Frequently Asked Questions

The word itself means “Covenant of Circumcision”. It is the sign attesting to the everlasting covenant that G-d established with Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17). 500 years later, at Mount Sinai, it was then reiterated as a commandment: “And on the eighth day he shall have his foreskin circumcised” (Leviticus 12:3). 

The Mohel who performs the ritual circumcision is a person who has received specialized training in the medical and ritual aspects of the Brit. The moment of the Brit has a great spiritual effect on the child and therefore Jewish law specifies that one should choose a Mohel who is noted not only for his technical skills but also for his level of piety. It has therefore been the tradition that a Rabbi, cantor, or spiritual leader will also serve the community as a Mohel. 

The ceremony typically lasts about 30 minutes and involves the Mohel performing the circumcision, reciting prayers, and making blessings for the baby. The baby is typically held by the father or another close family member during the ceremony. The ceremony is followed by a festive meal celebrating the Brit Milah.

For more about the ceremony, see here.

Unlike the method of circumcision practiced in hospitals, the performance of ritual circumcision on an infant is almost painless for the child. While hospitals use a Gomco clamp to crush the skin and seal the blood vessels, causing extended pain to the infant, Brit Milah is performed using a finely honed blade of surgical steel and a non-constricting guard (the Mogen) which is placed over the foreskin. The procedure involves the removal of a small piece of skin – no flesh or muscle is cut at all. In addition, it should be noted that the nerves in a newborn on the eighth day are not yet fully developed.

Rabbi Meijers is always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have after the Brit. We encourage you to reach out if you have any issues or concerns. Additionally,  parents and caretakers of the child will be provided with clear aftercare instructions at the time of the Brit. A quick overview of the aftercare instructions can be found here.

In addition to fulfilling the religious obligation, circumcision has been shown to have health benefits such as reduced risk of urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, and certain types of cancer. 

We recommend scheduling the Brit as early as possible to ensure availability, but we can often accommodate last-minute requests depending on our schedule. Please contact us to discuss scheduling options. 

Being that the Brit Milah is such an important and meaningful event with an everlasting impact in the life of the baby and his family, we want to ensure that it is accessible to all families who wish to participate, regardless of their financial circumstances. As such, we do not place a specific price tag on the service. However families are encouraged to donate what they feel is appropriate and within their means. The suggested amount varies depending on a number of factors, such as timing, location, travel expenses, and other services requested. 

Although Rabbi Meijers specializes in infant circumcisions, he can provide referrals for expert Mohels who perform circumcisions on older boys or men. 

Tradition holds the Jewish woman in the greatest esteem. It is the Jewish mother who conveys the Jewish status and birthright upon her child, ensuring the future of the entire Jewish people. Tradition tells us that a newborn girl is considered “complete” with regard to the spiritual benefits attained through a Brit Milah. 

When circumcision is performed on a gentile it is usually done for medical reasons. A Mohel is one that performs circumcision only for ritual reasons, therefore the Mohel generally does not perform circumcision on gentiles. 

The obligation is for a Jew to circumcise his Jewish child. However Jewish law states that Judaism follows the mother and if the mother is non-Jewish then unless there is a proper conversion (to the mother) the child is not Jewish and does not require circumcision. 

As a good friend it may be thoughtful to come to the Brit with a gift. A nice gift may be something like an infants outfit or perhaps the parents have set up a baby gift registry. 

We are always happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us through our website or by phone. 

Rabbi Shmuel Y. Meijers CM - (917)-704-7017