Free Web Hosting by Netfirms
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms

Return to the home page

Shulchan Aruch and Rama on Laws of Circumcision)

 

Yoreh Deah

 

Chapter 260

 

1) It is a Positive commandment for a father to circumcise his son; and this commandment is greater than other commandments.

Chapter 261

    1. If the father has not circumcised his son, the Beth Din is required to circumcise him. If the Beth Din did not circumcise him, he is required to circumcise himself when he grows up. If he does not circumcise himself, he is liable kareth. Gloss: and every day he is transgressing this punishment (Tur and Kol Bo). One may not circumcise someone else's son against the father's will, unless the father transgressed, and did not perform the circumcision. Then the Beth Din shall circumcise the son against his will (Tur quoting the Rambam). A woman is not obligated to circumcise her son (Tur). If father who does not know how to circumcise, and there is a mohel in the area who is not willing to circumcise for free, only for a fee, then the Beth Din should yell at the mohel; since he is not acting in the manner of Abraham. Mohels should try to circumcise the bo. If the father still refuses and nobody supervises to give him his fee, it is as if there is no father, since Beth Din is required to circumcise him. Therefore, the Beth Din shall force him since there is nobody else that will perform the circumcision (Rashba ch. 472).

 

Chapter 262

 

 This page is currently under construction