Re: Bris during Yom Kippur

MICHAEL TURNIANSKY (mt0013@epfl2.epflbalto.org)
Fri, 8 Nov 1996 14:12:57 -0500 (EST)

Mr. Howard asks:
> A close friend just became a new grandfather a couple of weeks ago.
> There had been some concern that the baby, a boy, might be born during
> the High Holidays. If the baby had been born 8 days before Yom Kippur,
> could the Bris take place on that day? It is my understanding that there
> are no exceptions to the "8 day rule" for having a Bris.

Actually there are several exceptions. If the baby's life was in
danger (even moderately so), it may not be performed until the baby is
healthy enough. If the baby was born by Caesarean, it may not be
performed on Shabbat or holiday. If the baby was born at twilight
(between sunset and darkness), when a halakhic doubt exists as to whether
it was born on the "day before" or the "day after", it may not be
performed on a Shabbat or holiday. Barring these, yes it is performed on
Yom Kippur itself (except there is no celebratory meal, of course).

Mike Turniansky