About Circumcision - Laws
Part III | Medical reasons for postponement

A brit may not be performed on an ill child until he is fully recovered. The slightest ailment or the least pain, as determined by a Mohel, doctor or rabbi may be reason enough to postpone the brit until the child is healed.

The above applies only to an ailment affecting the entire body, in which case we must wait seven days before doing the brit. However, if the disease is one that affects only a certain part of the body, there is no waiting period and the brit can be carried out immediately upon full recovery.

The most common cause for delaying circumcision is a condition known as jaundice, in which the child’s skin is a shade of yellow. The generally accepted view is that as soon as this clears up, the circumcision can be carried out. However, if the condition is serious enough to warrant a blood transfusion, the brit then can only be carried out after seven full days after recovery.

An underweight child cannot be circumcised. However, once the necessary weight is achieved, the brit can be performed immediately without a waiting period.
A brit may not be postponed simply for the sake of convenience.
If a brit must be postponed, the Hebrew name is given to the baby when the brit does actually take place.

Table Of Contents | next - What time of day should the brit take place?

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