The Surgery of Ritual Circumcision

This compact guide offers a clear, practical introduction to the medical side of the ancient Jewish rite of circumcision. Written at a time when antiseptic techniques were reshaping surgery, it aims to equip anyone performing the ceremony—with or without formal medical training—with a solid grounding in modern hygiene. The author, a seasoned physician, frames the ritual as a delicate procedure that demands the same rigor as any surgical operation.

The opening chapters delve into how wounds become infected, describing the invisible microbes that can turn a simple cut into a serious health threat. Readers learn why meticulous cleaning of the infant, instruments, and the practitioner’s hands is essential, and they are introduced to the basic principles of asepsis that were revolutionary in the early twentieth century. With straightforward explanations and a focus on everyday precautions, the book bridges tradition and science, making the responsibilities of the Mohel both understandable and manageable.