mohel

A mohel is a person trained to perform brit milah, the Jewish ritual circumcision of male infants. The term derives from Hebrew and Yiddish and literally means “circumciser.” Brit milah, performed on the eighth day after birth (health permitting), is a covenant described in the Torah and practiced across many Jewish communities. The mohel’s role is to perform the circumcision in accordance with Jewish law and to guide the family through the ritual.

Training and scope: In most communities the mohel is a professional with both halachic knowledge and surgical skill. Some mohalim are physicians or surgeons who practice as mohalim; others are rabbis or lay specialists trained in both Jewish law and circumcision technique. Practices vary by denomination: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform communities may differ in requirements for ordination and in who may perform the rite.

Procedure and blessings: The ceremony typically takes place with family or witnesses present, in a home, synagogue, or hospital. The mohel recites blessings and performs the milah, often using one of several standardized devices to expose and remove the foreskin. Afterward, customary rituals and a naming ceremony may follow.

Metzitzah b’peh and safety considerations: In some communities the mohel performs metzitzah b’peh, the direct oral suction of the wound, a practice that has drawn public health concern and regulatory scrutiny in some jurisdictions. Alternatives include sterile suction devices or other techniques. Laws and norms regarding the practice vary by country and locality, and many mohalim follow guidelines intended to reduce risk while preserving religious requirements.