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!linus!philabs!cmcl2!csd2!meth From: meth@csd2.UUCP (Asher Meth) Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish Subject: Re: Deus ex machina (:-) Message-ID: <3780097@csd2.UUCP> Date: Thu, 26-Sep-85 17:29:00 EDT Article-I.D.: csd2.3780097 Posted: Thu Sep 26 17:29:00 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 1-Oct-85 07:49:14 EDT References: <342@cstvax.UUCP> Organization: New York University Lines: 35 > That doesn't matter. Circumcision is done at birth, isn't it? The Torah tells us, in the beginning of parshas Tazria (in the middle of sefer Vayikra - Leviticus), "Uvayom Hashemini Yeemol Besar Orlaso" - "..., and on the eighth day shall the foreskin be cut/circumcized". Thus, the Bris Milah (brit milah) is performed on the eighth day (day of birth is the first day). As discussed here a few months ago (it can't hurt to bring up old topics, especially if they are informative), the laws concerning bris milah can be found in the Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah, vol 3 (I'm not sure the numbers of the simanim, after 250 or so). The circumcision must be performed by a qualified "mohel", all of whom I've seen use proper sterile, surgical equipment; all within the letter of the law, as prescribed in the Shulchan Aruch. The mohel must be well versed in all the pertinent laws, and cut as prescribed. There are two basic things that the mohel must cut, for a proper circumcision - the foreskin ("milah"), and an inner membrane ("periah"). He must also do "metzitzah" - withdrawing some blood from the area of the wound. If he does not do this, it can be dangerous for the one being circumcized. Thus, a circumcision performed by a (non-mohel) doctor in a hospital, using whatever method they use, it not a proper halachic (within the parameters of halacha - Jewish law) circumcision. If the male was not circumcized on the eighth day (for health reasons, reasons of persecution - e.g., many Russian Jews who were able to leave Russia were not circumcized, etc.), then he should be circumcized as soon as possible thereafter. ---------------- A Gemar Tov to all. Asher Meth ....... meth@nyu-csd2.arpa ....... allegra!cmcl2!csd2!meth