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Everything you always wanted to know about Judaism,
but were too afraid to ask!
New questions and answers will be added to this page
on a regular basis, so please remember to return here.
Have your Halacha questions answered. (Use the link
below to ask your own questions. Please state if you
would like a personal reply and ensure you include your
email address.)
Please note that previous questions answered
by Rabbi Livingstone are suffixed by
RL. New questions answered by Rabbi
Anthony are suffixed by RA.
Email
to your new questions to Rabbi Anthony
Questions about the Jewish
life cycle, in no particular order.
My wife
is pregnant and we have been told that we are
having a boy. The only thing is, I’m a
bit worried about the bris as I’m quite
squeamish. Am I obliged to look while the mohel
is doing the snip?
In the circumstances, you are certainly not
required to watch while the procedure takes
place! In fact, you would probably be doing
your little fellow a profound disservice if
you get sick or faint. The reason people have
this idea is probably due to the fact that the
Mohel is acting as the agent of the father.
Theoretically it is your personal duty to carry
out the mitzvah. But if you are unequipped or
unable technically to do so, then it may be
delegated to someone else. This requires that
you formally appoint the Mohel and, if possible,
oversee his work. In your case, it is sufficient
simply to ask him to do the job!
I should add that it is neither mandatory nor
a mitzvah for anyone directly to watch the Brit
take place, particularly young children and
squeamish relatives! RL
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