1. Mohel: Who Is A Qualified Mohel?
A mohel is an expert in the surgical aspects of circumcision as well as knowledgeable in the laws and customs pertaining to a traditional circumcision and ceremony. A mohel is a person who is certified to be capable and knowledgeable in both the surgical aspects of performing circumcision as well as the traditional aspects of performing a kosher circumcision and the traditional ceremony.
2. Mohel: Who Must Do The Circumcision?
The Torah (Jewish Bible) places the primary obligation of performing the traditional circumcision on the father.
However, if he himself is not a qualified mohel, he then can delegate a qualified mohel to be his agent to perform the traditional circumcision for him.
3. Mohel: Who Was The First Mohel?
The sacred practice of traditional circumcision was first performed by the Jewish Patriarch Abraham, who was his own mohel, and the tradition has continued in every generation of Jewish people.
4. Mohel: Who Is Not A Traditional Mohel?
Today, there are many Jewish children circumcised by the doctor in the hospital two days after birth. However, our tradition teaches us that the circumcision should be performed on the eighth day and only by a qualified mohel.
5. Mohel: On Which Day Will The Mohel Perform The Circumcision?
If the baby was born in good health then the proper day is the eighth day. Therefore, if a baby was born on Sunday at 1:00pm , the mohel should perform the circumcision on the following Sunday at anytime between sunrise and sunset. Babies born through a cesarean delivery are not circumcised on Saturday (the Jewish Sabbath). If the baby is unwell, then the mohel should postpone the circumcision for one week after the baby is declared by his physician to be in good health. When there is doubt, the mohel should always air on the side of caution.
6. Mohel: When Will The Mohel Postpone the Circumcision?
In case of an issue regarding the health of the newborn baby, the circumcision is postponed until a week after the child has completely recovered as determined by his physician in consultation with the mohel. If the baby is jaundice (which may be noticed by a yellowish color in the face and upper body) then sometimes the circumcision is postponed. Where issues of health arise, the mohel should consult with the doctor.
7. Mohel: Where Will The Mohel Perform The Circumcision?
A circumcision (Bris Milah) may be done in any suitable location. Usually people choose to have the mohel perform the circumcision in their home, synagogue, or in a catering establishment.
8. Mohel: What does the Mohel receive for performing the Religious Bris ceremony?
The amount of compensation a Mohel receives for performing a Religious circumcision ceremony (Bris Milah) varies from mohel to mohel. Rabbi Boruch Mozes does not refuse a circumcision (Bris Milah) because of a person's inability to compensate for it.
9. Mohel: Is Rabbi Mozes An Experienced Mohel?
Rabbi Boruch Mozes is an experienced certified mohel who has been performing circumcision (Bris Milah) in New York , New Jersey , Pennsylvania , and Connecticut for many years. In addition, he can connect you with a mohel in many communities throughout the United States . He does travel and has performed circumcision in Massachusetts as well as flown to Canada to perform circumcisions.
10. Mohel: Can A Mohel Do Adult Circumcision?
There are experienced mohels who do perform adult circumcision.
Aside from performing traditional circumcision on newborn children, Rabbi Mozes can also be a mohel for older children and adults.
For more information on an adult Bris by Rabbi Mozes, please click here.
11. Mohel: Which Surgical Methods Does A Mohel Use?
There are various methods available for performing circumcision. Please see our page “Surgical Procedure”. Rabbi Boruch Mozes is a mohel who employs the traditional method to perform the circumcision procedure, using a shield which may also be called a guard.
This method is arguably the fastest way to perform the circumcision procedure, as well as the most gentle for the child.
In certain instances due to the various physical characteristics, the mohel must use other surgical methods to perform the circumcision.
On our Circumcision Procedure page, we also list a surgical method for performing adult circumcision.
12. Mohel: Will A mohel perform the circumcision if our family is not religious?
Rabbi Boruch Mozes believes that each and every Jewish child is entitled to a proper traditional circumcision by a qualified mohel regardless of the family’s level of religious observance.
13. Mohel: How Do I Locate A Mohel In My Area?
There are many people who live in locations where they cannot find a qualified mohel to perform traditional circumcision on their newborn baby boy.
In some cases there is no qualified mohel to perform circumcision where they live. In other cases there may be a qualified mohel for circumcision in their area, but the family of the newborn baby boy does not know of the mohel and/or does not know how to contact the mohel.
Rabbi Boruch Mozes may be able to help, by giving contact information for a Rabbi or mohel in various communities throughout the country. In many cases the Rabbi will be able to guide you to a mohel who can perform the circumcision.
Rabbi Mozes can not and does not assume responsibility or liability for such information. It is up to the family to do the proper research and make sure they are obtaining the services of a qualified experienced mohel.
Rabbi Mozes has traveled great distances to be the mohel for circumcision and may be contacted about traveling out to distant locations to perform a traditional circumcision.
