How do we choose a Mohel?
I always tell my trainee Mohelim that
patience and support of the baby's parents are as important
as the circumcision itself.
The Brit Milah ritual usually takes place on the eighth day after
the baby's birth. The hospital physician confirms whether
circumcision can indeed be performed, and informs the mother of
hi or her decision upon her discharge from the hospital. If,
for some reason, a delay is required, the mother is duly informed
upon discharge.
Nowadays, a local anesthesia can be applied both during and after
circumcision, using a special ointment and sprays
(also homeopathic), and thus an injection is mostly unnecessary.
In fact, the injection hurts more than the small, precise cut,
and some babies are even allergic to the anesthetic. Injecting
the anesthetic into the vein may sometimes deform the member's
shape, thus making symmetrical cutting difficult. In any case,
the anesthetic wears off after a short while. The latest "gimmick"
is a painful intravenous anesthesia, intentionally applied away
from the crowd and the camera, so that no one can see the baby
deforming. During circumcision, all are pleasantly surprised to
see the baby not crying...
The circumcision pain adds to the injection pain, and intensifies
after the anesthetic wears off.
Indeed, it is natural to be a little apprehensive, but it has
been proven that abnormal occurrences during circumcision are
much less frequent than during either urological or plastic surgery.
A skilled Mohel performs his job well, since his accumulative
experience has made him an expert. Furthermore, he remains at
your service even after the circumcision, should any problem arive.
Preparation and Tips
What should we bring to the Brit Milah ceremony?
The Mohel will give you a list of products to bring along
(diapers, pacifier, etc.)
It is worth noting that the Brit Milah ritual has numerous
honorees. Besides the Sandak, which is the highest honor,
there are other relatives and guests you might want to honor.
I must point out that arguments over honors (who would be the Sandak)
or over the baby's name should be avoided.
What happens after the Brit Milah?
I examine the baby again, and then instruct the parents as to required
aftercare. From my experience, the parents are usually too excited to
fully concentrate on my instructions, and it is therefore recommended
to ask an additional relative to listen to the instructions.
I also personally provide parents with written instructions,
which they can read after they return home.
It is important to realize that only a doctor has the proper authority to
determine a sick baby’s state of health.
Nevertheless, the parents should not base their decision of the brit
based only on the doctor’s assessment, being that the doctor may not
always take the halachic aspect into consideration.
There are many situation in which the halacha coincides with the
medical perspective.
Question:
Could you explain what effect neo-natal jaundice has on the delay of
the brit?
Answer:
It is first crucial to understand that an important distinction must be
made between pathologic hepatitis - a result of an inflammation of the
live, and neo-natal jaundice – not a disease, but a normal phenomenon
occurring in infants caused by an immature liver. Neo-natal jaundice is
very common.
Usually the brit is only delayed a dew days, until the bilirubin level
drops to the desired level.
Question:
How must parents take care of the baby in the first days after the brit?
Answer:
The most important rule and responsibility parents must observe when
caring for a baby after the brit is hygiene and sterility.
Today’s heightened medical awareness has proven that the quick
est way to recovery is through maintaining cleanliness and sterility.
Anyone involved in the medical field knows that the first step
required is protecting the patient from infection.
This too must be adhered to strictly by the mohel and the parents,
when is comes to helping the baby recover.
Caring for the baby with scrupulous hygiene will ensure that the
baby will recover within a short time.
All creams and lotions are basically superfluous.
They are not recommended for use, because they may cause side
effects, and there are babies who are especially sensitive to certain
solutions.
However, sterilizing with a polydin solution is recommended, and is
an efficient way of cleansing.
Sometimes the mohel will recommend a cream, which he finds has
proven to promote healing. |
