How 11 New York City Babies Contracted Herpes Through Circumcision

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish circumcision ritual is found to cause neonatal herpes infections in newborns in New York City, prompting health officials to encourage parents to consider the health risks of the practice.

The report is sure to reignite a long-simmering debate over public health and religious liberties: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Thursday that 11 baby boys in New York City were infected with herpes between Nov. 2000 and Dec. 2011 following an ultra-Orthodox Jewish circumcision ritual called metzitzah b’peh — or oral suction — in which the mohel puts his mouth directly on the newborn’s circumcised penis and sucks away the blood.

Ten of the babies were hospitalized, at least two developed brain damage and two died, according to the New York City health department. In 2005, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg asked rabbis throughout the city to move away from performing metzitzah b’peh — and also issued an open letter [PDF] to the Jewish community warning of the health risks — but they refused claiming the practice was safe.

How 11 New York City Babies Contracted Herpes Through Circumcision

Just stumbled across this and thought I would share. Hopefully everyone will take the proper precautions when circumsising their children. This is terrible that this has happened. I know it's a very small percentage, but there shouldn't be a statistic on this at all. After all it is 2012 and the U.S. has relatively good health care.

Jewish circumcision ritual called metzitzah b’peh — or oral suction — in which the mohel puts his mouth directly on the newborn’s circumcised penis and sucks away the blood.

I'm sorry, I cannot get past this sentence. HOW ON EARTH is that not considered child rape? That is absolutely disgusting, not only in the sucking of blood, but the admitted and accepted religious practice of putting a babies 'member' into their mouth, even a little is absolutely unconscionable.

reply to post by Daemonicon


I agree, I don't even know how this is legal. It's so terrible. Why would you subject your child to something like this? I know the babies won't remember, but how do the parents even live with themselves?

Totally useless thing to do. Why did anyone trust the doctors to do such things? I've never been circumcised and never had anything bad happen to me in doing so. This just boggles my mind, here we are in our natural form allowing other people to make modifications to our body? They claim it's for good reason as well looooool.

Originally posted by Daemonicon

Jewish circumcision ritual called metzitzah b’peh — or oral suction — in which the mohel puts his mouth directly on the newborn’s circumcised penis and sucks away the blood.

I'm sorry, I cannot get past this sentence. HOW ON EARTH is that not considered child rape? That is absolutely disgusting, not only in the sucking of blood, but the admitted and accepted religious practice of putting a babies 'member' into their mouth, even a little is absolutely unconscionable.

edit on 7-6-2012 by Daemonicon because: spelling

YES HOW!!!! AND WHAT IS A mohel??? SMH could not of just used existing steril methods to circumcize???

Originally posted by SUICIDEHK45
reply to post by Daemonicon

 

I agree, I don't even know how this is legal. It's so terrible. Why would you subject your child to something like this? I know the babies won't remember, but how do the parents even live with themselves?

I don't know, and I know this sounds like a weird thing to say, but I really hope there is someone who comes into this thread and justifies/defends this practice. I really am curious as to how ANYONE could defend this action.

reply to post by Ophiuchus 13


A mohel (Hebrew:מוהל, plural mohelim, pronunciation moy'el, mo'hel, Aramaic mohela, "circumciser") is a Jewish person trained in the practice of brit milah "covenant of circumcision."

Watch this video! I've been aware of this for a while now. Apparently the mouth symbolizes the vagina....Haha yeah right old man sucking baby penises.




I also think it's hilarious that his first excuse is that "saliva is a disinfectant".

reply to post by Ophiuchus 13


The pervert who is performing the ceremonial snipping and sucking.

I.E. The person who needs their ******* head checked.

reply to post by SUICIDEHK45

reply to post by Daemonicon


Thanks and CANNOT APPROVE on my seeds. I do understand there are religious practices that I wouldnt condone this IS 1 of them. No direspect to whoever follows this type of treatment.

While the article is new, this story was first reported a while ago. It's a strange ritual that is practiced by a very small percentage of orthodox jews who, in turn, make up a very small percentage of the jewish community here in NYC.

How anyone would allow this when the risk to their child is so evident is beyond me but I don't put my faith in a book over my family.

Did you know that every aspect of Bris Milah is replete with significance and meaning, yet the one ingredient needed most is שמחה – happiness? Let us celebrate together your child’s first major milestone with perfection. By giving your child a proper Bris Milah, you’re not only showering him with unconditional love, but you’re also giving him the chance and opportunity of entering the Covenant of Avraham Avinu, and by doing so becoming a full fledged member of the Jewish nation, linking us back to our holy forefathers. Bris Milah is your child’s first and most important mitzvah. When reaching this first milestone, we celebrate joyously and pray together that your child grow to fulfill his dreams and accomplish his goals with ease and tranquility. On this happy occasion Mohel Rabbi Avrohom Rubin, wishes upon you and your family, health, happiness and a shower of blessings.

Certified Mohel

reply to post by SUICIDEHK45


And he will personally suck the blood out of your baby's penis. Does anyone else connect this in their mind with ancient Egypt and their practices of castrating those who weren't fit for the breeding class?

I have so many comments about this, unfortunately 99% of them would involve a "Extreme T&C Violation" banner replacing them, so there is really no point.

reply to post by SUICIDEHK45


Same here. Not digging at the mods, or this wonderful site, but just the fact that we are almost expected to treat religion and their practices with an almost elevated sense of respect just blows me away.

So, in order to prevent a T&C breach, all I will say is this.......... GRUMBLE!!!!&^@!*&!^!!!!

So has it been the same Mohel performing this ritual for each one of the 11 newborns?
Or, are there a lot other Mohels out there that may spread Herpes too.?