Why Families Choose a Mohel Over a Doctor for Circumcision
When it comes to infant circumcision, families in Chicago and around the world face an important decision: Should they choose a doctor or a mohel? While medical professionals certainly have expertise, many families—both Jewish and non-Jewish—turn to an experienced mohel for this deeply meaningful procedure. Here’s why families prefer a mohel over a doctor for their son’s circumcision.
1. Expertise in Infant Circumcision
A mohel specializes exclusively in infant circumcision, performing hundreds or even thousands of procedures throughout their career. Unlike doctors who may only perform circumcisions occasionally as part of a broader medical practice, a skilled mohel has honed precision, speed, and a gentle touch to minimize discomfort for the baby. A skilled mohel with years of experience brings unparalleled expertise to the procedure. Mohels are trained not only in the technical aspects but also in ensuring the baby’s well-being throughout the process, offering a level of reassurance that many parents find invaluable.
I still remember when my wife was working as a nurse in the hospital. She specialized in post-partum care and would often witness the obstetricians performing circumcisions. One day, an OB candidly admitted, “I still have no idea why they have us doing circumcisions. This isn’t our specialty.” This statement stuck with her—and with me. It reinforced the idea that circumcision should be performed by someone with dedicated expertise, not just as an additional task tacked onto a doctor’s broader responsibilities. This is why so many families seek out a mohel—someone whose entire focus is on ensuring a safe, precise, and compassionate circumcision experience for their child.
2. A Time-Honored Tradition
For Jewish families, choosing a mohel is not just about the technical aspect of circumcision—it’s about passing on a sacred tradition to the next generation. It is fulfilling our heritage by adding another link in the unbroken chain dating back thousands of years. A bris (brit milah) is a religious milestone, performed on the eighth day of a baby boy’s life. A skilled and scholarly mohel not only ensures that it is done according to Halacha (Jewish law) with all the appropriate customs, but he transforms the act from a surgery to a spiritually uplifting ceremony.
There is a Gemara in Sanhedrin 110 on which the great commentator, Rashi, explains that the Fear of Heaven is physically imbued permanently into one’s body through the Bris Milah. It is then our sacred responsibility to channel the use of our male member for holiness in childbearing and relationship building within the construct of holy matrimony.
Even non-Jewish families seeking a more natural and holistic approach appreciate the time-tested techniques of a mohel. The ceremony often includes blessings, communal support, and the presence of loved ones, making it a meaningful and joyous occasion.
This stands in stark contrast to the cold medical vibe of the hospital circumcision, which is an operation, not a celebration. A hospital circumcision does not fulfill the mandates of Bris Milah for a multitude of reasons ranging from the method used to the time it is performed to the person performing the circumcision. Essentially a hospital circumcision gets everything wrong aside from the physical removal of the foreskin.
As a Mohel for over a decade, I have had many families thank me profusely, not just for running a beautiful ceremony but for keeping their family properly connected to this timeless tradition. It is quite common for families to ask me to bless their child after the ceremony. This request comes from both Jewish families after a Bris and non-Jewish families after a circumcision. Many Catholics are reconnecting to the Torah which they call the Old Testament and want to follow by the laws stated there as eternal.
By choosing a Mohel like Rabbi Shmuel Katz, The Chicago Mohel, one ensures that they will fulfill the time-honored tradition in a joyous manner surrounded by loved ones.
3. A More Comfortable Experience for the Baby
Hospital circumcisions often involve multiple clamps to stretch and crush the foreskin and take considerably longer than a skilled Mohel. In contrast, a skilled mohel uses a specialized technique designed for efficiency and minimal discomfort. Many parents are amazed at how quickly and smoothly a mohel completes the procedure, often within seconds. Additionally, a mohel prioritizes soothing techniques such as sugar water, wine, or natural pain relief methods, which can help calm the baby. Unlike hospital circumcisions which use injections of local pain killers before the circumcision, a skilled Mohel like The Chicago Mohel will use a topical agent immediately after the circumcision to soothe the baby without the use of any injections. The medicated bandage is applied immediately following the circumcision to enhance the healing process and reduce any discomfort for the baby. The goal is to ensure the baby is at ease before, during, and after the procedure, with special attention to reducing stress and discomfort.
4. Convenience of Home Circumcision / Local Synagogue Bris Milah
Happy Family smiling for picture after a home circumcision
One of the biggest advantages of choosing a mohel in Chicago is the ability to have the procedure performed in the comfort of your own home or a synagogue setting, rather than a clinical hospital environment. While Rabbi Shmuel Katz, The Chicago Mohel, does offer in-clinic circumcisions at Kids First Pediatric Partners in Skokie, most families prefer a home circumcision or a Bris Milah in their local shul/ synagogue.
A major factor for many families who choose a mohel is the convenience of not having to travel to a hospital or clinic for the procedure. For many new parents, every trip into and out of the car with the new baby is a whole process. A mohel will come to your home, eliminating the stress of travelling with your newborn baby. It also eliminates the stress of scheduling a hospital visit or exposing your newborn to unnecessary environments. This allows parents to remain in a familiar, comfortable setting while receiving expert care. Home circumcision and local Bris Milah also allows for immediate family to participate and creates a more relaxed atmosphere for both parents and baby.
Families appreciate the personal attention and immediate post-procedure care provided by the mohel, ensuring a warm and intimate experience. Mohels also follow up directly with families to monitor healing and provide guidance, something not always available in a medical setting. The ability to ask questions, receive reassurance, and know that the mohel is just a phone call away makes a significant difference for parents.
5. Reduced Medicalization & Faster Healing
Because a mohel performs circumcisions using time-honored techniques designed specifically for newborns, many parents report that healing times are quicker than those seen in hospital circumcisions. The absence of harsh surgical tools and unnecessary medical intervention often leads to a more natural healing process. Mohels also provide clear post-care instructions and remain available for follow-up questions, ensuring that parents feel fully supported throughout the healing process.
Rabbi Shmuel Katz, The Chicago Mohel, blends advanced medical breakthroughs with timeless tradition to ensure that every baby has the fastest healing time with the most aesthetically pleasing results and the least amount of discomfort. Among other factors, Rabbi Katz uses a special bandage infused with a natural mineral which enhances the body’s natural clotting factors and sends a message to the body to stop bleeding. Within minutes, the bandage is removed and the bleeding will have stopped.
6. Trusted by Jewish and Non-Jewish Families Alike
While the role of a mohel is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, many non-Jewish families seeking a gentle, expert-led circumcision also turn to a mohel in Chicago. Whether due to religious, cultural, or personal preferences, they value the precision, experience, and compassionate approach a mohel brings to the process. Families from all backgrounds appreciate the mohel’s dedication to a comfortable and safe experience for their newborns.
Finding the Right Mohel in Chicago
If you’re considering a mohel for your son’s circumcision, it’s important to choose one with a strong reputation for expertise, hygiene, and care. The Chicago Mohel is trusted by families across the city and beyond, providing professional, compassionate circumcision services tailored to each family’s needs. With years of experience, a commitment to excellence, and a gentle, expert approach, Rabbi Shmuel Katz, The Chicago Mohel, ensures that your baby’s circumcision is performed with the highest standards of care.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a mohel over a doctor for circumcision is a decision rooted in tradition, expertise, and a desire for a more personal, meaningful experience. Whether for religious reasons or simply to ensure the best possible care for your baby, a mohel provides unparalleled skill and sensitivity that families deeply appreciate.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact The Chicago Mohel today.
📞 Phone: 347-794-6322
📧 Email: thechicagomohel@gmail.com
🌐 Website: thechicagomohel.com
