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Comments on Why an on-time circumcision?
Parent
Why an on-time circumcision?
I have frequently heard people wish a newborn baby boy that he "merit an on-time circumcision". Now, in general, an on-time circumcision is performed if the baby is healthy enough, and is not performed if the baby is not healthy enough. And that's certainly a good enough reason to wish the baby an on-time circumcision. But is there another reason? Specifically, is there some spiritual benefit attached to having (or having had) an on-time circumcision rather than a later one?
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First of all, this is specifically a part of the Misheberach that is recited by the Gabbai the first time the father gets an Aliyah after the birth of a son, at least if that is before the 8th day. If it is after the 8th day or if there is a known problem preventing an on-time Bris - e.g., a C-section that took place on Shabbos - then the word B'zmano/"on-time" is skipped.
The commandment for a Bris really has two parts. One is specifically for the 8th day, as stated in Leviticus 12:3, and the other is for any time from the 8th day onward. In fact, if a boy does not have a Bris by age 13 then he has a responsibility for it himself rather than it being a responsibility of his parents. Not having a Bris on the 8th day can happen for a lot of reasons and a "late" Bris is no less valid than an 8th day Bris, but an 8th day Bris is preferred.
An on-time (8th day) Bris is preferred Halachically. In particular, an on-time Bris overrides Shabbos, at least to a limited degree. The Bris procedure itself involves a number of Melachos ("work" actions prohibited on Shabbos/Yom Tov). If the Bris is on-time then a Bris can, and in fact should, take place on Shabbos. However, if the Bris is not on-time due to illness or other reasons (e.g., unable to get a Mohel on the 8th day), or if the baby was born via C-section, or if the baby was born between sunset and "three stars" on Friday night or Saturday night then the Bris is not performed on Shabbos.
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