Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site cbdkc1.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!cbdkc1!ask From: ask@cbdkc1.UUCP (A.S. Kamlet) Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish Subject: Re: Deus ex machina (really bris) Message-ID: <1158@cbdkc1.UUCP> Date: Thu, 3-Oct-85 14:32:11 EDT Article-I.D.: cbdkc1.1158 Posted: Thu Oct 3 14:32:11 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 4-Oct-85 05:01:53 EDT References: <342@cstvax.UUCP> Reply-To: ask@cbdkc1.UUCP (A.S. Kamlet) Followup-To: <3780097@csd2.UUCP> Distribution: na Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Columbus Lines: 29 Keywords: bris >> That doesn't matter. Circumcision is done at birth, isn't it? > 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. I have a question about this. At the bris for each of my sons, the mohels made a point of publicly asking me if I wished to perform the bris. Now, I realize in 100% of the cases -- especially since the mohel was asked to perform the bris in the first place -- the father says NO THANKS! But, and here is my question, the mohel knew I wasn't qualified (we had discussed that a few days earlier, so he couldn't have any doubt about that.) yet he still offerred to let me do it. Can the father, even if he has no experience, training or knowledge, legally perform the bris? Related question: Does tradition hold that Abraham, Moses, Joshua, etc performed the bris as you have described above? -- Art Kamlet AT&T Bell Laboratories Columbus {ihnp4 | cbosgd}!cbrma!ask