Brit Milah: Difference between revisions
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==When a Brit Milah should take place== | ==When a Brit Milah should take place== | ||
# The Brit Milah is performed on the eighth day after the baby's birth.<ref>Vayikra 12:3, Tur and Shulchan Aruch 262:1</ref> It may not be performed before. If it is done before the eighth day there is a dispute after the fact and the child should have a hatafat dam brit ceremony on the eighth day.<ref>Rama Y.D. 262:1 rules that after the fact a milah before the eighth day during the day, and not the night, is acceptable. However, the Shach 262:2 disagrees and requires a | # The Brit Milah is performed on the eighth day after the baby's birth.<ref>Vayikra 12:3, Tur and Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 262:1</ref> It may not be performed before. If it is done before the eighth day there is a dispute after the fact and the child should have a hatafat dam brit ceremony on the eighth day.<ref>Rama Y.D. 262:1 rules that after the fact a milah before the eighth day during the day, and not the night, is acceptable. However, the Shach 262:2 disagrees and requires a hatafat dam brit, but that wouldn't be performed on Shabbat. Bear Heitiv 262:1 cites the Shach.</ref> It is permitted for a Jewish doctor to perform a hospital circumcision for a non-religious Jew before the eighth day.<ref>[https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/931524/rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz/from-the-rabbis-desk-hospital-circumcision/ Rabbi Lebowitz] explained that doing a milah before the eighth day might not be effective and have to do it again. But since the Rama holds it is effective it is still worthwhile to do the milah. Even if it is ineffective and they would need a hatafat dam brit later that doesn't make it forbidden to do. Since it might make the child not an arel it is permitted for the doctor to do it. They should be aware that they cut the necessary amount that it would be a valid circumcision according to the halacha, the anesthesia and the clamps used today that allow for a little bleeding wouldn't invalidate the circumcision. He concluded by quoting Rav Mordechai Willig as permitting this.</ref> | ||
# The Brit Milah may be performed any time during the day, after [[HaNetz HaChama]], however, one should make an effort to fulfill the mitzvah of Brit Milah early in the morning because of "Zarizin Makdimin LeMitzvot".<ref>Pesachim 4a says that the Brit Milah may be performed any time during the day but those who have alacrity in fulfilling mitzvot will do it early. The gemara learns this concept of Zarizin Makdimin LeMitzvot from Avraham Avinu when he went to perform the Akeda early in the morning. Shulchan Aruch | # The Brit Milah may be performed any time during the day, after [[HaNetz HaChama]], however, one should make an effort to fulfill the mitzvah of Brit Milah early in the morning because of "Zarizin Makdimin LeMitzvot".<ref>Pesachim 4a says that the Brit Milah may be performed any time during the day but those who have alacrity in fulfilling mitzvot will do it early. The gemara learns this concept of Zarizin Makdimin LeMitzvot from Avraham Avinu when he went to perform the Akeda early in the morning. Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 262:1 codifies this as halacha.</ref> | ||
# If one performed the Brit Milah before [[HaNetz HaChama]] after [[Olot HaShachar]] one fulfills one's obligation.<ref>[[Megillah]] 20a, Rama 262:1</ref> | # If one performed the Brit Milah before [[HaNetz HaChama]] after [[Olot HaShachar]] one fulfills one's obligation.<ref>[[Megillah]] 20a, Rama 262:1</ref> | ||
# If it will cause a fight among the family to perform the Brit Milah very early, one may delay it, but one should still try to make it as early as possible.<ref>Rav Mordechai Eliyahu's comment on Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 163:1</ref> | # If it will cause a fight among the family to perform the Brit Milah very early, one may delay it, but one should still try to make it as early as possible.<ref>Rav Mordechai Eliyahu's comment on Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 163:1</ref> | ||
# If there is a concern of a health risk to the baby, the Brit Milah should be delayed until the baby is healthy. Once the baby is healthy, in the case of some illnesses the Brit Milah should be performed without delay, while in other cases, the Brit Milah is only performed after 8 days after the baby became healthy.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 262:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 163:4</ref> Needless to say, because of the complexity of these issues, it is incumbent for a person to consult an Orthodox Rabbi to assess the situation. For more details about a delayed Milah, see the [[#A Delayed Milah]] section. | # If there is a concern of a health risk to the baby, the Brit Milah should be delayed until the baby is healthy. Once the baby is healthy, in the case of some illnesses the Brit Milah should be performed without delay, while in other cases, the Brit Milah is only performed after 8 days after the baby became healthy.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 262:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 163:4</ref> Needless to say, because of the complexity of these issues, it is incumbent for a person to consult an Orthodox Rabbi to assess the situation. For more details about a delayed Milah, see the [[#A Delayed Milah]] section. | ||
# If a baby is born during [[Bein HaShemashot]], since there is a doubt whether it was day or night, the Brit Milah is performed on the ninth day from the baby's birth.<ref>Shulchan Aruch | # If a baby is born during [[Bein HaShemashot]], since there is a doubt whether it was day or night, the Brit Milah is performed on the ninth day from the baby's birth.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 162:4</ref>Because of the complexity involved in practically determining [[Bein HaShemashot]] an Orthodox Rabbi should be consulted.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 163:6</ref> | ||
==Brachot for the Brit Milah== | ==Brachot for the Brit Milah== | ||
