Simcha Felder, Hikind Implore Mayor, Dept. Of Health To Leave Metzitzah B’peh Alone

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felderBrooklyn, NY – NYS Senate candidate R’ Simcha Felder and Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn)  issued a joint plea yesterday morning to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York City Department of Health asking for restraint with regard to the pending decision of whether or not to interfere with the practice of performing circumcisions with metzitzah b’peh (direct oral suction). With only two days left until the Dept. of Health votes on a proposal requiring parents to give their informed consent for any bris involving metzitzah b’peh, Hikind and Felder expressed grave concerns over government interference in religious practices.

“An attack on metzitzah b’peh-a tradition practiced by most Orthodox Jews-is an attack on Orthodox Judaism. The proposed law requiring written consent from a parent or legal guardian is an insult to the intelligence and dignity of Orthodox Jews who live in this city. It is degrading to attack a 3000-year-old custom that stands at the very apex of our faith. It is an attack upon the covenant that lies at the heart of our history and culture. A government-sponsored edict against the traditional practice of bris milah-circumcision-is unconscionable and will undoubtedly result in some frightened Jews refraining from the bris milah of their sons altogether.

“By making a law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, New York City would be joining the likes of modern-day Germany in attacking freedom of religion via the rites of circumcision.

“We beseech the mayor and the NYC Department of Health not to go down this path. It is unprecedented and uncalled for. It is a slippery slope that begins the decent into regulation of other religious practices, as well. It is an attack on Judaism, an attack on Jews, and an attack on freedom of religion.

“Don’t tell the Jewish community of New York City that their New Year begins with an evil decree from the office of a mayor they hoped would continue to protect their rights as U.S. citizens freely practicing their religion. Please consider this next step carefully and do the respectful and right thing: Allow us to impart our customs to our children who we love at least as much as the city loves them.”

{Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}


5 COMMENTS

  1. kol hokovod
    Simcha Felder is a true mench of a person, a wonderful person who has helped and will help all of us
    He has a heart of gold

  2. How does signing off on a form interfere with the free exercise of our rights? Would it stop any Yid from doing the right thing?

    I can see a big problem of interference, though, if the language of the form suggests that the practice causes problems.

  3. The main line is missing: The DOH wants the Mohel to declare to every parent a lie, that MbP is really harmful.

    But the last line is great.

  4. i told you already in earlier posts.

    be prepared for all your rights & freedoms to be taken away slowly but surely-not in one shot-& soon WE will not be able to live in the USA as frum yidden. all our rights & freedoms are being taken from us one at a time & the USA is about to become what used to be communist russia

    pack your bags NOW & head for Eretz Yisroel, while the pressure is not so hard & before america is attacked by iran. for then it will be too late & everyone will be leaving in poverty, wishing they had left-now-when they were told.

    BOTTOM LINE:this is all the work of Hashem & the choice is yours if you wish to leave now or wait & suffer ahead C”V

    i wish everyone a ksiva v’chasima tova ahead

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