Agudath Israel of America, Satmar, the International Bris Association and their fellow plaintiffs appealed last month's denial of their request for a stay of NYC law requiring parents to sign an informed consent document before metzitzah b'peh (MBP), the direct mouth-to-bleeding-penis sucking (please see the photo posted at right) done
by many haredi and almost all hasidic mohels to infants who cannot consent to the risky
procedure. The ruling was handed down today and, as you can see below, the haredim resoundingly lost.
The standard in this circuit for a stay or injunction pending appeal is (1) whether the movant will suffer irreparable injury absent a stay, (2) whether a party will suffer substantial injury if a stay is issued, (3) whether the movant has demonstrated "a substantial possibility, although less than a likelihood, of success" on appeal, and (4) the public interests that may be affected.
Posted by: Reader | February 21, 2013 at 06:53 PM
MBP=Spitting into an open wound. One must ask, would you allow another person to spit into an open wound? If the answer is no, then why would one subject a defenseless infant to such a treatment.
Posted by: Alter Kocker | February 21, 2013 at 08:04 PM
Alter Kocker -
it really is that simple.
Posted by: ah-pee-chorus | February 21, 2013 at 08:38 PM
It's kind of a 'dine and dash.'
Posted by: dh | February 21, 2013 at 08:42 PM
Sup and suck?
Posted by: dh | February 21, 2013 at 08:43 PM
Alter Kocker -Robots are preprogrammed,thats exactly how our heilige rebunim and their automatons behave,theese rabbis and moels who dont give a dammn about the child are robots unthinking robots and that is why they put their saliva in a babies open wound ,and the worst part of it is that they will fight till death for their abhorent behaviour just unimaginably insane is what they really are.
Posted by: jancsibacsi | February 21, 2013 at 08:46 PM
I don't see why everyone is so up in arms about this. The hard core will not be deferred by signing "yet another" legal document.
I know when presented with the terms and conditions that always pop up when loading new software I never read it and always click on "I Agree". I don't see why this page of legaleeze will stop the haredim from performing the ceremony.
Posted by: Robert | February 21, 2013 at 09:26 PM
It's worse than spitting into an open wound. It's transmitting disease from one infant to another, by someone who sucks several baby's penises each say, in addition to subjecting them to whatever disease the mohel himself has.
And never mind the revolting idea of sucking a baby's penis as part of a religious ritual. Antisemites must be besides themselves with laughter. The general public finds it utterly disgusting.
Posted by: WoolSilkCotton | February 22, 2013 at 12:02 AM
The general public finds it utterly disgusting.
Posted by: WoolSilkCotton | February 22, 2013 at 12:02 AM
True. And the Charedim have so little understanding of that and how the world works that they are prepared to go to secular court and publicize this disgusting practice before the world. The Honorable Judges have to remain impartial and professional but they too must be secretly disgusted by this.
Posted by: David | February 22, 2013 at 12:42 AM
I know when presented with the terms and conditions that always pop up when loading new software I never read it and always click on "I Agree". I don't see why this page of legaleeze will stop the haredim from performing the ceremony.
Posted by: Robert | February 21, 2013 at 09:26 PM
maybe herideim but it will give pause to others who may have hired a heridie mohel
Posted by: seymour | February 22, 2013 at 07:56 AM
Posted by: Robert | February 21, 2013 at 09:26 PM
maybe herideim but it will give pause to others who may have hired a heridie mohel
Posted by: seymour | February 22, 2013 at 07:56 AM
Interesting, I thought only haredim go for the MBP bris option.
Posted by: Solomon | February 22, 2013 at 08:43 AM
I know when presented with the terms and conditions that always pop up when loading new software I never read it and always click on "I Agree". I don't see why this page of legaleeze will stop the haredim from performing the ceremony.
False equivalency. One does not go to jail for clicking "I agree" when in fact they do not.
Posted by: Rebitzman | February 22, 2013 at 08:43 AM
False equivalency. One does not go to jail for clicking "I agree" when in fact they do not.
Posted by: Rebitzman | February 22, 2013 at 08:43 AM
If a parent signs the "document" and their child does indeed catch the virus they do not go to jail. The purpose of the document is simply a form that you sign that you are aware that the procedure may result in illness.
Sort of like the warning on cigarettes. The government would like you to stop smoking but has not made it illegal but it does require cigarettes to carry a health warning.
Posted by: Solomon | February 22, 2013 at 09:32 AM
False equivalency. One does not go to jail for clicking "I agree" when in fact they do not.
Posted by: Rebitzman | February 22, 2013 at 08:43 AM
You must be a Yated reader. This is the kind of fearmongering they regularly engage in.
If your child goes paintballing, and you sign all sorts of forms saying you understand it's a dangerous sport, and then your kid gets hurt at paintball, do you go to jail?
Posted by: shoshy | February 22, 2013 at 09:51 AM
A big thank you to Bloomberg and his team for doing something about this abominable practice.
So many mainstream Jews and those of course to the "left" had no idea of this unhygenic and disgusting (and in some countries illegal) custom until they read your blog.
It has to be stopped - if it does not then perhaps the whole Brit Milah will be banned by many States and Countries.
In Europe there is increasing agitation to implement the existing ban on FGM (Femail Genital Mutilation) which is called by many as female circumcision. At present no police force has the courage to prosecute for fear of offending religious or ethnic minorities.
So adding this abhorrent practice to the weaponary of the anti circumcision brigade then the whole concept of Brit Milah might become illegal until the "child" is legally able to give consent. There are many rational people both within and without the Faith that find the custom of mutilating a baby of 7 days to be a barbaric ritual
So hopefully the attempt by Satmar to continue to infect their infants will fail, and those who want our ancient custom to continue must do all they can to ensure that it is carried out hygenically . Further why do so many Mohelim refuse to use a small application of an anaesthetic cream.
Do not tell me that the baby feels no pain.
Posted by: Hygenist | February 22, 2013 at 09:53 AM
Someone needs to put a Brazzers logo on that pic
Posted by: (The Other) Eli | February 22, 2013 at 12:04 PM
It's worse than spitting into an open wound. It's transmitting disease from one infant to another, by someone who sucks several baby's penises each say, in addition to subjecting them to whatever disease the mohel himself has.
And never mind the revolting idea of sucking a baby's penis as part of a religious ritual. Antisemites must be besides themselves with laughter. The general public finds it utterly disgusting.
Posted by: WoolSilkCotton | February 22, 2013 at 12:02 AM
Hopefully, as the idiots continue to publicize this perverted practice, the general population of liberal and secular Jews will become increasingly aware of it, will stop seeing these cretins as somehow representing "authentic" Judaism and will stop funding and otherwise supporting them. I'd especially like to see people stop funding and attending Chabad houses.
Posted by: Jeff | February 22, 2013 at 07:36 PM
Female Genital Mutilation is illegal in many countries and people have been prosecuted for inflicting this on their daughters and for taking them out of the country to have it done. And yes, they have been jailed!
Posted by: PD | February 23, 2013 at 07:49 PM
I'd especially like to see people stop funding and attending Chabad houses.
Posted by: Jeff | February 22, 2013 at 07:36 PM
Chabad performs a great service to the kosher public at large by providing oasis of Jewishness across the globe. No one else has and will take this burden upon themselves. They provide a place to eat and daven - very important activities for the frum people.
My child is away from home in medical school, the only source of Jewishness for miles around is chabad. She spends many shabbosim there and just loves the family. So yes, I do show them my appreciation for putting her up week after week for shabbos and providing her meals.
Posted by: Norman | February 23, 2013 at 09:37 PM