The celebratory meal

The berit mila is one of the most important and joyous events in the life of the parents and family of the newborn baby.

The ceremony is always followed by a se'uda: a festive meal or banquet. This banquet is considered a se'udat mitzva, i.e. by taking part of this meal, we fulfill a Mitzva.

The Rabbis indicated, therefore, that the participation in this meal is not optional but virtually mandatory. Rama (rabbi Moshe Isserles), in his notes to the Shulchan Arukh asserted that one who does not participate of this important banquet 'should be banned from heaven'. That is why in the Ashkenazi communities, the hosts are very careful not to 'invite' formally any guest to the Berit Mila, because if they are invited and do not come to the seuda it could be considered as if they rejected this Mitzva, and would be under a heavenly ban. In the Ashkenazi communities, then, the tradition is that people are not formally invited to the Berit Mila. The hosts just announce publicly the date and place where the berit mila will take place (pitche teshuba).

Because this banquet is not a regular meal, but the fulfillment of a Mitzva, people who are in mourning, after the shiba (the first seven days of mourning) are allowed to participate of the ceremony and the meal (when no music is played at the banquet). According to rabbi Refael Pinchasi (chayim vechesed), before thirty days (sheloshim) the mourner participates of the ceremony, but he should not participate of the banquet.

There are many different Minhagim (customs) on this issue. Rama, for example, says that during the twelve months, the mourner should not take part of any meal outside his house (YD 393), even if is a se'udat mitzva. Each one should know and follow his or her community's traditions.

BERIT MILA: The steps of circumcision. Metzitza.

Previously (see here ) we've explained the first three steps of the Berit Mila:

1. Sterilization,

2. Removal of the foreskin (circumcision) and

3. peri'a or removal of epithelium.

The fourth step is the Metziza, sucking the blood from the circumcision wound. The ritual of Metzitzah is found the Mishna, Masekhet Shabbat (19:2) as one of the steps involved in the circumcision rite.

Modern rabbis (Chatam Sofer) have observed that the rationale for the Metziza is hygienic.

According to Rabbi Mordechai Halperin, this action lowers the internal pressure in the tissues of the organ, in the blood vessels of the head of the organ and in the exposed ends of the arterioles that have just been cut. Thus, the difference between the pressure in the blood vessels in the base of the organ and the pressure in the blood vessels at its tip is increased.

In modern days, as our awareness of infections and sterilization procedures have increased, the rabbis dissent regarding the right procedure for the Metziza.

Some rabbis, notably Rabbi Sinai Schiffer of Baden, Germany, states in his Sefer Mitzvas Hametzitzah that most Russian (Lithuanian) rabbis categorically prohibit Metzitzah with a sponge etc. and require it to be done orally.

Most Modern Orthodox Rabbis, however, recommend to use a sterilized glass which fulfills the same mission and eliminates the risks of infections, herpes, HIV, etc.

Our own rabbi Eliyahu ben Hayim (Shelita), also recommends the Metzizta be done using a sterilized glass tube.

Click here to read the statement of the Rabbinical Council of America on the issue of Metzitza.

BERIT MILA: The steps of circumcision (Part 1)

The procedure of circumcision:

1. Sterilization: Although the public nature of the ceremony makes complete sterility virtually impossible, the Mohel (ritual circumcision surgeon) does everything in his power to maintain his hands, his instruments and the place of the Berit Mila as clean and sterilized as possible (see here for new recommended standards, by Rabbi Avi Billet)

2. The Magen: The Mohel then places a Magen (shield) on the organ, separating the foreskin from the genital, and protecting the later from the surgical blade. Then the Mohel pronounces the blessing and removes the foreskin with the blade.

Some Mohalim use a clamp, a device which closes on the organ exerting much pressure on it, to attain a virtually bloodless circumcision. The usage of a clamp (Gomco clamp, Mogen Clamp) is medically controversial (see here the FDA recommendations) and is traditionally not accepted in our community.

Other Mohalim do not use any kind of Magen and keep the separation between the organ and the foreskin by hand.

In practice, virtually all orthodox Mohalim use the traditional Magen

3. Peri'ah: The next step is called peri'ah, which means 'uncovering'. It consist of the removal of the inner preputial membrane (epithelium). The Berit Mila is considered done only when this membrane is removed, or permanently peeled back, to uncover the glans. This procedure is done by hand and it is one of the most difficult parts of the performances of the circumcision. Sometimes if this epithelium was not be fully removed by hand, it is necessary to severe the extra skin (tsitisn) by instruments. An expert Mohel recognizes when these extra strips of skin should be removed (me'akebin) and when not.

to be continued...

