Waiting seven days from recovery:[1]

Most Poskim[2] rule that in cases of high-level jaundice one is to wait seven complete days after the child has been healed of his high level of jaundice. Some Poskim[3] however rule that it is never necessary to wait seven days for natural jaundice that is not the result of an infection [i.e. not pathological jaundice], being that it is not defined as an illness, and one simply has to wait until it goes down to a normal level. Practically, the Lubavitcher Rebbe directed[4], based on the ruling of the Tzemach Tzedek[5], that in cases of high-level jaundice one is to wait seven complete days after the child has been healed of his high level of jaundice, and so is the Chabad custom. Regarding the number level of bilirubin jaundice for which a circumcision is to be delayed and requires a seven-day wait, there are different approaches amongst the Poskim[6] and even amongst Chabad Rabbis and Mohalim.

The number-How high is high:[7] There is a difference between jaundice that is due to infection which is known as pathological jaundice, versus jaundice that comes as a result of high bilirubin levels in the blood which is known as physiological jaundice. Regarding the latter, there are numerous approaches on this matter amongst Rabbanim[8] and Mohalim in terms of the definition of a high enough level of jaundice, which is based on the bilirubin level found in the blood as well as the color of the baby, to justify or obligate the delay of the circumcision. The Chabad approach in this matter is more stringent than that of other sects, in light of the statement of the Shulchan Aruch that it is always possible to circumcise while it is never possible to return a life. Rabbi Zalman Shimon Dworkin was of the following opinion:[9] Until number 10, the circumcision may take place on time. From number 10 until 15 one is to wait until the number descends below 10 and he may then immediately be circumcised the next day. If however the number read above 15 then the child is considered sick and one must wait seven full days after the number descends to below 10. Rav Eli Landau, who is himself a veteran Mohel, related that his father ruled, as well as other rabbis, that if the bilirubin level is above 13 than one should wait 7 days [from when it goes down below 11], and that he personally does not do a Bris if the number is above 11.

How to determine the bilirubin level:[10] Rav Eli Landau related that when relying on a machine to determine the bilirubin level, one should not rely only on one machine, as often they are not all accurate. A blood test is the most accurate way of determining the number. Also, he relates that he does not rely only on the number but also on the color of the baby, near the naval area. 

[1] See Beis Yitzchak Y.D. 2:91; Aruch Hashulchan Y.D. 263:2; Koreis Habris 263:1; Os Shalom Munkatzh 263:1; Sefer Habris 263:3; Shevach Habris ibid footnote 8; See Pesakim Uteshuvos 263 footnote 3 and 11-13

[2] Hagahos Hagr”a 263:1 regarding Yarok; See Pesakim Uteshuvos 263 footnote 3 and 11-13 for a long list of both Rishonim and Achronim who all ruled that it is necessary to wait seven days for Tzahevet.

[3] So rule regarding Yarok, and some regarding Tzahevet: Bach 263; Derech Pikudecha; Chochmas Adam 149:4; Avnei Nezer Y.D. 320; Aruch Hashulchan 263:3; Tzitz Eliezer 13:81; Shevet Halevi 3:142; See Pesakim Uteshuvos 263 footnote 3 and 11-13 for a long list of both Rishonim and Achronim who all ruled that it is not necessary to wait seven days.

[4] See Likkutei Sichos Tazria 3; Igros Kodesh 7:143; Heichal Menachem 1:47; Koveitz Minhagei Chabad Inyanei Hirayon Vileida p. 22

[5] See Tzemach Tzedek in Piskeiy Dinim 263 to wait seven days for redness of skin

[6] See Poskim in Pesakim Uteshuvos 263:2 footnote 12

[7] See Sefer Habris 263:4; Koveitz Zera Yaakov Koveitz 21 p. 29-44; Pesakim Uteshuvos 263 footnote 12

[8] See Poskim in Pesakim Uteshuvos 263:2 footnote 12

[9] Heard from Rav Yosef Simcha Ginzburg, in name of the Mohel Rabbi Moshe Klein; Shevach Habris ibid footnote 8 from Reshimos of Rabbi Groner

[10] See Sefer Habris 263:4; Koveitz Zera Yaakov Koveitz 21 p. 29-44; Pesakim Uteshuvos 263:2 footnotes 8-9