Halachah 1 — Who May Perform Circumcision and With What
Circumcision may be performed by anyone:
- even an uncircumcised person,
- a slave,
- a woman,
- or a minor,
if no qualified adult male is present.
A gentile should not perform it, but if he did, the circumcision remains valid.
Circumcision may be performed using:
- any cutting instrument (e.g., stone, glass),
- but not a reed due to danger.
The preferred method is with an iron instrument, and the accepted custom is a knife.
Halachah 2 — The Three Stages of Circumcision
Circumcision consists of three essential stages:
- Milah – cutting away the foreskin covering the crown.
- Peri’ah – splitting and peeling back the underlying membrane.
- Metzitzah – suctioning blood from the wound to prevent danger.
Failure to perform metzitzah disqualifies the mohel from practice.
Afterwards, a bandage or compress is applied.
Halachah 3 — Remaining Flesh (Tzitzin)
There are two types of remaining flesh:
- Disqualifying tzitzin: covering most of the crown → the child is still considered uncircumcised.
- Non‑disqualifying tzitzin: small remnants not covering most of the crown.
Halachah 4 — Removing Tzitzin
While engaged in circumcision:
- both disqualifying and non‑disqualifying tzitzin should be removed.
After interruption:
- only disqualifying tzitzin must be removed.
A circumcision without peri’ah is invalid.
Halachah 5 — Appearance of Uncircumcision
If due to loose or excess flesh it appears the child is uncircumcised:
- examine during erection.
If it appears circumcised → no further action required.
If not → corrective procedure to expose the crown.
This second correction is Rabbinic, not required by Torah law.
Halachah 6 — Circumcision on Shabbat
When performed at the proper time, actions necessary for circumcision may be done on Shabbat:
- milah, peri’ah, metzitzah,
- removal of tzitzin,
- applying bandages.
However, preparatory activities (e.g., making or transporting tools) do not override Shabbat prohibitions.
Halachah 7 — Preparation Limitations
On Shabbat, one may not:
- grind herbs,
- prepare bandages or mixtures,
- heat water.
If not prepared before Shabbat:
- minimal substitutes may be used (e.g., chewing cumin).
If preparation was neglected, circumcision is delayed to the 9th day.
Halachah 8 — Post‑Circumcision Danger
If a medically necessary element (e.g., water, compress) becomes unavailable after circumcision, one may perform necessary actions on Shabbat due to danger.
A child may be washed:
- on the day of circumcision,
- and the third day, even with hot water.
Halachah 9 — Instructing a Gentile
If a tool (e.g., knife) was forgotten:
- one may instruct a gentile to bring it in a way that avoids full Torah prohibition (not through public domain).
Rule:
- A gentile may perform a Rabbinically prohibited act for a mitzvah,
- but not a full Torah‑level prohibition.
Halachah 10 — Circumcision and Festivals
Preparation for circumcision does not override Yom Tov, as it could be done beforehand.
However, certain actions (e.g., grinding herbs for food‑use, mixing liquids) are permitted due to festival leniencies.
Core Principle of the Chapter
This chapter defines circumcision as a process requiring:
- precise halachic procedure,
- skilled execution,
- and medical awareness.
At the same time, it reinforces a central Torah principle:
Even the most sacred mitzvot are carefully balanced with safety and preparation requirements—only essential mitzvah actions override prohibitions, not avoidable preparations.
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