[Avodah] HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky's Statement On Metzitzah B'Peh - Clarification

[Prof. Levine]

 From 
<http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=28107>http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=28107 


I wish to clarify remarks that were attributed to me on the subject 
of metzitzah b'peh.

The practice is indeed time honored and is followed by the majority 
of the Orthodox Jewish community today around the world, as it has 
been for thousands of years.

To my knowledge, it has not been proven that the practice leads to 
contraction of illness. The halacha is extremely sensitive to health 
concerns and it is wrong to insinuate that Jews, who are very 
particular in the care of their children, would be engaging for 
thousands of years in a practice that is inherently dangerous.

We have a sacred responsibility to protect our children from danger 
and that responsibility is paramount. However, in the absence of an 
inherent danger in performing mitzvos or following our traditions, we 
must follow them. In my view, there has been no demonstration of an 
inherent danger associated with metzitzah b'peh.

The statement, "I don't think there is a response to them," referred 
specifically to those who allegedly said that it would be invalid to 
use a tube where there are demonstrable health issues present 
regarding either the mohel or the child.

Similarly, my comment that in my community "as far as I know they do 
metzitzah with a tube" refers to a case where a health concern has 
been established. In no manner was it intended to suggest that I 
believe that it should be universally adopted.

In no way should what I said be misconstrued as supporting the 
curbing of, or outside interference with, metzitzah b'peh. In fact, 
we have very effectively self-regulated the practice over the past 3,500 years.

Jews have made tremendous sacrifices over the millennia to properly 
observe our religious obligations and traditions. It would be a shame 
to return to the days when parents and circumcisers feared performing 
the hallowed bris, which enters every Jewish male into a covenant with G-d.

Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky


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