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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