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Professional Issues for the Physician Mo

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As Conservative Jewish communities face declining rates of brit milah and a shortage of qualified practitioners, the role of physician/mohalim offers a potential bridge between medical expertise and religious tradition. The Brit Kodesh initiative's training of Jewish physicians as mohalim exemplifies emerging efforts to address these community needs while preserving ritual authenticity. Through analysis of training programs and historical precedent, this research reveals distinct advantages of the physician/mohel model: comprehensive medical knowledge, malpractice coverage, hospital access, and current familiarity with circumcision literature. However, successful implementation requires navigating complex challenges, including potential role confusion between medical and religious functions, concerns about ritual medicalization, and the necessity of proper halakhic certification. The methodology examines both historical context and contemporary training approaches, particularly focusing on the Conservative movement's responses to changing medical attitudes and decreased religious observance. Findings emphasize that physician/mohalim must maintain high standards of Jewish observance, complete thorough religious training, and complement rather than replace existing mohalim. When properly trained and certified, physician/mohalim represent a viable solution that upholds both medical standards and the religious integrity of brit milah within Conservative Judaism.

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    Published 1990

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  • Publication Credits

    Michael Grodin