A Code of Silence and the Ravages of Infecting Infants with Herpes

59d52801d0764551f9c9ea50bdbd9a67

Code of silence’ blocking DOH from finding herpes-infecting mohelim

THE NEW YORK POST

The city Health Department admitted Thursday that it is often unable to identify practitioners who infect newborns with herpes through a controversial ritual Jewish circumcision — because of a code of silence in the ultra-­Orthodox community.

Since 2015, there have been six neonatal cases of herpes linked to the ancient practice known as metzitzah b’peh, which requires a mohel, the person performing the circumcision, to suck blood from the incision on an infant’s penis.

But only two mohelim have been identified for endangering the lives of infants since then.

The Health Department has yet to find the mohel behind the most recent case, first reported Wednesday. It issued a statement Thursday night noting potential obstacles to its investigation.

“Identifying a mohel has always been challenging, and it generally takes time,” the statement read.

“Unfortunately, some in the community are resistant. We are hopeful that won’t happen with this new case, but we don’t know yet.”

The practice has pitted public health officials against leaders in the Hasidic community, who see regulation as an infringement on a religious ritual.

 

For Further Reading:

http://nypost.com/2017/03/08/new-case-of-neonatal-herpes-caused-by-jewish-circumcision/

 

2 thoughts on “A Code of Silence and the Ravages of Infecting Infants with Herpes

  1. Peyote was outlawed despite religious practice.
    These people are going to help make the case that milah will be outlawed altogether.
    There are halachic ways of dealing with the issue that doesnt put infant at risk.

    Like

  2. Another of the wondrous things religious orthodoxy has brought; newborns with herpes. Which one of the 613 commandments mandates this practice?

    Like

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.