one of the most important rabbis of the day - asking for guidance on whether to instruct his flock to stop using oral suction and use Dr. Rabbi Sofer replied early in that the new method was acceptable, based on careful study of the etymology of the Hebrew and Aramaic verbs for suck — matzatz. The word implied suction, Sofer wrote - but not necessarily with the mouth.

If anything, the method of circumcision itself had already changed, the rabbi pointed out: the Mishnah calls for the use of cumin in the bandage protecting the circumcised penis, but over the generations, the spice had been replaced by other substances. Following Sofer's authoritative decision, during the 19th century, many rabbis began to instruct their community mohels to forgo oral suction and use other methods, though some leading figures in the ultra-Orthodox community argued that metzitzah b'peh was part of the commandment to circumcise and thus could not be omitted or altered.

In the late 19th century, as the West recognized the role of microscopic agents in disease, studies began to appear in medical journals tying oral suction to infant illness and mortality. These days the practice is very rare, having been replaced, when at all, by alternative methods of suction. Also, suction with the mouth is more efficient than trying to achieve it with, say, a dry cloth, they explain. And at least 11 infant boys contracted herpes in New York City since , and two died.

It seems that for some infants the exact meaning of the word metzitzah is the difference between life and death. Elon Gilad Feb. Updated: Apr. Get email notification for articles from Elon Gilad Follow. There is no physical procedure comparable to circumcision. Families and communities have also acknowledged and celebrated the arrival of baby girls in many other ways throughout Jewish history, and in different Jewish traditions throughout the world, with a variety of home and synagogue rituals of celebration and naming.

This uncommon practice has been linked to transmission of herpes and other illnesses; some mohels continue to use oral suction, but use a sterilized tube so that their mouth will not come into direct contact with the baby. There are different opinions on this issue: Some people are convinced the procedure is very painful, whereas others insist that any pain is brief and minimal. Some mohels take steps to reduce the pain either by giving anesthesia or using a shield that functions like a clamp.

Mohels who do not use anesthetic often give the baby sugar water or wine as a mild form of sedation. Learn more about post-circumision care here.

The only requirement is that the meal include wine or grape juice, so a Kiddush can be recited, and bread, so that the Hamotzi can be recited. Bagels and lox are popular choices, and there are numerous Ashkenazi and Sephardic customary foods that are symbolic or are meant to bring good luck.

Gifts for the baby, such as clothing or a toy, are not required , but are often welcome. We recommend you read the following articles on our partner site, Kveller. Who Should I Invite to a Bris? No, some parents opt to have their son circumcised in the hospital or to have the procedure done privately, with only close family present.

In addition, a small but growing number of Jewish parents object to circumcision itself and are skipping the procedure altogether. This happens in Genesis , which is in Parashat Lech Lecha , the third portion in the annual Torah-reading cycle. Find which other sacred texts discuss circumcision. Some families pass the baby wrapped in a tallit from generation to generation. By emulating this ritual with the new child symbolizing the Torah, it shows that the baby comes from their own ancestral line and is learning from their community around them.

There are other alternative ceremonies involving Jewish ritual items, like awakening the babies senses with candles, wine, spices, and song.

A bris is held to welcome a newborn son into the family's larger community. Our communities and families are made up of people of many faiths. In many Jewish families, it's superstitious to hold a party for the child prior to birth in order to make sure the child is healthy and is able to fully join the community.

So instead of having a baby shower, a family will host a large bris celebration to acknowledge that the healthy birth has happened and celebrate their child with their community. Though not religiously traditional, parents who have a daughter may choose to hold a similar celebration to announce the baby's name, called a b'rit bat —daughter of the commandment. Save Pin FB More. Rabbi Elyssa Cherney. Rabbi Elyssa Cherney and her daughter. Credit: Courtesy of Rabbi Elyssa Cherney.

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