MOHEL
Rabbi Schtroks has been a traditional mohel close to 20 years. He was certified by The Initiation society (founded 1745) and by the office of the Chief Rabbi (U.K.). He may be reached at 604-541-4111.
Following are some frequently asked questions about brit millah:
Q. How significant is it religiously to have a traditional brit millah?
A. Brit millah is performed exclusively for religious reasons. As it is only performed once in a lifetime, isn't it sensible to use a method that complies with all Jewish standards?
Q. What is the reason for brit millah (ritual circumcision)?
A. Brit millah is a sign of the covenant G-d made with our forefather Abraham. Abraham and his descendants are to keep G-d's commandments. G-d agreed to protect Abraham and his descendants. From the time of the covenant to today (3,700 years ago) Abraham's descendants continue to survive. From that time until today Jewish people perform brit millah on their sons.
Q. What other reasons are there for brit millah (ritual circumcision)?
A. G-d purposely left a redundant skin on the body for man to remove. This reminds the individual of his lifelong task of perfecting his personality and spiritual dimensions. Parents are more aware and concerned than the child about brit millah. At this stage of the child's life, the message is mainly to the parents who must raise their child to strive for continual spiritual growth.
Q. What is significant about having a brit when the child is eight days old?
A. Among the reasons for this biblical imperative: Seven represents G-d's involvement in nature (as in the seven days of the week). The step beyond number seven (i.e. eight) indicates G-d's relationship that transcends nature. The entry of the G-dly soul at the time of Brit Millah is when the child's relationship with G-d that transcends nature begins.
Q. Do the parents participate in the Brit Millah ceremony?
A. Being parents of the child is the ultimate involvement in the Brit. Therefore, parents customarily honor others--family and friends--to perform parts of the ceremony. As long as a boy is a minor, the responsibility of performing the brit millah is upon the father; the mohel performs it on his behalf. Therefore, the father recites a blessing as part of the ceremony.
Q. How should one select a Jewish name for a child?
A. Jewish names are entirely the choice of the parents and need not correspond to any other names given to the child. When naming a child after another person, the soul of the child develops an affinity to the soul of the one after whom the child is being named. Sefardim give names after people who are alive or deceased; Ashkenazim name only after the deceased.
Q. Are the most modern techniques used for brit millah?
A. The very best technique is the one used in traditional brit millah. Circumcisions performed in the hospital involve painful clamps (occasionally drugs) and takes approximately 15 minutes. Brit millah by a mohel takes 30 seconds or less. It is no wonder that Queen Elizabeth II employed a mohel for her family.
Q. What risks are associated with brit millah?
A. Circumcision is the most frequently performed and safest surgery in the world. Traditional brit millah is the safest of all techniques of circumcision. (Not removing enough skin is a definite concern when clamps are used.) The possibility of infection is remote indeed. Any bleeding (that rarely occurs) is easily stopped.
Q. Is it better for a brit to be performed without clamps?
A. Clamps crush the baby's skin causing unnecessary, excessive trauma. Circumcision without clamps requires much more competence than with their use. A practitioner who does not know how to instantly control bleeding finds clamps convenient, because crushed skin bleeds very little--or not at all. (A kosher brit must involve some bleeding.)
Q. What do parents have to do to care for the child after the brit millah?
A. This depends upon the technique used. In traditional circumcision, when OXYCELL is used as a dressing (and that is what I use), no aftercare is required. No anticeptics are needed either. Generally, healing occurs without incident.
Q. Why is there a reluctance to use a nerve block for pain during infant circumcisions?
A. Dorsal P. nerve block involves the risk of methemoglobinemia, gangrene and damage to the dorsal nerve. (Mandel S. JAMA 1989;261:702, Olson M. AJHP 1981;38:88-93, Schoen EJ.. JAMA 1989;262:701) Understandably, nerve blocks are not considered for heel puncture (for baby's blood test); they are almost as painful as "routine" circumcision! (Holton M. 1996;96:31-3) Traditional, clamp free Brit MIllah is hardly painful when compared with the procedures of these studies, and needs no risky drugs!
The Center for Judaism
rabbi@centerforjudaism.org
2351 128 St. Surrey, BC V4A 3W1 Canada
604-542-5454 Cel 604-729-4111 H 604-541-4111
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