SHEMOS (Exodus, 1:1-6:1) — “Mrs. Moses: Certified Mohelet??!”

Several years ago I was driving in the car listening to a discussion on the radio about circumcision. Being a Mohel myself, I was, of course, very interested in the conversation. I listened with curiosity and apprehension.

I get very uncomfortable when religious Jews call radio shows. It is very difficult to explain a profound religious concept in a cogent and articulate manner when the host has his own ideas and can cut you off in mid-sentence. Yet, the calls were coming in, and the host maintained that circumcision is done for health reasons.

Then an Italian lady called and said that she had her boys circumcised for health reasons, and was glad she did. He said, “Thank you, dear,” and hung up. Then he asked, “Hey, I wonder if a lady is allowed to be a Mohel.”

I braced myself for the responses. A short time later, the host said, “Our next caller, fromRocklandCounty, is Moysheh. Hello, Moysheh.”

“Hello, Mr. Grant. This is Moishe-the-Moyel from Monsey!”…

Read more.

Additional messages from previous years:

“My Grandson’s Bris – 2” (2010)

“My Grandson the Priest” (2009)

“Mrs. Moses Goes Home to Father” (2007)

“The Secret Password” (2006)

“Pain in the Ukraine” (2004)

“Watch Your Step!” (2004)

“A Tale of Two Kings” (2002)

“Mother Goose Lied to Us!” (2002)