Frequently asked questions
WHAT SUPPLIES WILL we NEED FOR THE BRIS?
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1- Kosher Sweet Wine (*not cold- room temp is fine.)
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2- Kiddish Cup
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3- Sugar (10 tsp) for sugar water prep as a possible alternative to wine
for pain relief if you do not want to use wine.
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4- 4x4 gauze pads
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5- Neosporin (or other brand) Triple Antibiotic Ointment
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6- Emla Cream (generic is prilocaine-lidocaine) this will be prescribed
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7- Bottle of breast milk or formula 3 ounces (not very cold)
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8- A pillow to comfortably lay baby on Sandak's lap
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9- Baby should wear a gown -or another outfit that is very accessible
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10- Challah (and a Bread Knife)
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11- Small Kiddish cups if you would like your guests to participate (Optional)
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12- Two Clean Diapers and Wipes
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13- Tallit (Optional)
14- Kippot/Yarmulke (for the adults) are optional, but should be provided
for those who choose to use them.
The father of the baby and the Sandak should wear a kippot/yarmulke.
15-​ A Sturdy Table that is not fixed to the wall. It should be the size of a bridge table or larger. On top of the table should be a tablecloth and on top of that should be a fluffy towel or a blanket. Please make sure there is good lighting for the Mohel.
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16- Trash Can with a Plastic Liner
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17- Saran / Plastic Wrap
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WHEN DO I CONTACT THE MOHEL?
Whether you know the gender or not, you can contact the Mohel during the second or third trimester. We will send you an Initial Intake Form to fill out so we have your info. (A more extensive Intake Form will be sent after your son is born.)
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WHEN IS THE 8TH DAY FOR THE BRIS?
The 8th day is the same day of the week as the birth. Therefore, if your son was born on a Monday, the Bris would be held on the next Monday.
If the birth took place after sundown, then it is considered the next day. So if born on a Monday after sundown, then the 8th day would be the next Tuesday.
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CAN YOU DO A BRIS AFTER THE 8TH DAY?
Yes, a Bris can be done after the 8th day but never before the 8th day.
The Bris should be scheduled as close to the 8th day as possible.
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CAN A BRIS BE HELD ON SHABBAT (SATURDAY)
OR ON A JEWISH HOLIDAY?
Yes, but only if it falls on the 8th day.
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what if we have TWINS??
Dr. Mazlin has performed many Brises on boy/boy or boy/girl twins.
For boy/girl twins Dr. Mazlin will perform a baby naming for your daughter, at the conclusion of the Bris and will provide a lovely Baby Naming Certificate.
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WHERE SHOULD WE HOLD THE BRIS?
The Bris is frequently done in at home or at a family member’s home.
The Bris is also frequently done in a synagogue as well. Some also choose to hold the Bris in a party room, a hotel room, or at another venue.
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WHAT IS SERVED AT THE BRIS?
Generally, brunch type foods are offered in the morning or early afternoon. Later in the day there is frequently more meat-type meals offered such as deli sandwiches etc. Food should be kosher or kosher-style. It is a personal choice. It’s important to find out if any guests are kosher.
*You will also need a Challah (and a challah/bread knife) for the HaMotzi prayer, and Wine for the Kiddish.
*You may serve beverages before the Bris, but guests should refrain from eating until the Bris ceremony is over.
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WHAT IS THE GENERAL ORDER OF THE BRIS?
(Please make sure to invite your guests 15-30 minutes
before the scheduled time of the Bris!)
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*Initial Prayers
*Circumcision
*Hebrew Baby Naming
*Opportunity to address your guests
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Where is the actual Circumcision Done?
The circumcision part of the Bris is done a a table. The table should be the size of a bridge table or larger. A dining room table is fine. It should have a tablecloth on it, and on top of that a fluffy towel or a blanket for your baby's comfort. Make sure to provide good lighting for the Mohel.
*Please also supply a small trash can with a plastic liner.
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MUST THE PARENTS OF THE BABY
WATCH THE CIRCUMCISION?
It is optional to watch depending on your comfort level.
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DO WE NEED 10 JEWISH PEOPLE FOR A BRIS?
A Minyan (group of 10) is preferable, but not mandatory.
HOW DO WE CHOOSE A HEBREW NAME?
Some Hebrew names have an English equivalent.
Ashkenazic Jews usually name their baby after a deceased relative. Sephardic Jews usually name a baby after a significant living relative.
(Dr. Mazlin would be happy to help you choose a Hebrew name…just ask!)
​SHOULD MY GUESTS WEAR MASKS?
Masks are optional; however, anyone who is possibly ill should either stay away from the baby or not attend at all.
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WHAT SHOULD THE BABY WEAR?
An outfit with easy access is best such as a gown or an outfit with easy access at the bottom.
Some families choose to buy a baby Kippah/Yarmulke. This is optional.
HOW IS PAIN MANAGED?
A topical cream called Emla Cream (generic prilocaine-lidocaine) will be prescribed and should be applied approximately 30 minutes before the circumcision.
(Dr. Mazlin will go over this with you before the day of the Bris.)
