A senior United States federal
judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of
New York, has reportedly agreed to a one month stay preventing implementation of the new informed consent
requirement for metzitzah b'peh, the direct-mouth-to-bloody-penis
sucking done by hasidic and many haredi mohels after removing a baby's foreskin.
Metziztah b'peh being performed by a Chabad mohel last month in Brooklyn
In Agreement With NYC, Court Gives One Month Stay Against NYC Circumcision Informed Consent
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
The Honorable Naomi Reice Buchwald, a senior United States federal judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, has reportedly agreed to a Temporary Stay of Enforcement preventing implementation of New York City's new informed consent requirement for metzitzah b'peh, the direct-mouth-to-bloody-penis sucking done by hasidic and many haredi mohels after removing a baby's foreskin.
The Temporary Stay of Enforcement is in effect until November 14th, which is the date of the next hearing in the case.
It was issued after the plaintiffs and the defendants jointly agreed to it. They also jointly agreed to limit the size of court filings in support or opposition to a temporary restraining order. The stay was conditioned on the court accepting an expedited hearing schedule, which the court agreed to. The stay is in force only until the end of the next court hearing, which will deal with the topic of a temporary restraining order. That hearing is scheduled for November 14. (Please see the letter endorsed by the judge that is posted below.)
At least 11 babies have been sickened through metzitzah b'peh over the past 11 years. All required lengthy hospitalization.
One baby survived but was left with severe brain damage.
Two other babies died.
Haredim claim the city's informed requirement requirement is a violation of the First Amendment.
They also claim that metzitzah b'peh is safe – even though all major specialists in the field of pediatric infectious disease and public health say the practice is dangerous.
The haredi lawsuit against the city relies on the lone opinion of one Orthodox infectious disease doctor, Daniel Berman, and on the statistical calculations of Berman's father.
Both men are lone or nearly-lone view among a vast majority of experts – including many much better regarded than the Bermans – who strongly oppose metzitzah b'peh.
In addition, Daniel Berman has repeatedly used deception to support his views.
The US Centers for Disease Control has come out against metzitzah b'peh, finding that babies who have the procedure done are 3.4 times (340%) more likely to contract neonatal herpes than are babies who do not have metzitzah b'peh.
Letter outlining the agreement to temporarily stay execution of the informed consent endorsed by the judge:
Download Endorsed letter setting briefing schedule in haredim v NYC suit 10-2012
Related Posts: Dr. Daniel Berman's Deceptions (a partial list): 1, 2.
[Hat Tip: Burich.]