Baby boys got sick after the ultra-Orthodox practice
By Reuven Blau / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Two Brooklyn infants have contracted herpes through a controversial religious circumcision ritual in the past three months, according to the city’s Health Department.
The unidentified baby boys became sick after the centuries-old, ultra-Orthodox ritual associated with the bris known as metzizah b’peh.
Under the practice, the rabbi or mohel removes blood from the wound on the baby’s penis with his mouth — a practice city Health Department officials have slammed, saying it carries “inherent risks” for babies.
The Bloomberg administration has moved to require mohels who perform the ritual to provide parents with a document informing them of the health risks involved. The parents must then sign a consent form.
But several influential religious Jewish organizations have sued, arguing the policy violates the First Amendment.
In January, a federal judge ruled against the group’s initial legal maneuver to block the new city policy.
Continue reading Jewish circumcision leave 2 infants in New York with Herpes
