"…[M]any doctors and scientists who debunked all the negative hype caused by
pseudo-doctors relying on outdated medical assumptions, who chose to
ban before researching it. During tens of years, thousands upon
thousands of Jewish children were circumcised, and they cannot find even
one among 1,000 who got sick because of it, and even the greatest
pediatricians in our city, who helaed children for many years, will say
that the claim of children getting sick because of Metzitzah B'peh is
bogus.…Practically speaking, the following should be done…Publicize to all Jews especially those who are not aware of its importance, that there is nothing to worry from Metzitzah B'peh, to the contrary, it is very beneficial even according to the doctors."
The US Centers for Disease Control recognizes that the risk of a baby getting Herpes is 3.4 times greater for babies who have metzitzah b'peh (MBP), the direct oral-to-genital-suction done by haredi mohels to the bleeding penises of the babies they have just circumcised, than those who do not have MBP done.
MBP has killed babies. It has left babies with severe brain damage. It It has infected babies who then required long hospitalizations. It is suspected to cause lower grade infections that may cause milder brain damage and learning disabilities. Once infected with Herpes a person is always a carrier and can – and will – transmit the illness to others through saliva, kissing and in other ways.
But in a letter distributed to Chabad followers in Crown Heights and beyond, the Crown Heights Beis Din (religious court) rules that MBP is not only mandatory to do – a contention that is not backed by what was, until recently, normative Jewish law – but that MBP is healthy for the baby.
Not only that, these Chabad rabbis claim that "pseudo-doctors" [the US Centers for Disease Control, the New York State Department of health, New York City's Department of Health and Hygine, etc.] who say that MBP is dangerous are lying:
…[M]any doctors and scientists who debunked all the negative hype caused by pseudo-doctors relying on outdated medical assumptions, who chose to ban before researching it.
During tens of years, thousands upon thousands of Jewish children were circumcised, and they cannot find even one among 1,000 who got sick because of it, and even the greatest pediatricians in our city, who helaed children for many years, will say that the claim of children getting sick because of Metzitzah B'peh is bogus.…
And then they tell Chabad followers everywhere what they should do to protect MBP:
"Publicize to all Jews especially those who are not aware of its importance, that there is nothing to worry from Metzitzah B'peh, to the contrary, it is very beneficial even according to the doctors." [emphasis added]
In other words, they have ordered thousands of Chabad missionaries to tell Jews who have just given birth to a boy that it is mandatory to have MBP done, that the Health Department and CDC are lying, and that real doctors endorse MBP.
Chabad will surely maim and could potentially kill babies by doing this, and will cause the spread of Herpes to an even wider population.
Here is the entire letter, which was published on the Crown Heights Beis Din's letterhead and signed by Rabbi Aharon Yaakov Schwei and Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun:
Free Translation of the letter:
BH, 6th of Elul 5772
Since in recent days wicked people have gone to the government and led them astray, trying to get the Health Department to try and control the Jews, by imposing regulations on the Bris, specifically regarding the custom of Metzitzah B'peh during the Bris.
First and foremost it is important to note, that nothing is new, and these ideas have been floated in the past, that the breakaway factions of the Jewish people tried to prohibit (or at least to prevent) the custom of Metzitzah B'peh, Heaven Forbid. And the great leaders of the previous generations stood in their way, ensuring that their devious plans will not stand, especially in regards to the Metzitzah B'peh as it was customarily done since the days of Moshe Rabbeinu. They also wrote at length about the need of Metzitzah, specifically B'peh, which is done for the benefit of the Bris, according to P'shat, Remez, Drush and specifically - Sod, and some are of the opinion that it is a vital and integral part of the Mitzvah, deemed a Halacha L'Moshe M'Sinai. Their words have been printed in many books, the most popular being "Kuntres Ha'metzizah" in the Sdei Chemed Encyclopedia.
Obviously, this is all in addition to the central reason for Metzizah B'peh, the prevention of danger for the newborn, like it is explained in Gemara and the words of the Rishonim. This was also explained by many doctors and scientists who debunked all the negative hype caused by pseudo-doctors relying on outdated medical assumptions, who chose to ban before researching it.
During tens of years, thousands upon thousands of Jewish children were circumcised, and they cannot find even one among 1,000 who got sick because of it, and even the greatest pediatricians in our city, who helaed children for many years, will say that the claim of children getting sick because of Metzitzah B'peh is bogus.
Regardless of what it is (whether the doctors agree or not), a main tenet of our faith is that it is utterly implausible that government officials should decide how the Bris should be done!
And as the Rebbe wrote in a letter regarding this issue (6th of Elul 5709): "When governments get involved in how a Jew should run his life, it was never good for the Jews, not for their soul or their body, like many examples throughout Jewish history."
This is specifically in our country, the United States of America, which was founded on the principle of freedom to practice religion, and the complete separation between the government and the religious bodies, for every person has the right to do as he wishes according to his religion, without any outside interference.
Practically speaking, the following should be done:
1) Publicize to all Jews especially those who are not aware of its importance, that there is nothing to worry from Metzitzah B'peh, to the contrary, it is very beneficial even according to the doctors.
2) The Mohalim should continue the tradition of the Bris as it was until now, without changing anything at all, Heaven Forbid. Whomever does not have the courage to stand up and follow the rules should retire from the job, and he is not fit to be a Mohel if he did not do all three parts - Milah, Pri'ah and Metzitzah B'peh. If there is a case of danger, the Mohel should ask a Rov [rabbi] in his city, and follow his directive. Obviously, if a Mohel has any sickness which can cause damage, he should not do Metzitzah B'peh.With blessings of Ketiva ve-Chatima Tovah [May You Be Written and Sealed for a Good Year],
Rabbi Aharon Yaakov Schwei
Member, Crown Heights Beis Din
Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun
Member, Crown Heights Beis Din
[Hat Tip: SW.]