http://www.observer.com/thepoliticker/2005/08/mohel-trouble.html Mohel Trouble
Mohel Trouble
Remember that sad, strange mohel story from the Daily News back in February? Then, the Health Department went to court to get a blood sample from a respected mohel amid suspicion that three babies had acquired herpes from a traditional practice in which the mohel used his mouth in the circumcision procedure. One baby died.
Observer City Hall guy Jason Horowitz noticed a large group of rabbis down at the Hall today, and The Politicker is told that they're meeting with the mayor over this same issue. Jewish political insiders have been saying for months that this is extremely dear to these communities, and that the Health Department's action is viewed by some Chasidic leaders as a transgression on religious freedom.
So some Jewish political support for Bloomberg, among other things, is hinging on this mohel's freedom to rebuff the investigation into a baby's death.
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Comments (8)
how about seeking the support of the rest of us jews who think the whole mouth on genitals thing is just bizarre and wrong, no matter what?
anonymous | 08.11.05 - 10:34 am | #
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Ben - Couldn't this be the protest of Dov Hikind planned at City Hall for later today?
Steven I. Weiss | Homepage | 08.11.05 - 11:26 am | #
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The difference, 10:34, is the rest of us jews do not vote as a solid bloc...
Anon | 08.11.05 - 11:27 am | #
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If you give those chayes a finger they will take the whole hand. You need to be tough on them the way I was,not let them roll all over you like they did to Bruce Teitelbaum.
Was Isaac Abraham there?
Jeff Weisenfeld | Homepage | 08.11.05 - 12:22 pm | #
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The issue has very little to do with the investigation into the mohel and far more to do with concerns about the DOH regulating religious practice. We're not talking about trans-fat here, so it is entirely acceptable to ask: is it appropriate for Dr. Frieden to tell New Yorkers how to observe religious rites? After circumcision is regulated, what's next? Fasting during Ramadan is unhealthy and therefore forbidden? Perhaps someday the City will only sanction communion if it's given by priests wearing gloves and hairnets...
No, the City of New York should follow the State Health Department's lead and allow for the self-regulation of religious rites.
A | 08.11.05 - 12:57 pm | #
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Self-regulation to what extent? Once another person's life is involved, and potentially threatened, then the state should be involved. Should the child's interests be represented solely by the parents? By the community?
In terms of freedom of religion, the 1st Amendment doesn't protect religious practice to that great an extent. If folks can't evade drug laws that prohibit use of peyote for ceremonial rituals involving young children in Arizona, then they can't evade child welfare laws concerning circumcision in NYC either.
anon | 08.11.05 - 1:19 pm | #
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12:57, you make a good theoretical point about rights versus public good but, dude, the baby got herpes! just curious, were you wearing your "i do not consent to this search" t-shirt when you posted? i hope this issue can lead to better STD awareness and testing in chassidic communities. Chassidic woman are already at risk b/c they unquestionably consent to sex with their oftentimes philandering and at-risk husbands.
ronnie | 08.11.05 - 1:24 pm | #
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This story is gross and not very interesting. thx