14. Mohel: How do I choose a mohel?
When choosing a mohel, it is important to realize that you need an experienced professional in the surgical aspects as well as in the religious aspects of performing a traditional Jewish ceremony. Many mohels will provide you with testimonials and references from people who are familiar with them. It is also important to speak to the mohel and see that you are comfortable dealing with him. For testimonials from people who are familiar with Rabbi Mozes’s services as a mohel, please go to our Testimonials page.
15. Mohel: When do I contact the mohel?
To schedule and reserve a mohel to perform the bris, the mohel should be contacted as soon as possible after the baby is born. Many people contact the mohel well before the baby is born in order to decide which mohel to use, and also to become familiar with the many details involved in a Jewish circumcision (Bris Milah) and ceremony.
16. Mohel: Can the mohel help choose a Hebrew name?
A mohel can be very helpful in helping the parents decide which Hebrew name to give the baby. Naming the baby is sometimes one of the more difficult decisions confronting his parents and a mohel can often be helpful in insuring that everyone is comfortable with the name. Please feel free to contact Rabbi Mozes about this topic.
17. Mohel: What time will the mohel perform the circumcision?
The mohel must perform the circumcision on the eighth day, during the daytime, at anytime between sunrise and sunset. After it is known exactly which day the circumcision will take place, then the parents and the mohel decide on a time that works well for both of them.
18. Mohel: Do I need a Rabbi besides the mohel?
It is not necessary to have a Rabbi at the bris. An experienced mohel is generally also familiar with conducting the entire ceremony.
19. Mohel: Do I have to watch the mohel perform the circumcision procedure?
It is not obligatory to watch the mohel perform the circumcision procedure. It is the experience of Rabbi Mozes that some mothers choose not to be present when the mohel performs the circumcision procedure. This is perfectly acceptable.
20. Mohel: Which supplies do I need to have for the mohel?
Being that the supplies list varies from mohel to mohel, it is important to ask your mohel which supplies he wants you to have available for him. To see a list of supplies which Rabbi Mozes requests, please go to our “Supplies list page”.
21. Mohel: Can you explain the recovery process when circumcision is done by a mohel?
It is the experience of Rabbi Mozes that the recovery process from a bris performed by a mohel is gentle and smooth. After the circumcision the mohel should give the parents instructions about after-care. It is the experience of Rabbi Mozes that most babies resume their normal pre-circumcision routine soon after the circumcision.
22. Mohel: Is the third day after a bris performed by a by a mohel the most painful?
It is the experience of Rabbi Mozes that the third day is not painful at all, and that most babies resume their normal pre-circumcision routine soon after the circumcision.
23. Mohel: When will a mohel perform the circumcision (Bris Milah) on a baby delivered through a C-section?
Assuming that the baby is in good health, then the mohel will perform the bris on the eighth day. The only exception to this rule is when the C-section occurred on the Sabbath or Jewish holiday. In such a case, the bris is postponed to the next weekday. Therefore a baby born on the Sabbath would have his bris performed by a mohel on Sunday which is the ninth day.
24. Mohel: Does a mohel perform a circumcision (Bris Milah) on a convert?
One of the main steps of undergoing a Jewish conversion is having a circumcision. This circumcision is done by a mohel. If the conversion is being done on an older convert, then it is necessary to have a mohel who is trained and experienced with circumcision on older children and adults. Rabbi Mozes is a mohel with such experience.
25. Mohel: When does the mohel draw only a drop of blood?
In cases when the person undergoing a Jewish circumcision has already been circumcised, then it is only necessary to release a drop of blood. This is often the case when the convert has already been circumcised.
26. Mohel: Will a mohel perform circumcision on a Non-Jewish child adopted by Jewish parents?
If it is the intention of the parents to raise the child as a Jew, then a mohel could perform such circumcision. As this is a complex issue, it is important to contact the mohel and discuss such a circumcision with him.
27. Mohel: Can the mohel perform the circumcision (Bris Milah) in a hospital?
Generally the circumcision ceremony is a family event performed in a home, catering establishment, or synagogue. There are some medical conditions which could require the circumcision to be performed in the hospital.
28. Mohel NJ: Is Rabbi Mozes a Mohel who performs circumcision (Bris Milah) in New Jersey?
Rabbi Mozes has been the Mohel for many Bris circumcisions throughout the state of New Jersey. A large percentage of his work as a Mohel is in the state of New Jersey, including North Jersey and Central Jersey. He is a Mohel who has many New Jersey families that have been completely satisfied with his services as a Mohel. Many of New Jersey’s leading Rabbis and doctors recommend him as a Mohel for Bris circumcision. He also has experience as a Mohel performing Bris Ceremonies on children in Hackensack Medical Center, located in Hackensack NJ. For a list of New Jersey (NJ) locations where Rabbi Mozes has performed a Bris circumcision ceremony, please click here...
