From the Rav’s Desk Wednesday 13th Kisleiv: May One Who Is Not Circumcised Receive an Aliyah?

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May One Who Is Not Circumcised Receive an Aliyah?

Question:

Rabbi, I was raised in a secular home in Russia and have not yet undergone a Bris Milah for personal reasons—not because I oppose the mitzvah, but due to circumstances beyond my control. I deeply respect the Torah and would like to know if I am permitted to receive an Aliyah during the Torah reading even though I am currently uncircumcised?

Answer:

The Poskim rule that if a person is uncircumcised and adamantly refuses to undergo circumcision, they should not be called for an Aliyah. However, if the individual is not opposed to circumcision and simply has not yet done so for other reasons, they may receive an Aliyah. Thus, in your case—where you respect the mitzvah and intend to fulfill it when possible—the Poskim permit you to receive an Aliyah.

Explanation:

Halacha generally rules that even a person who is a rasha (wicked individual) may be called to the Torah for an Aliyah. The fact that someone is sinful does not automatically disqualify them from this honor. However, the Poskim clarify that this applies only when the person’s wickedness is not publicly known and does not constitute an open rejection of fundamental mitzvos.

In the case of Brit Milah, if someone adamantly refuses circumcision as a matter of principle, this is considered a publicized rejection of the covenant, and therefore they should not receive an Aliyah. On the other hand, if the individual respects the mitzvah and simply has not yet undergone the procedure due to personal or practical reasons, they may be called up, as their situation does not fall under the category of publicized rebellion.

Sources: Shoel Umeieshiv Tinayna 3:4; Maharam Shick Y.D. 238; Maharshag 2:203; Igros Moshe 2:33; Minchas Yitzchak 4:10; Betzel Hachochma 4:5; Shevet Halevi 7:19; Tzitz Eliezer 11:9; Shraga Hameir 8:14; Piskeiy Teshuvos 136:2; See regarding a Rasha getting an Aliyah: See Admur 128:51 who implies even a Rasha may receive an Aliyah; Sefer Chassidim 768; Sheilas Yaavetz 1:79; Kneses Hagedola, brought in Beir Heiytiv 138:3; Shaareiy Efraim 1:34; M”B 138:5; Piskeiy Teshuvos 136:2

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.