Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version nyu B notes v1.5 12/10/84; site csd2.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!genrad!mit-eddie!godot!harvard!seismo!cmcl2!csd2!schechte From: schechte@csd2.UUCP (asher schechter) Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish Subject: Ben Niddah, Milah and Sex Detection Message-ID: <3780018@csd2.UUCP> Date: Sat, 2-Mar-85 22:35:00 EST Article-I.D.: csd2.3780018 Posted: Sat Mar 2 22:35:00 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 5-Mar-85 02:27:32 EST Organization: New York University Lines: 18 The source for the fact that a ben niddah is not a mamzer is from yebomas 49 and kidushin 68. The halacha is brought down in Rambam [hilchot issuray biah 15 1] and in Shulchan Aruch [Even H'ezer 4 13]. A milah performed properly by a nonjew is kosher [Avoda Zora 26 ] (however there may be a problem if the nonjew is not trustworthy and a competent Rabbi should be consulted ,and of course it is better to have a jewish mohel) The reason jews don't detect the sex of a fetus is because it requires an unnecessary wound ("chavala") which is not allowed according to halacha. It is only permissible to perform an operation if the patient needs it for his/her health. Even cosmetic surgery may sometimes be assur according to halacha (of course a Rabbi should be consulted). Asher Schechter