The APP decided to investigate the practice of Metzizah Bpeh in NJ and Lakewood in particular. Lakewood mohalim who were contacted by the press refused to share any information or get involved with the press story.
The headline read "Lakewood babies face herpes risk, NJ lacks safety rules for controversial circumcision"
Nothing happened recently that prompted this investigation of an old story . One wonders why now?
According to the article "the issue has prompted state senator Rober"t Singer, a Republican who lives in Lakewood, to consider legislation to test rabbis for herpes. Singer, a member of the Ocean County Board of Health, said he's also interested exploring whether it would be wise to have "mohels tested maybe once a year."
Rabbi Avi Schnall, from Agudath Israel of America, said testing mohels “risks encroaching the separation of church and state.''
."There has never been any correlation between (the circumcisions) to herpes here,'' Schnaal said. "There are some in the community who would not consider metzitzahb'peh a required part of the ceremony, but there are others who believe it’s an integral part, and the religious right of those people should be defended.'' Read more HERE
The headline read "Lakewood babies face herpes risk, NJ lacks safety rules for controversial circumcision"
Nothing happened recently that prompted this investigation of an old story . One wonders why now?
According to the article "the issue has prompted state senator Rober"t Singer, a Republican who lives in Lakewood, to consider legislation to test rabbis for herpes. Singer, a member of the Ocean County Board of Health, said he's also interested exploring whether it would be wise to have "mohels tested maybe once a year."
Rabbi Avi Schnall, from Agudath Israel of America, said testing mohels “risks encroaching the separation of church and state.''
."There has never been any correlation between (the circumcisions) to herpes here,'' Schnaal said. "There are some in the community who would not consider metzitzahb'peh a required part of the ceremony, but there are others who believe it’s an integral part, and the religious right of those people should be defended.'' Read more HERE