By Rabbi Avraham Granat
On Sunday, 26th Cheshvan 5780, coinciding with the annual Kinus Hashluchim, the second annual gathering of Lubavitcher Mohalim was held.
The gathering was organized by Rabbi Yochanon Klein, a mohel and director of Healing Hearts, a Bikur Cholim organization in Florida, and moderated by Rabbi Levi Heber. The 25+ Mohalim in attendance were addressed by halachic authorities and medical experts in matters relevant to the practice of bris milah amongst their diverse communities.
The program opened with divrei bracha and halacha from Dayan Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Raskin, who presented an array of halachic issues critical to the holy practice of milah in our complex times.
This was followed with a fascinating and erudite presentation entitled “Bris Milah: What every Urologist needs to know” exploring pediatric urologic surgical techniques used in the bris setting by Dr. Jeffrey Stock MD, Chief, Section of Pediatric Urology, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital.
Rabbi Yosef Feigelstock, Rov and director of The Union of Orthodox Rabbis of Argentina – Buenos Aires, addressed the importance, challenges and methods of birur Yahadus for mohalim.
To conclude the program, Dr. Avi Rosenberg, pediatric/renal pathologist and mohel and advisor to many mohalim for medically complicated brissim, spoke about the growing medical complexity that mohalim face and considerations in timing the bris relative to the babies medical state.
Over the course of the nearly 3 hour-long program, the mission of the conference was achieved and perhaps surpassed ensuring that the practice of bris milah continues at the highest halachic and medical standards.
The discussions were dynamic and engaging with attendees sharing their practical challenges and receiving direction from the presenters and their colleagues in the audience. Mohalim departed to their respective locations around the world with a renewed vigor to continue their holy work in linking future generations to the ancient covenant of our forefathers.
