09.06.2012                      19.Siwan. 5772                      Beha'alotcha

Judentum:

N.Y. health chief calls for end to metzitzah b’peh rite in circumcisions

U.S. Health Department investigations show that 11 infants contracted the herpes virus between 2000 to 2011 as a result of the rite.

The New York City Health Commissioner called for an end to a controversial circumcision-related rite.
In a strongly worded statement, Dr. Thomas Farley said that direct oral-genital suction, known as metzitzah b'peh, should not be performed during Jewish ritual circumcision. He said that several hospitals, including those serving the haredi Orthodox Jewish community, have agreed to distribute a brochure that describes the risk of contracting the herpes virus from the practice….