by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5TJT.com This article is presented in honor of the Bris Milah of Tehila and Dr. Noah Michaels this morning. There are halachic and procedural differences in the manner in which the Bris Milah is performed.  There are two types of Bris Milahs, and they are different not only in the manner and style of how the Bris is actually performed, but they also produce different physical results as well. The best way to characterize the two different methods are with the following terms: The two-step method The one-step method There are mohelim that practice the two-step method.  This is the more traditional method – practiced for thousands of years.  This method is near universal among Chassidish Mohalim. There are mohelim that practice the one-step method.  In America, in the Litvish world, this is the most common method. Few mohalim, however, will practice both methods, but some do. Mohalim are also rather territorial about their particular method.  It is a somewhat touchy issue with many of them, so proceed with caution when and if you bring up the subject. What follows is not for the faint of heart – so proceed with caution.   However, the material under discussion is Torah – and we are obligated in learning all sections of Torah – even those that can make us a little queasy.  So here goes. THE ORLAH HAS TWO PARTS The Orlah actually has two parts – the outer part and the inner part.  The inner part is referred to as the “or hapriyah.”  The inner part is actually termed a “mucous membrane” and is similar to the inside of an eyelid.  Imagine the lip – the outer side is dryer skin, while the inner side is not. THE TWO STEP METHOD In the two step method, the upper part is lifted upward and cut with the Mohel’s knife.  This is the first step. The inner part is peeled back and torn with the Mohel’s sharpened thumbnail, and then pulled down toward the body of the baby.  This is the second step.  The lowered inner part eventually fuses together with the remnant of the upper part. The thumbnail’s role in the second step is even mentioned in the Midrash.  The Yalkut Shimoni (#723) on the verse in Tehillim, “Kol Atzmosai Tomarnah” – states as follows:  Dovid HaMelech says, “I praise You (Hashem) with each of my limbs and fulfill Mitzvos with them.. fingernails – to perform Priyah with them..” THE ONE STEP METHOD In the one-step method, the Mohel uses a hemostat to grasp both the inner orlah along with the upper orlah.  A hemostat looks like a scissors, but it is actually a clamp type of device.  Generally speaking, the inner Orlah does not go up with the outer Orlah so easily without the hemostat.  When they are clamped together –  it does go up.  The mohel then takes his Mohel knife and cuts both off together.  In this method, the Milah and the Priyah are accomplished at the same time.  There are one step Mohalim who are able to grab it in a manner that they can cut the inner orlah as well – even without a hemostat. The physical differences between the one-step method and the two-step method are not minimal.  The one step […]

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