Mohel, Moil, Moyel, or Moyle? One Role, Many Spellings
By Rabbi Shlomo Golish, CM
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Quick summary:
The trained specialist who performs brit milah (bris) is most commonly written Mohel in English. In speech—especially in Ashkenazi/Yiddish-influenced communities—the same word is often pronounced moy-el, which appears in writing as moyel or moil. Rarer forms such as moel and moyle also surface in community usage and searches; all refer to the same role.
Why the spellings differ (transliteration & vowels)
The Hebrew term מוֹהֵל features the vowel cholam. In modern Israeli Hebrew it’s realized as an “o” sound (→ mo-hel), while in Ashkenazi/Yiddish pronunciation the same vowel becomes “oy” (→ moy-hel). When that moy-hel pronunciation is written in English, spellings like moyel and moil naturally appear. The standardized written form in contemporary English sources remains mohel.
How the variants entered English
Community speech shaped early English renderings in synagogue notices, newspapers, and directories; phonetic spellings such as moyel/moil appeared alongside mohel, and some rare forms (e.g., moyle, moiel) linger in informal writing online. Over time, formal publications and dictionaries converged on mohel as the standard written form, while the moy-el pronunciation stayed common.
Pronunciation guide
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Mohel → MOH-hel (standard Hebrew realization); also recorded as MOY-el in English dictionaries.
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Moyel / Moil / Moyle → MOY-el (Yiddish/Ashkenazi-influenced speech).
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Moel → usually intended as MOH-el; a common misspelling of mohel.
Which spelling to use
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Formal writing (programs, websites, educational material): mohel.
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Reflecting speech or legacy usage: moyel/moil (and rarely moyle) are authentic phonetic renderings of the same role.
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Search behavior: people routinely type mohel, moyel, moil, moel, and sometimes moyle—all seeking the same profession.
The role in brief
A mohel is trained to perform brit milah and to guide families through preparation and aftercare with attention to safety, minhagim (customs), and pastoral needs. Many mohalim are rabbis; others are trained lay or medical professionals with specialized expertise. Settings include homes, synagogues, and other appropriate venues.
Practical checklist for selecting a mohel
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Documented training and experience in brit milah
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Clear pre-bris evaluation and instructions
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Professional technique and transparent aftercare
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Sensitivity to religious/cultural context and ceremony leadership
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Availability for questions and follow-up
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Flexibility of setting (home, synagogue, other)
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is “moil” wrong?
A: No. It’s a long-standing phonetic spelling of moy-el. Note that moil is also an unrelated English verb meaning “to work hard.”
Q: Why do some say “moyel” if the written form is “mohel”?
A: Because cholam is “oy” in Ashkenazi/Yiddish pronunciation, yielding moy-el in speech even when the standardized spelling is mohel.
Q: Do dictionaries recognize the pronunciation?
A: Yes—major dictionaries list mohel with /ˈmɔɪ.əl/ (“moy-el”) as a common English pronunciation. Cambridge Dictionary
Q: Is “moyle” legitimate?
A: It appears occasionally in informal/community contexts; it is far less common than mohel/moyel/moil.
Related terms & varients
mohel, moyel, moil, moyle, moel, mohel pronunciation, moyel pronunciation, brit milah, bris professional, Jewish circumcision specialist, at-home bris, cultural circumcision, Hebrew transliteration