BERIT MILA: Choosing the right Mohel

Today is the 23 of Tamuz, 5771

In the following lines, I present some guidelines to help the parents realize what is important to check at the time they are choosing the Mohel ('circumcision surgeon').

The two basic elements to bear in mind when choosing a Mohel are: A. The expertise of the Mohel. B. 

The personality and religious character of the Mohel ("adam tob vetzadiq")

The Mohel should be experienced and trained in the performance of the Berit Mila. The Mohel is required to study Jewish law, and be sensitive to the traditions of the community where he performs the Berit Milah.

He should also be trained in the medical aspects of circumcisions.

1. Together with the family doctor, he has to evaluate the infant's health to decide if it is safe to perform the Berit Mila.

2. He needs to know the basic of sterilization and hygiene required at the time of the circumcision. (I will have B'H a special section on Metziza)

3. He needs to be an expert not only in removing the foreskin but also the tissue around it (peri'a). This procedure is not done with instruments but by hand.

4. He needs to know how to disinfect and cover the wound, so it heals fast and well.

5. The Mohel is expected to provide post-procedural care, which is often done in conjunction with the family doctor.

6. The Mohel is supposed to have basic training in first aid, in case, God forbid, anything goes wrong.

Most Mohalim today are affiliated with local hospitals and/or certified by Berit Mila Boards, where they have got the basic training in circumcision performance, surgery and first aid. Many Mohalim will post this information in their web sites or cards.

BERIT MILA: Should the father himself perfom the circumcision?

18 of Sivan, 5771

In the Torah says that Abraham circumcised his son Isaac. Accordingly, the performance of the circumcision is incumbent directly upon the father.

The Sephardic tradition is that when the father performs the circumcision by himself, a different berakha is said. Normally the Mohel (circumcision surgeon) says: 'al hamila "...that You commanded us the performance of the circumcision...". But when the father himself circumcises his son he should say: "that You commanded us to circumcise one's son".

The question is: since it is a greater merit for the father to perform the Berit, should the father himself be encouraged to circumcise his son?

Some modern Rabbis discourage the father from doing the circumcision (see Penine Halakha, Mishpacha, 3, pg. 166) especially since there have been some cases where, God forbids, tragedies have occurred because of that. Rabbi Melamed also says that "rob gedole Israel", most prominent rabbis had always preferred to let the Mohel to perform the Berit. After all, the Berit Mila is a delicate procedure, for which one should not take risks (chashash sakana).

"The task of the mohel is not taken lightly. The mohel is required to study Jewish law, be familiar with the ancient traditions included in the circumcision ceremony, and must have expertise in the surgical process. For that, he undergoes intense training, learning the latest hygienic and medical techniques needed for the circumcision. He also receives instruction for evaluating the infant's health prior to the circumcision, and for providing post-procedural care".

The general custom, then, is that the father formally appoints an expert Mohel to circumcise his son.

The exception, of course, is when the father himself is a Mohel or a doctor.

Will your cell phone kill you?

Click HERE to read: "A Jewish approach to risk evaluation", by Daniel Eisenberg, M.D.

BERIT MILA: Sephardic Customs and traditions

There are many traditions and customs practiced in our community and in most Sephardic communities at the time of the Berit Milah.

Among them:

The father of the baby and the Sandak (the person honored to hold the baby as, the Mohel performs the circumcision), both wear a Talit for the ceremony.

After the Berit, all guests are welcome to come to the Sandak and receive a personal blessing from him. The Sandak should prepare himself for this special moment, bearing the merit and responsibly involved in blessing properly each individual.

The family of the baby brings red apples and distributes them among the male guests, after the Berit.

Some families in our community have the custom to do the Berit Itzchak, the night before the Berit Mila. This ceremony takes place after Arbit. In preparation for the Berit Mila the attendees read some texts from the Torah, the Talmud and excerpts from the Zohar. These texts refer to the importance of the Berit Milah, beginning of course, with Abraham Abinu. At the end of the ceremony, the attendees bless the baby and wish him and his family HaShem's blessings.

In some Ashkenazi communities, the night before the circumcision, young children come to the home of the newborn baby and recite Torah verses. This ceremony is called vacht nacht in Yiddish, "night of watching.

The morning of the Berit, the father should make every effort to attend services (Shacharit) before the Berit.

Our community custom is that, when somebody in the community has a Berit Mila, even if he himself is not present there, we skip the recitation of ANA (Viduy-confession) in all of the community Minyanim (for Shacharit only!).

