Why A Mohel?

Doctors vs. Ritual Circumcision

Traditionally, parents engage a professional mohel to perform the bris. A mohel is a person who is specially trained in the medical and surgical techniques of circumcision. A mohel’s expertise is held in such high esteem that doctors and surgeons frequently seek a mohel’s guidance and advice when dealing with very serious and difficult cases.

Mohels are also sought by the non-Jewish community for their expertise in circumcision, as they perform the procedure in a much more rapid and less painful manner than the standard hospital or doctor’s office procedure. A circumcision performed in a hospital or doctor’s office typically involves an anesthetic injection that is more painful than the entire procedure performed by a mohel.

Additionally, in a hospital, the procedure can take up to 30 minutes while a mohel’s procedure generally takes under a minute! A bris may not be performed before the baby is 8 days old and should be performed by a Jewish mohel who understands, upholds, and practices the tenets of the Jewish religion. An expert mohel is a specialist in his field and performs many more circumcisions than doctors.

After 4 girls we were quite excited and anxious to celebrate our son’s bris. We had already been to dozens of brisses that Rabbi Avraham Rappaport performed so we had nothing to be concerned about. He was so patient, calm and reassuring and visited us at our home before after the bris. The procedure was completed before I even realized he actually did it. He is absolutely “a cut above the rest!”

Meghann and Ben SchwartzHollywood, FL

I was delighted to be present at a bris performed by Rabbi Avraham Rappaport. The couple was from Israel and spoke fluent Hebrew, but many of the guests were American with no knowledge of Hebrew. Rabbi Rappaport made all present feel at ease with his humor and caring demeanor. He switched back and forth from Hebrew to English so everyone present was aware of the importance of this ceremony. His skill and speed during the ceremony was also evident. If I ever have another boy, I would be honored to have Rabbi Rappaport perform the bris.

Michelle Spector M.D.
F.A.C.O.G. (Obstetrician-Gynecologist)

Our community was left spellbound by Rabbi Avraham Rappaport’s bris ceremony for our baby boy, Simon. He truly made us feel comfortable with the entire procedure and before we knew it Simon was quiet and peaceful, and the bris was over. We highly recommend you speak to Rabbi Rappaport when planning for your son’s bris. You will be as delighted as we were.

Rachel and David Schecter
Montreal, Canada