The mohel is an individual who is trained in both the religious aspects of the brit milah ceremony and the medical aspects of performing a circumcision. Formerly rabbis did not want physicians to become mohels, because it was felt it would detract from the religious nature of the event. However, over the last several decades this attitude has changed and now both the Reform and Conservative movements have special programs to teach Jewish physicians the ritual involved in performance of the brit milah service so that they can serve as mohels.
Being a mohel is a great honor. It allows one to participate in a significant, joyous family event by helping parents fulfill one of the essential mitzvahs of Judaism: bringing their newborn son into the Covenant between God and the Jewish people. The mohel is supposed to be not only knowledgeable about Jewish law and skillful in performing a circumcision, but should also be a respected individual, one who is looked up to by the community. Historically, mohels have always been held in high regard, even by non-Jews. In fact, Queen Elizabeth II had the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain perform Prince Charles’s circumcision.
The mohel has several specific tasks:
- He/she is the service leader at the brit milah ceremony.
- He/she is a teacher explaining the brit milah ceremony and other Jewish traditions to parents, other family members, and guests who may not be familiar with Jewish law and ritual. The mohel also may awaken in the family the desire to pursue Jewish tradition more fully.
- The mohel fulfills the medical role of performing the circumcision safely and as painlessly as possible. By doing so in the context of the brit milah ceremony, he/she is thus the one who “puts the seal” on the child’s entrance into the Covenant between the child, the Jewish people, and God.
Because of the religious nature of the brit milah ceremony, only a Jew can function as a mohel in a kosher bris. Only in circumstances where it is impossible to find a mohel who can be available on the eighth day—perhaps in remote communities with small Jewish populations—can a non-Jewish physician perform the circumcision while a Jewish man or women recites the ritual prayers.