Repost XIV: Sterility and Cleanliness

In early 2018 I made a Table of Contents for the this website, creating several pages that could be accessed from the Main ToC. 

One of those pages covered Mohel Standards, which included several subsections covering sterility and cleanliness. Here is the link specific to sterility.

The first time I addressed this is one of the first pieces of content in this website, Cleanliness and Efficiency, with some common sense ticket items to look for when hiring a mohel. Of course, most mohels fit these criteria (thank God - if they didn't it's hard to imagine they'd still be invited to perform brisses), but some can certainly raise the bar. That said, arm yourself with questions based on what you find there!

Way back in early 2009 I wrote an article entitled "Raising the Bar on Bris Practices" for a Jewish newspaper in New York.

In short, beyond the obvious cleanliness factor [which can sometimes be a challenge, though never insurmountable, in a public space] here are a few things you need to be aware of, and should find out if you have any concern over how your chosen mohel operates. If you've seen him work, or have gotten glowing reviews from friends, you have nothing to worry about! But if you have questions...

How does he clean and sterilize his surgical instruments and bandages? i.e. an autoclave machine

How does he keep the working area clean, especially in a public space such as a synagogue or restaurant?

Does he wear gloves when in contact with my baby, or at the very least when dealing with an open wound?

How does he do Metzitzah?

I wrote this a long time ago when I became aware of a certain mohel who badmouths other mohels, claiming only the "brisses he does are kosher." And when I heard from a pedatrician friend of mine of the damage this man has done to some children (because the pediatrician witnessed it and was on site to repair it later in the hospital), I touched on a few important matters, including areas mohels should be above board in their attention to the baby for his circumcision.