New York – Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder today responded to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, who have proposed to require written consent for performance of bris milah, when such circumcisions involve the performance of metzitzah b’peh.
“As you know, we are fortunate to live in a city that is full of the traditions and customs of many cultures, and as an elected official, I pride myself in supporting the wonderful diversity expressed by the people of our great city,” said Goldfeder.”Our Mayor is attempting to destroy the richness of age-old traditions like circumcision, a ritual vital to both Judaism and Islam, by requiring needless regulation. The religious and civil rights of parents to continue a tradition that has been practiced for thousands of years is now in jeopardy. In addition, the Mayor’s misguided policies are based solely on assumptions that the CDC admits, ‘might not be valid.'”
“The mayor has once again overstepped his authority and is attempting to regulate thousands of years of Jewish tradition,” continued Goldfeder. “His public statements and positions are increasingly leading to religious intolerance. By regulating portions of circumcision, the mayor is guiding the city down a slippery slope that can have unimaginable consequences on all forms of religious practice.”
{Andy Heller-Matzav.com Newscenter}
How about slamming Bloomberg for something a lot worse; sg marriage?!
Yasher Koyach
so altogether they’re finding ways to cover a retreat, for a later date.
Beautifully Written. The Jewish tradition does not allow one to harm another. The Rabbis have not agreed to halt the age old tradition as it doesn’t constitute any harmful risk to the child. Mr. Bloomberg, you may be successful, but your lack of religion and tradition, doesn’t give you the knowledge and certainly not the piety to regulate the holy mitzvah of Bris, something you desecreated by supporting the same gender marriage. Mr. Mayor this is not your expertise.
hey “hesh” # 1. “a lot worse”. really???
To # 5:
Yes, a lot worse! The Torah Hakdosha calls it Toieva!!!