Kosher sweet wine (such as Manischewitz or Kedem) or a sugar-water mixture will be used as an alternative. (Medical studies have proven that sugar in sweet wine or sugar-water raises the baby’s natural endorphins as a natural pain killer.)
Some choose to use a lidocaine injection, however the Emla cream along with the sweet wine or sugar water used more frequently by Dr. Mazlin.
MUST A RABBI BE AT THE BRIS?
No- a Mohel is completely qualified to perform the Bris, but if a rabbi is a relative or a family friend, or someone you choose to include, then Dr. Mazlin is very comfortable with coordinating the ceremony. Please notify Dr. Mazlin if a Rabbi will be included.
METZIZAH BA PEH (Sucking of the blood)
This is when the Mohel sucks blood away from the baby’s circumcision wound as part of the Orthodox Bris ritual.
(This is a frequently asked question and concern of parents.)
Please Note that Dr. Mazlin does NOT perform this ritual.
(However, it continues to be practiced by Orthodox, Ultraorthodox and Hassidic Jews.)
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DOES DR. MAZLIN PERFORM A BRIS IF OUR SON IS FROM INTERFAITH PARENTS?
YES!
https://18doors.org/approaching_a_babys_bris_as_an_interfaith_couple/
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WHAT IS A SANDAK?
The Sandak holds the baby on his/her lap during the ceremony. This very great honor is bestowed, according to traditions, to the paternal or maternal grandfather, or to any elderly person(s) in the family who is physically capable.
The Sandak must actually be at the Bris and cannot be on Zoom or Facetime.
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HOW CAN MY FAMILY AND GUESTS BE INVOLVED
IN THE BRIS CEREMONY?
Dr. Mazlin offers a special honor (Meshebarach) for the older sibling(s).
Honors can include being a Sandak (see above) or the Kvatter/Kvatterin (similar to God Parents and would bring the baby into the room to present to the Sandak.)
Additional honors involve three helpers that are required during the circumcision to help hold the baby. Usually the Sandak is included.
Other honors can include grandparent readings,
as well as someone leading the HaMotzi and/or the Kiddish.
*More honors can be included, please discuss with Dr. Mazlin.
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HOW CAN I PERSONALIZE THE BRIS CEREMONY?
As the parents of the baby, you will have an opportunity after the naming to personalize the occasion. You can possibly discuss how you decided on the baby’s English and Hebrew names, and thank your guests for coming. You can really choose to personalize it in many traditional and unique ways.
CAN MY FAMILY JOIN VIA ZOOM OR FACETIME?
Yes!
​WILL WE RECEIVE A BRIS CERTIFICATE?
Yes! Dr. Mazlin will provide a lovely Bris Certificate.
(It is important to send back the Intake Form as soon as you have all the information so it can be reviewed -and a Bris Certificate can be prepared in advance of the Bris.)
(Often Rabbis will ask for this certificate before your son’s Bar Mitzvah!)
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HOW DO WE HANDLE THE AFTERCARE?
Dr. Mazlin will not only provide a comprehensive aftercare sheet for you to follow, but he will also (word for word) review the aftercare instructions.
Dr. Mazlin will also contact you the day after the Bris, and is Always Available for any questions or concerns. You are never left stranded after the Bris is over!
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For non-urgent questions you may also reach his assistant,
Rachel, by TEXT at (646) 859-5000. ​
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SHOULD I CIRCUMCISE MY SON IN THE HOSPITAL?
You should know that circumcisions in medical facilities and hospitals do not take place in a sterile operating room, but rather in a room adjacent to the nursey. Hospital circumcisions are usually done by the OB/GYN who delivered the baby
or by the resident physician.
Hospitals have many hospital-acquired infections from visitors who may carry RSV, flu or covid etc.
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The hospital circumcision is not considered equal to a Bris. When a circumcision is done at the hospital a “Hatafat Dam” (or drawing of blood from the penis - after the circumcision has healed) would be required before the naming could take place.
The bris, or Brit Milah, is a Jewish ritual that has been passed down through generations as a sign of the covenant
between God and the Jewish people.
Today, the bris ceremony has evolved to include personal touches, such as readings or poems.
The role of the Mohel has also changed, with more emphasis on medical training and hygiene.
The bris is a fundamental precept of the Jewish religion and an expression of Jewish identity.
It also symbolizes the continuation of the Jewish people.
A Bris performed outside the hospital using an experienced Mohel is an optimal situation within a controlled environment.
Dr. Mazlin uses a sterile field and sterile instruments. He also comes prepared for most any situation that may arise.
Dr. Mazlin is very experienced, performing thousands of Brises and circumcisions.
*The medical benefits of circumcision are numerous and include reduction in urinary tract infection, reduction of certain sexually-transmitted diseases, reduction of penile cancer, and elimination of problems that may develop as a result of a foreskin.
"We are so grateful to have found Dr. Mazlin. He prioritized our son's comfort above anything, which was very important to us. His multi-faceted approach to pain control worked very well, and our son healed up surprisingly fast.
The pediatrician even commented on a job well done!
We highly recommend Dr. Mazlin!"
Thank you again so much for keeping our son healthy, and for such a beautiful ceremony!
Laura and Josh, Brooklyn, NY (May 3rd)