1. Question: [Tuesday, 30^th Tishreiy 5783]

I am a Mohel and was asked by a barren couple to provide them a foreskin for them to use [i.e. for her to consume] for the Segula of having children. I am very wary of doing so, and am not even sure its Halachically allowed. However, they are pleading to me as they have not had children after being married ten years, and were instructed to do so by their Rabbi.

Answer:

You may not give them the foreskin for this purpose, and you are rather to bury it, as Halachically required.

Explanation: Although the above Segula is recorded in Sefarim, and some even claim miracle births as a result of it, practically the vast majority of Poskim prohibit it due to the prohibition of consuming flesh of a human, as well, doing so transgresses the Issur of Baal Tishaktzu, nullifies the Halachci ruling and age-old tradition to bury the Arla in earth, and enters a putrid item of Kelipos into the body.

Sources: Poskim who record and defend the Segula: Sefer Mareh Hayeladim Mareches Hei Os 10; Yifei Mareh p. 240; Poskim who record and negate the Segula: Shulchan Gavoa 79:7; Machaneh Yisrael 84; Rashbash 518; Machazik Bracha 79:2; Zivcheiy Tzedek 79:15; Darkei Teshuvah 79:15; Ben Ish Chaiy Emor 2:5; Kaf Hachaim 79:12; Sova Semachos [Y. Yosef] 2:8 footnote 15; 60:15; Otzer Habris Shaar 3 chapter 3:13; Sefer Rafael Hamalach; Or Torah Vol. 398:38 Poskim who prohibit eating human flesh: Rama 79:1; Darkei Moshe 79:2; Bach 79; Rambam Machalos Assuros 2:3; Maggid Mishneh on Rambazm ibid; Ritva Kesubos 60a; Ran Kesubos 60a; Reah, brought in Shita Mekubetzes Kesubos 60b [transgresses Biblical negative command]; Taz Y.D. 79:3; Shach Y.D. 81:3; Kneses Hagedola 79:5; Lechem Chamudos 79:1; Erech Hashulchan 79:1; Peri Toar 79:3; Karban Aron Shemini; Ben Ish Chaiy Emor 2:5; Kaf Hachaim Y.D. 79:9; and 12; Halichos Olam 6:221; Malbim Vayikra 11:4; Poskim who rule there is no prohibition to consume human flesh: Setimas Michaber and Tur; Raavad Machalos Assuros 2:3; Ran Kesubos 24b; Ramban Vayikra 11:3 and Chidushim Kesubos 60b; Rashba Teshuvah 1:364, 3:257 and Chidushim Kesubos 60b; Implication of Tosafus Kesubos 60a; Rosh Kesubos 5:19, although is Rabbinically forbidden to cut off body and eat in his opinion; See Taz Y.D. 79:3 in opinion of Rosh; Peri Chadash 79:6 in opinion of Michaber and Tur who omitted the prohibition, and so is his conclusion Lehalacha; See Rashbash ibid; See regarding burying the Arla: 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