Bris vs. Circumcision – New Video Explains Difference

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Sholom Ber Rodal, Director of Chabad Of Mt Olympus in Hollywood Hills West, California, recently released a video emphasizing the sacred tradition of a Bris Milah.

The timing of the debut coincides with the current Parsha of Lech Lecha in which Avraham Avinu circumcised himself at the age of 99 and all the members of his household.

COLlive.com spoke to Rabbi Rodal about his project.

Why did we create this video?

Many young Jewish couples in our community grapple with the choice of whether to give their newborn sons, a brit (bris) by a qualified and trained Mohel that is performed in a Jewish ritual and family ceremony. Their other option is to have a circumcision done by a medical professional, such as a pediatrician, obstetrician, or doctor at a hospital. Sadly, many are choosing the latter option.

Why is that?

The reasons range from, concerns over the safety of the bris ritual, lack of education, a bias about the professionalism of the medical experts, fear of rabbis/mohels and religious figures, apathy to Jewish observance and a host of other anxieties and misconceptions.

So how does this video come in?

This short documentary seeks to dispel the many myths, misunderstandings, and ignorance regarding this age-old, sanctified, and treasured Jewish Mitzvah and covenant.

It seeks to influence, compel, and persuade prospective Jewish parents to see the broader picture of what a Bris has meant and means to our ancestors, our people, their parents and grandparents and themselves and their future family.

Through storytelling and interviews with a diverse group of parents, doctors, a mohel and a rabbi, the full scope of what the Bris is about is portrayed. Safety concerns are allayed, the spiritual basis for the Bris is articulated, and the journey of the hesitant parents is fully relatable.

Who are you hoping will watch it?

Everyone and anyone in the Jewish community. We want them to better appreciate the magnitude and wonder of Jewish tradition and Ritual, and to see the power and wisdom in our sacred traditions.

We of course want Jewish mothers and fathers, and future parents, who are sitting on the fence regarding brit vs. circumcision to watch it. We hope it will help them make the right decision.

In a quick sentence, what do you answer when asked about the issue?

If you want to do a circumcision because it’s the “Jewish thing to do” or because you are Jewish and that’s what Jews are supposed to do, then do it the proper way! Give your son a Bris Milah. You won’t regret it!

The timing of the release was planned?

Of course. This week we read in the Torah portion of Lech Lecha about the first Bris Milah in history when Abraham our Patriarch underwent a Bris Milah at the age of 99 years old. Next week we read in Vayaira about Isaac becoming the first Jewish baby to have a bris. His bris was performed on the eight-day from when he was born, subsequently the Jewish law to be established for all male Jewish children in the future.

Where do you go from here?

I hope that rabbis, rebbitzins, Shluchim, Shluchos, and lay leaders will share this video with community members as a powerful visual aide, and media presentation, in their ongoing efforts to inspire and help effect observance of one of the most important mitzvos of the Torah.

Any final thoughts?

I want to thank all the people that put in many months of hard work and creative effort to make this project come to fruition and make it a resounding success.

May we merit to see much nachas from our families, children, community members, and the entire Jewish people! And may we merit through the dedication and sacrifice in performing the special Mitzvah of Bris Milah, to see the revelation of Moshiach speedily in our times.

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