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🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

The real threat behind Europe’s crackdown on brit milah - opinion

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Named sources Context piece
  • Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland are investigating the practice of brit milah, specifically Metzitzah B'peh (oral suction).
  • A figure named Moshe Aryeh Friedman alerted health authorities, claiming the practice endangers newborns.
  • The article argues that even with safer alternatives, the practice's visceral nature and lack of medical benefit make it difficult to defend, potentially damaging the credibility of brit milah globally.

European nations including Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland are pursuing criminal investigations into the practice of brit milah, specifically focusing on the ritual of Metzitzah B'peh, which involves oral suction. This has led to indictments and raised alarms within Jewish communities, with some drawing parallels to Nazi Germany.

direct Metzitzah B’peh is the culprit.

— Jonathan Liebermancited in the article as identifying the specific practice under scrutiny

The core issue revolves around Metzitzah B'peh, a Talmudic practice intended to draw blood and prevent infection. While not considered the essential part of the brit milah commandment, it has become deeply ingrained. Concerns about disease transmission linked to the practice emerged in the 19th century, leading to the development of safer alternatives like glass pipettes, which became the standard.

The practice is a Talmudic therapeutic innovation of drawing blood, intended to save the baby from “life-threatening danger.”

— Article textexplaining the traditional purpose of Metzitzah B'peh

Recent investigations in Europe were reportedly instigated by Moshe Aryeh Friedman, who alerted health ministries that Mohalim (practitioners of brit milah) were engaging in direct oral suction, thereby endangering newborns. The article questions whether these authorities acted solely on safety concerns or if other motivations were involved.

Mohalim were practicing direct Metzitzah B’peh, thus, in his words, endangering the lives of newborns.

— Moshe Aryeh Friedmanas reported to European Health Ministries

The author contends that while safer methods exist, the practice of direct oral suction remains viscerally off-putting and lacks medical benefit, making it difficult to justify beyond tradition. This, coupled with the visual aspect even with a tube, poses a public relations challenge. The article suggests that continuing with oral suction, direct or indirect, damages the credibility of brit milah by making it appear unsafe to the wider public, potentially leading to bans despite the use of safer alternatives.

If every Mohel were to immediately begin using a sterile tube, things would indeed be safer for those who undergo the rite, but this would not halt the impending European bans.

— HAYIM LEITERarguing that safer alternatives alone may not prevent bans
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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