By COLlive reporter
Photo Credit: JDN
Mohalim from across the greater New York area gathered at the Ateres Golda Ballroom in Boro Park this past Sunday to discuss lessons learned from the legal challenge to their centuries-old tradition.
The seminar organized by the Vaad Mishmeres Habris brought together representatives of Chabad, Satmar and Aguda who are plaintiffs in a legal action that successfully rescinded former mayor
Present from Crown Heights were mohalim Rabbi Eliyahu Shain, Rabbi Levi Heber and Rabbi Yisroel Heller.
Yerachmiel Simins, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, addressed the Mohalim and emphasized the importance to implement best practices of Metzitza B’peh when handling a newborn.
Simins discussed the best practices of infant care are for Mohalim, parents and caregivers. He also made it clear that “to date there has not been even one case of neonatal Herpes linked to a Mohel performing Metzitza B’peh.”
The Rockland County Health Department, in close cooperation with the Orthodox Jewish community, has recently studied 3 cases of neonatal Herpes with lesions in the bris area. DNA analysis was used to determine if there was any link between the Mohel and the infected baby.
In two cases, it was definitively determined that there was no link between the Mohel and the baby. The third case was inconclusive.
From the Rockland County study, it is clear that there is a transmission of Herpes to the Bris area in ways other than through the Mohel performing Metzitza B’peh, he said.
Simins noted that “it is imperative that measures be instituted to prevent all cases of Herpes transmission to babies, whether by the Mohel, parents or caregivers.” He added “our goal is to prevent all transition so not even one child would become infected.”
Dr. Daniel Berman an infectious disease specialist was on hand to answer questions on the herpes virus and offered steps to help minimize the risk of transition.
Rabbi Levi Heber, who heads the International Bris Association and is a plaintiff organization, was nominated to be part of an Ichud Hamohalim committee to help formulate some of the best practices for Mohalim.
Surely the STD is only transmitted to the child if the mohel has it… Would it not be prudent to require the mohel to furnish a doctor’s certificate attesting that they are not carriers?
Surely this would be acceptable to all?
Appreciate any answers out there…
more like millenia-old
do not turn this into an ant semitic issue, that would be unnecessary melodrama and ambulance chasing.
Many have the Mesorah of MBP, including ourselves.
There are those who do not necessarily follow this Mesorah they are no less Frum.
Many in the Kehilla of the Chasam Sofer utilized a pipet.
The evidence demonstrates that there is no problem or issue whatsoever, as does the thousands of years of this custom without mention of any such visible infection resulting. Therefore: To suggest that Mohelim should do anything different than they have been doing for thousands of years (“best practice”) is entirely foolish. Mohelim need only continue to perform Hashem’s Mitzvos without fear of or concern for the klipos (albethey pretending to be concerned) that seek to intervene in Yiddishe inyonim. Know that “they” seek only to engrandize themselves by setting themselves as contenders opposite Shluchei HKB”H. The only thing to do… Read more »
Standards amongst mohelim are long overdue. Glad this is finally being implemented. It is a positive step to help ease parent concerns and will keep the health dept. at bay.
Sad to see that outside the chasidk velt, there wasn’t much representation.
Great to see the best Mohel in the world right up front. Thank you Rabbi Shain for representing Chabad. When the Rebbe was asked who is a good Mohel, the Rebbe answered that he hears that Rabbi Shain is a Mumcha.
Where is rabbi levi heber
The fight against metzitza b’peh is a shas shmad and we must be willing to sacrifice everything to keep up our Jewish practice.
Harav Heller is an exceptional person, besides for being one of the biggest Mohalim and very big Talmid Chachom he also helps many ppl in our community with advice Chizuk shiurim, may Hashem bless him. With. All that he needs!
its great to see many of the chassidic sects (in particular Satmar and Lubavitch) coming together!