From the Rav’s Desk: What is one to do with the foreskin/arla after a Bris?

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  1. Question: [Sunday, 28th Tishreiy, 5783]

We recently had a Bris for our son and the Mohel left us the Arla in a cup that is filled with earth. What should we do with this cup and with the Arla?

Answer:

You should bury it somewhere in the ground anywhere of your choosing.

Explanation: It is ruled in the Shulchan Aruch that the foreskin is to be buried in sand or earth, and practically the custom is to place it immediately after the circumcision within a vessel which contains earth or sand and bury it there. Now, the question is raised as to what one is to do with this cup after the Bris. So while some Mohalim are accustomed to save the foreskins until they pass away and then bury it with them, the more widespread custom is to then bury it in the ground.

Sources: See regarding burying the Arla in earth/sand: Michaber Y.D. 260:10; Tur 265; Beis Yosef 265; Pirkeiy Derebbe Eliezer 29; Targum Yonason Bamidbar 23:10; Baal Haturim Bamidbar 23:10; Zohar Lech Lecha 91a; Yireim 402; Hagahos Maimanos Mila 3:5; Rikanti 599; Rokeiach; Ittur; Hamanhig; Or Zarua; Abudarham; Rashal Yevamos 8:4; Levush 265; Shelah Chulin 91 in name of Tolas Yaakov; Tzeror Hamor Lech Lecha and Ki Seitzei; Hagahos  Maharash Vital Shaar Mamarei Chazal Shabbos 2; Sefer Bnei David Tazria 9; Nehar Afarsamon O.C. 27; Otzer Habris 3:15-22; Pesakim Uteshuvos 265:25; See regarding burying the Arla in a vessel: Derech Pikudecha 29; Zocher Habris 11:22; Pesakim Uteshuvos 265:25; See regarding Mohel saving the Arlos until his death and burial: Segulos Yisrael Mareches Mem 38; Bris Avos 7:34; Pesakim Uteshuvos 265:25 footnote 220; See regarding burying in ground after the bris is over: Zocher Habris 11:22 footnote 79; Pesakim Uteshuvos 265:25; See regarding burying it in the shul courtyard: Minhag Libya, brought in Otzer Habris Vol. 2 p. 296

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.

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