Frequently asked questions

Why a Mohel?

As per traditions, Mohels have been used to perform Brit, this is a requirement of Jewish Law. A Mohel is trained in the medical and surgical aspect of circumcision, in addition to studying and being trained in the traditional part of it. Any Mohel will frequently perform brit milah’s for doctors, surgeons and medical specialists . Due to their vast experience in this field even doctors seek their advice and guidance while dealing with complication related cases. A good Mohel performs the actual circumcision typically in 5 -15 seconds, (as compared to 15 -45 minutes, that is standard with most doctors). Even non Jewish communities that practice circumcision, search for Mohels due to the quick and less painful manner they perform the procedure. A Mohel who works full time as a specialist will certainly have done more circumcisions than a Pediatrican or an OBGYN.

If circumcision is what G‑d wants, why aren’t we born circumcised? 

G‑d created the world imperfect, and gave us the mission to perfect it. G‑d created wheat; humans make bread. G‑d created a jungle; humans create civilization. The raw materials are given to us, and we are to use our ingenuity to improve on the world that we were born into. This is symbolized by the bris—we are born uncircumcised, and it is up to us to “finish the job.” This is also true metaphorically. We each have instincts and natural tendencies that are inborn, but need to be refined. “I was born that way” does not excuse immoral behavior: we are to cut away any negative traits, no matter how innate they may seem.

If a Brit Milah is ushering the child into the covenant why do the boys need it and not the girls?

The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 27a.) tells us that women are born “circumcised,” i.e., already possessing the additional holiness that comes with the brit milah. There is therefore no corresponding ceremony (and certainly no surgical procedure) for Jewish women.

What about after care?

You lucked out!

Rabbi Schtroks has developed a special method of bandaging the child. Such that in most cases there is zero after care required.

Hurray!

Why Wait Until the Circumcision to Name the Boy?

When a child is circumcised he is entered into G‑d's covenant with Abraham and his descendants. He joins a chain linking him to the very beginning of our nation. It is only fitting to give him his Jewish name after he has become a full-fledged member of the Jewish nation.

Perhaps another reason why we postpone naming a child until the circumcision is because the first "Jewish name" was given in conjunction with this mitzvah. As we read in Genesis (17:5, 10):

"And your name shall no longer be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham. . . . This is My covenant, which you shall observe between Me and between you and between your seed after you, that every male among you be circumcised..."

Is There a Special Baby Brit Outfit?

The circumcision ceremony is a very meaningful life passage, and as part of our expression of joy in the fulfillment of this commandment, we groom and dress the baby boy.

The baby should be dressed in fine clothing. Some say that this should be done by the mother specifically. Many refer to the circumcision ceremony as the marriage between G‑d (the bride) and the small baby (the groom). Therefore, the baby should be dressed up in festive clothing, as if for his wedding.

Some have the custom that the baby should wear a kipah, a head covering – for practical reasons, this would generally be in the form of a hat or a cap, since a traditional kipah would not stay on a newborn's head. And there are some who dress the baby in tzitzit, the ritual fringes worn by Jewish males.

Why specifically on the eighth day? 

The number seven represents nature—seven days of the week, seven colors of the rainbow, seven musical notes (do re mi, etc.); the number eight is the number that surpasses seven, and thus represents the miraculous, what is beyond nature. We do the bris on the eighth day because the Jewish people survive on miracles. Our history defies the laws of nature. We welcome a new Jewish child into this miraculous existence on the eighth day of his life, as if to say, “Expect miracles!”