Not sure your brit was kosher?

General information only. Every case is decided by a rabbi.

This is more common than you think

Many men aren’t sure what was done when they were babies. These are the situations we hear about most often:

• You were circumcised in a hospital, by a doctor, and there was no brit milah.
• You were born abroad, often in the former Soviet Union, and nobody knows exactly what was done: a secret brit, a medical circumcision, or something in between.
• Your parents have passed away or never spoke about it, and there are no records.
• You were told at some point that something wasn’t done right, and never found out for sure.
• It healed in a way that left you with a question.

Finding out is simple, and private

It starts with a phone call. Tell us what you know, even if it’s very little. Often that alone is enough to tell you what’s likely.

If it needs a closer look, we arrange a short, private consultation with an experienced mohel, who tells you honestly what he sees. Quite often the answer is that nothing needs to be done at all, and men are relieved to hear it from someone with no reason to say otherwise.

Rather not talk first?

Some men find it easier to start with a message. Write to us on WhatsApp and we’ll take it from there. A final answer is always given in person.

If something does need to be done

If you were circumcised without a brit, for example in a hospital, what’s usually needed is hatafat dam brit: a quick pinprick to draw a single drop of blood, with the blessings. It’s far smaller than most men fear before they call.

If an earlier circumcision was incomplete, a correction may be needed. It’s done under local anesthesia, with pain management planned in advance and your medical history gone over first.

Either way, we explain exactly what’s involved before anything is arranged.

Your privacy comes first

These conversations stay between us. Nobody else needs to know that you called, what we discussed, or what, if anything, was done. And cost is never the reason to wait.

Short answers

I was circumcised in a hospital, by a doctor. Is that a kosher brit?

A medical circumcision done in a hospital, without a brit milah, is usually completed with hatafat dam brit, a quick and simple procedure. Call us and we’ll explain what applies in your case.

How do I know if my brit was kosher?

Tell us what you know, even if it’s very little. Often that alone is enough to tell you what’s likely. If it needs a closer look, a short private consultation settles it, and quite often nothing needs to be done.

I’m not sure I had a brit at all. How can I find out?

Many men are in the same position, especially if they were born abroad or their parents never spoke about it. A private conversation, and if needed a short consultation, gives you a clear answer.

Is a correction painful?

When a correction is needed, it’s done under local anesthesia, with pain management planned in advance.

Will this stay private?

Yes. Our conversations are confidential, and nobody else needs to know.