Mohalim

Brith - Milah
A brit milah is one of those rare Jewish life cycle rituals that can, in fact on occasion, must be performed on a Shabbat or festival, even Yom Kippur; eight days is eight days. However, if the brit milah needs to be postponed because of the baby’s health, the rescheduled event cannot take place on a Shabbat or festival. If it cannot happen on the eighth day, the timing is no longer considered sufficiently imperative to risk the violations of traditional Shabbat practices that could potentially be involved. Every Brit Milah must be performed by a properly trained and certified Mohel (Ritual Circumciser). A Mohel is formally trained in circumcision techniques as well as in Jewish law and tradition. While he certainly must be an expert in the latest medically approved surgical and sterilization procedures, being a Mohel requires even more than surgical and medical skills. Jewish law sees the moment of Brit Milah as having a great spiritual impact
upon the child. The baby should be dressed in something that can be
easily and completely pulled up above his waist and then lowered again. It may help to have a pacifier handy as well. The ceremony itself takes about 15 minutes. After the procedure, a blessing over wine is recited and the baby is given his Hebrew name. Sometimes, the father and mother will offer a few words about the significance of the name they have chosen. The celebration of a new life, a new beginning, is an unparallel joy, not only for family and friends, but also for the entire Jewish nation. He is now a full-fledged member of our people. ■