MOHEL
Surgery and Jewish Tradition
The Talmud teaches us that "circumcision is so important that it supersedes the Sabbath" (Talmud, Shabbat 137a). As a doctor and certified mohel, I have dedicated my life to this sacred commandment that our sages describe as "equivalent to all the other commandments combined" (Nedarim 32a).
I started in 2001 in St. Petersburg, Russia. I was a third-year medical student then, and I studied under Menachem-Mendel Freidzon, a renowned mohel. Since then I have performed brit milah in many countries and communities.
Performing the brit milah for my own firstborn son meant a great deal to me, and Rav Shimshon Eisenberger, a respected mohel, recognized my work. It also gave me a deeper understanding of the Midrash's teaching that "When one performs a brit milah, it is as if they have built an altar and offered a sacrifice upon it" (Shabbat 137b).
I continued my surgical training in the urology department at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. That training, together with my commitment to Jewish law and tradition, lets me meet both medical and halachic standards. As our sages teach, "The Holy One blessed be He gave circumcision on the eighth day out of concern for the infant's strength" (Bereishit Rabbah 46:12) - demonstrating the Torah's emphasis on both the spiritual and medical aspects of this mitzvah.
I have performed brit milah in Russia, Ukraine, Germany, China, Estonia, India, and Hong Kong, and everywhere I saw how this covenant brings Jewish communities together. In 2022 the Chief Rabbinate of Israel certified me as a mohel for adults, so I also perform brit milah for adults.
In the news:
I started in 2001 in St. Petersburg, Russia. I was a third-year medical student then, and I studied under Menachem-Mendel Freidzon, a renowned mohel. Since then I have performed brit milah in many countries and communities.
Performing the brit milah for my own firstborn son meant a great deal to me, and Rav Shimshon Eisenberger, a respected mohel, recognized my work. It also gave me a deeper understanding of the Midrash's teaching that "When one performs a brit milah, it is as if they have built an altar and offered a sacrifice upon it" (Shabbat 137b).
I continued my surgical training in the urology department at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. That training, together with my commitment to Jewish law and tradition, lets me meet both medical and halachic standards. As our sages teach, "The Holy One blessed be He gave circumcision on the eighth day out of concern for the infant's strength" (Bereishit Rabbah 46:12) - demonstrating the Torah's emphasis on both the spiritual and medical aspects of this mitzvah.
I have performed brit milah in Russia, Ukraine, Germany, China, Estonia, India, and Hong Kong, and everywhere I saw how this covenant brings Jewish communities together. In 2022 the Chief Rabbinate of Israel certified me as a mohel for adults, so I also perform brit milah for adults.
In the news:
MOHEL
Surgery and Jewish Tradition
The Talmud teaches us that "circumcision is so important that it supersedes the Sabbath" (Talmud, Shabbat 137a). As a doctor and certified mohel, I have dedicated my life to this sacred commandment that our sages describe as "equivalent to all the other commandments combined" (Nedarim 32a).
I started in 2001 in St. Petersburg, Russia. I was a third-year medical student then, and I studied under Menachem-Mendel Freidzon, a renowned mohel. Since then I have performed brit milah in many countries and communities.
Performing the brit milah for my own firstborn son meant a great deal to me, and Rav Shimshon Eisenberger, a respected mohel, recognized my work. It also gave me a deeper understanding of the Midrash's teaching that "When one performs a brit milah, it is as if they have built an altar and offered a sacrifice upon it" (Shabbat 137b).
I continued my surgical training in the urology department at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. That training, together with my commitment to Jewish law and tradition, lets me meet both medical and halachic standards. As our sages teach, "The Holy One blessed be He gave circumcision on the eighth day out of concern for the infant's strength" (Bereishit Rabbah 46:12) - demonstrating the Torah's emphasis on both the spiritual and medical aspects of this mitzvah.
I have performed brit milah in Russia, Ukraine, Germany, China, Estonia, India, and Hong Kong, and everywhere I saw how this covenant brings Jewish communities together. In 2022 the Chief Rabbinate of Israel certified me as a mohel for adults, so I also perform brit milah for adults.
In the news:
I started in 2001 in St. Petersburg, Russia. I was a third-year medical student then, and I studied under Menachem-Mendel Freidzon, a renowned mohel. Since then I have performed brit milah in many countries and communities.
Performing the brit milah for my own firstborn son meant a great deal to me, and Rav Shimshon Eisenberger, a respected mohel, recognized my work. It also gave me a deeper understanding of the Midrash's teaching that "When one performs a brit milah, it is as if they have built an altar and offered a sacrifice upon it" (Shabbat 137b).
I continued my surgical training in the urology department at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. That training, together with my commitment to Jewish law and tradition, lets me meet both medical and halachic standards. As our sages teach, "The Holy One blessed be He gave circumcision on the eighth day out of concern for the infant's strength" (Bereishit Rabbah 46:12) - demonstrating the Torah's emphasis on both the spiritual and medical aspects of this mitzvah.
I have performed brit milah in Russia, Ukraine, Germany, China, Estonia, India, and Hong Kong, and everywhere I saw how this covenant brings Jewish communities together. In 2022 the Chief Rabbinate of Israel certified me as a mohel for adults, so I also perform brit milah for adults.
In the news:
FAQ
If you don't find the answer to your question - write to me
- Brit Milah pillow (any thin pillow will do)
- Clean sheet/disposable changing mat (to cover the pillow)
- Diapers (at least 5)
- Wet wipes (pack)
- Tallit and tefillin (for the baby's father)
- A kiddush cup
- Kosher grape juice (sealed bottle)
- Pacifier - 2 pcs
- Polydine liquid (povidone-iodine solution, תמיסה)
- Bepanthen Plus ointment
- Hydrogen peroxide (מי חמצן): two 100 ml bottles
- Dress the baby in a two-piece outfit (pants and a top)
- Feed the baby about half an hour before the brit.
- Sandak
- Kvater
- Al hakise
- Min hakise
- Amida lebrachot
- Brachot
- On the day of the circumcision, do not remove the bandage. Carefully clean the area around it with wet wipes.
- The next day, from morning until afternoon, drip polydine solution on the bandage every hour.
- In the afternoon, bathe the baby in the tub.
- The bandage usually comes off while bathing.
- After the bath, cover the entire surface of the wound or dressing with ointment.
- For the first two days after the circumcision, don't pull or rip off the bandage. Apply the ointment directly over it.
- After two days, you can try a little harder to take the bandage off.
- Following halacha, I do not give infants anesthetic injections. I use a spray instead to keep the baby comfortable during the procedure.
IF YOU DID NOT FIND THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION...
AND ON THE EIGHTH DAY, THE FLESH OF HIS FORESKIN SHALL BE CIRCUMCISED.
Vayikra, 12:3