29. Mohel NYC: Is Rabbi Mozes a New York City mohel who performs Bris circumcisions (Bris Milah) in Manhattan in NYC?
Rabbi Mozes has been a New York City Mohel for many Bris circumcision ceremonies in Manhattan and throughout New York City. He is a mohel with numerous Manhattan, New York City families that have been completely satisfied with his services as a mohel. He also is a mohel for Bris procedures in the entire NYC tri-state region. In addition, he has experience as a mohel in Weill-Cornell Medical Center located in Manhattan in NYC.
30. Mohel NY: Is Rabbi Mozes a mohel who performs circumcisions (Bris Milah) in New York?
Rabbi Mozes has been the mohel for many circumcisions throughout the state of New York. A large percentage of his work as a mohel is in the state of New York, including New York City, Upstate New York, and Downstate New York. He is a mohel who has many families that have been completely satisfied with his services as a mohel. Many of New York’s leading Rabbis and doctors recommend him as a mohel for Bris circumcision. For a list of New York (NY) locations where Rabbi Mozes has performed a Bris circumcision ceremony, please click here...
31. Mohel PA: Is Rabbi Mozes a mohel who performs circumcision (Bris Milah) in the state of Pennsylvania?
Rabbi Mozes has been the mohel for many circumcisions throughout the state of Pennsylvania. A large percentage of his work as a mohel is in the state of Pennsylvania including many Pennsylvania hospitals. He is a mohel who has many families that have been completely satisfied with his services as a mohel. Many of Pennsylvania’s leading Rabbis and doctors recommend him as a mohel for Bris circumcision. For a list of Pennsylvania (PA) locations where Rabbi Mozes has performed a Bris circumcision ceremony, please click here...
32. Mohel CT: Is Rabbi Mozes a mohel who performs circumcision (Bris Milah) in the state of Connecticut?
Rabbi Mozes has been the mohel for circumcisions in the state of Connecticut. He is a mohel who has many families that have been completely satisfied with his services as a mohel. For a list of Connecticut (CT) locations where Rabbi Mozes has performed a Bris circumcision ceremony, please click here...
33. Mohel DE: Is Rabbi Mozes a mohel who performs circumcision (Bris Milah) in the state of Delaware?
Rabbi Mozes has been the mohel for circumcisions in the state of Delaware. He is a mohel who has manyfamilies that have been completely satisfied with his services as a mohel. For the location in Delaware (DE) where Rabbi Mozes has performed a Bris circumcision ceremony, please click here...
34. Mohel FL: Is Rabbi Mozes a mohel who performs circumcision (Bris Milah) in the state of Florida?
Rabbi Mozes has been the mohel for circumcisions in the state of Florida. He is a mohel who has manyfamilies that have been completely satisfied with his services as a mohel. For the location in Florida (FL) where Rabbi Mozes has performed a Bris circumcision ceremony, please click here...
35. Mohel MD: Is Rabbi Mozes a mohel who performs circumcision (Bris Milah) in the state of Maryland?
Rabbi Mozes has been the mohel for circumcisions in the state of Maryland. He is a mohel who has many families that have been completely satisfied with his services as a mohel. For the location in Maryland (MD) where Rabbi Mozes has performed a Bris circumcision ceremony, please click here...
36. Mohel MA: Is Rabbi Mozes a mohel who performs circumcision (Bris Milah) in the state of Massachusetts?
Rabbi Mozes has been the mohel for circumcisions in the state of Massachusetts. He is a mohel who has manyfamilies that have been completely satisfied with his services as a mohel. For the location in Massachusetts (MA) where Rabbi Mozes has performed a Bris circumcision ceremony, please click here...
37. Mohel SC: Is Rabbi Mozes a mohel who performs circumcision (Bris Milah) in the state of South Carolina?
Rabbi Mozes has been the mohel for circumcisions in the state of South Carolina. He is a mohel who has many families that have been completely satisfied with his services as a mohel. For the location in South Carolina (SC) where Rabbi Mozes has performed a Bris circumcision ceremony, please click here...
38. Mohel TX: Is Rabbi Mozes a mohel who performs circumcision (Bris Milah) in the state of Texas?
Rabbi Mozes has been the mohel for circumcisions in the state of Texas. He is a mohel who has manyfamilies that have been completely satisfied with his services as a mohel. For the location in Texas (TX) where Rabbi Mozes has performed a Bris circumcision ceremony, please click here...
39. Mohel UT: Is Rabbi Mozes a mohel who performs circumcision (Bris Milah) in the state of Utah?
Rabbi Mozes has been the mohel for circumcisions in the state of Utah. He is a mohel who has many familiesthat have been completely satisfied with his services as a mohel. For the location in Utah (UT) where Rabbi Mozes has performed a Bris circumcision ceremony, please click here...
40. Mohel VA: Is Rabbi Mozes a mohel who performs circumcision (Bris Milah) in the state of Virginia?
Rabbi Mozes has been the mohel for circumcisions in the state of Virginia. He is a mohel who has manyfamilies that have been completely satisfied with his services as a mohel. For the location in Virginia (VA) where Rabbi Mozes has performed a Bris circumcision ceremony, please click here...