1. When is the brit milah performed?

2. What is to be done if the physician says the brit should be postponed?

3. How does one choose a mohel (the person who performs the procedure)?

4. How much should one pay the mohel?

5. Should the mohel come to check the baby before and/or after the brit?

6. What should we bring to the brit?

7. What warning signs should we watch for after the brit?

1. When is the brit milah performed?
If there is no medical reason to postpone it, the brit milah ceremony should take place on the eighth day of the baby’s life – even if the eighth day is a shabbat or holiday. The day of birth is counted as the first day, so if a baby if born on a Sunday, for example, the brit will be on the following Sunday. If he was born on shabbat, the brit will be on shabbat. There are some cases, however, where the brit for a baby born on shabbat will be postponed to Sunday. Among them: * If the baby was born by Caesarian section * If the baby was born with no foreskin (as is the case approximately 7% of the time. In such cases, the mohel does only a symbolic skin-prick ). * If the baby was born Friday evening after sunset but before dark, or after sunset towards the end of shabbat. * If the baby’s mother had begun (but not yet completed) the conversion process. * If the mohel or a physician says there are medical reasons to postpone. (back)

     
2. What is to be done if the physician says the brit should be postponed?
Medical considerations are of prime importance in the halacha (Jewish law), so if the brit would be dangerous for the baby, it is postponed until the baby is healthy enough to undergo it. Among the most common medical reasons for postponing a brit are: * premature birth (before the 37th week of pregnancy) * small size (weighing less than 2.5 kg) * jaundice * fever.(back)

3. How does one choose a mohel (the person who performs the procedure)?
There are a number of different kinds of mohalim in Israel. Some have been trained privately by veteran mohalim, but have no government license. Others have been licensed by an inter-ministerial supervisory commission comprised of representatives of the Health Ministry and the Chief Rabbinate. A licensed mohel with a great deal of experience and who then passes rigorous exams can qualify to become a “mohel mumcheh” (mohel specialist). We strongly advise that you choose a licensed mohel or a mohel mumcheh. There are, of course, physicians who perform a brit, yet you should remember that an M.D. degree does not in itself qualify someone to be a mohel, and is no substitute for experience in performing the procedure. If you do ask a physician to be the mohel, be sure that he has both the medical and halachic expertise that is required. (back)

4. How much should one pay the mohel?
The standard fee for a licensed mohel is NIS 750 and NIS 1,000 for a mohel mumcheh. Some mohalim, however, expect to be paid NIS 1,500 or NIS 2,000. Physician-mohalim often charge NIS 2,000 - 2,500. A few mohalim fulfill the mitsva free of charge.(back)

5. Should the mohel come to check the baby before and/or after the brit?
Yes. Make sure the mohel intends to see the baby well before the brit to be sure the baby is healthy. Ask if he will also come to the house after the brit to remove the bandage (if any) and be sure everything is healing properly. (This house call is mandated by licensing guidelines, and is included in the fee to the mohel.) (back)

6. What should we bring to the brit?
a. A pillow on which to carry the baby. Some stores sell special pillows with an embroidered pillowcase. It is also perfectly acceptable to use a regular pillow with a nice white pillowcase. (Some families have embroidered brit pillows as heirlooms.) b. Two talitot (prayer shawls). At any given time during the ceremony, two of the following functionaries may wear a talit: the mohel, the baby’s father, the sandak (who holds the baby during the procedure), the man who recites the blessing when giving the name, and the man who holds the baby during the blessing. c. Wine and wine cup. As at many festive occasions, the blessing said when giving the name is made over a cup of wine. Be sure the wine is kosher, and ask the mohel or other observant Jew to open the bottle. Sweet wine is recommended, since the baby may be given a taste to help him relax. d. Kisseh shel Eliahu (Elijah’s Chair). It is helpful to the mohel if the sandak sits on a tall chair with a high footrest while holding the baby. Many Sepharadi synagogues have such a special chair that they may rent or lend out. They call it “Elijah’s Chair”, since Elijah the Prophet is said to attend every brit. (In Ashkenazi communities the tall chair has no special name, and “Elijah’s Chair” is a moderately adorned, separate chair on which the baby is placed before – but not during – the procedure.) e. Fragrant herbs. It is a custom in Sepharadi communities to distribute and enjoy fragrant herbs at a brit, just as is done at havdala at the end of shabbat. Although myrtle branches and rosemary are most common, any fresh, unprocessed fragrant herb may be used. f. The baby’s case. Pack a case with what the baby will need: four cloth diapers and at least 5 disposable diapers, baby-wipes, a bottle to settle him down after the procedure, and a change of clothes. g. Medical supplies. Ask the mohel what medical supplies you should prepare. He probably will recommend a disinfectant, an antibiotic cream, liquid painkiller, gauze pads, disinfectant soap, zinc oxide cream, etc. h. Festive cloth diaper (“wimpel”). Some communities (notably German Jewish communities) embroider a special cloth, called a “wimpel” for the baby’s brit. After the brit, the wimple is often used as the tie-around cloth for a Torah scroll. (back)

7. What warning signs should we watch for after the brit?
Guidelines call for the mohel to stay with the baby for at least 30 minutes after the procedure. He will make sure there is no excessive bleeding and that the bandages are fitted properly. Later, the parents should watch the baby to be sure he is acting normally. Be sure that the bandage (if there is one) is not blocking a free flow of urine. If the baby has not urinated within three or four hours of the brit, call the mohel. If bleeding has not stopped, if the baby runs a fever of 38⁰ (100.4⁰ Fahrenheit), if the baby becomes unusually pale, listless or restless, seek medical help immediately. These conditions are very rare when a licensed mohel performs the procedure. But even if they do occur, they can almost always be remedied simply by a competent medical facility. (back)