BERIT MILA: Sephardic Ceremony

Today is the 26 of Iyar, 5771/ 41 days of Omer (5 weeks, 6 days)

The ceremony begins when the child is brought into the room where the circumcision will take place and is handed to the father. As the baby is brought into the room, it is customary for guests to greet him singing different songs in Hebrew. The most popular song in Sephardic communities is perhaps: berukhim atem kehal emunai....

The father holds the baby and pronounces a few prayers (see link). Then the baby is handed to an honoree (usually the grandfather who is not acting as the Sandak!) who places the baby in the special chair of Eliyahu haNabih.

Then the father holds again the baby and formally appoints the Mohel as his "agent" to perform the Berit Milah. "You be my agent to circumcise my son". This is done because, technically the father is directly commanded to perform the circumcision, so, in case he does not perform the circumcision himself, he must appoint the Mohel as his agent (shaliach).

There are three blessings that have to be pronounced at the ceremony of the Berit Milah, two by the father and one by the Mohel. In our community we have the custom that the father recites the first blessing (lehakhniso )before the circumcision takes place.

After the father pronounces the third blessing (shehecheyanu) one of the honorees, usually the Mohel or one of the rabbis present at the Berit, says the Kiddush (bore peri hagefen) and the berakha asher kiddesh yedid mibeten....

Then, a special prayer (misheberakh) for the baby is recited, where his Hebrew name is loudly announced for the first time.

Click HERE to see the ceremony, step by step, as it is done in the Mashadi community.

BERIT MILA: Circumcision on the Eighth Day (Part 2)

Today is the 19th of Iyar, 5771/ 34 days of Omer (3 weeks, 6 days)

Last week we explained the importance of Berit Mila, the signal of Jewish identity of a Jewish male, in its reproductive organ. (The Jewish female, says rabbi Melamed, is herself --or her womb-- the symbol of Jewish identity. Because Jewishness is transmitted/"reproduced" exclusively via the mother :only when the mother is Jewish, the baby is Jewish as well).

The Berit Mila is performed eight days after the baby is born. It is critical to know at what time exactly the baby was born. Illustration: Sunset (sheqia) in NYC is today at 8.13PM. If a baby is born before 8.13 PM the brit Mila will be done next Monday. But if is born after 8.42PM--(nighttime, 3 stars in NYC, for most opinions) the Berit Mila will be next Tuesday. Now, if the baby was born in between sunset and nightfall (twilight, ben hashemashot), a Rabbi or an expert Mohel should be consulted to establish if the Berit Mila should be performed Monday or Tuesday.

The Berit Mila ceremony should take place only during daytime, since the Torah specifically indicated bayom hashemini,.. "on the eighth day" (=daytime). Even when the Berit Mila is postponed, and not done on the eighth day, it should be done during daytime.

Ideally, the ceremony should be scheduled early in the morning, after Shacharit service. Jewish tradition says that one should be eager to perform a Mitzvah (zerizim makdimim laMitzvot). This is the standard Sephardic Minhag. Other Rabbis would say that the Berit Mila could be done in the afternoon, anytime before sundown, if more people -especially close relatives- will be able to attend the ceremony.

What is circumcision? by Aish

BERIT MILA: Circumcision on the Eighth Day

Today is the 12th day of Iyar, 5771/ 27 days of Omer (3 weeks, 6 days)

Berit Milah, means the "covenant of circumcision,". It is the first Mitzva commanded to our patriarch Abraham (Bereshit 17:14) and the most important sign of Jewish identity of a Jewish male.

The Berit Mila is performed on a baby boy, usually eight days after he is born. It involves the removal of the foreskin by a Mohel, a 'circumcision surgeon', specially trained to safely perform the procedure.

The Berit Mila is called popularly by one word. In Yiddish they call it: "Bris" and in most Sephardic communities: "Mila".

If the eighth day falls on a Shabbat, the Berit Mila is still performed. According to our tradition the performance of Berit Mila in its due time, overrides Shabbat. Still, except for what is needed for the actual performance of the circumcision, the rest of the Laws of Shabbat are not suspended.

Sometimes circumcision must be delayed and in extreme cases (hemophilia), suspended. If a doctor or an experienced Mohel considers that the baby is still not physically ready for the circumcision, the Berit Mila needs to be postponed until the baby is physically fit for it.

Examples:

The typical case of delayed circumcision is when the baby is premature and or less than 6 pounds (this criteria varies slightly according to different schools). Other common reason to delay the circumcision is jaundice, (yellowish skin) a temporary disease, that might affect as many as 60% of all newborn babies.

A doctor should be always consulted as to when the circumcision might be done.

READ Circumcision and the Eight day,By Daniel Eisenberg, MD
http://www.aish.com/ci/sam/48964686.html