What is a Bris?
Pre-Bris Checkup: Why It Matters
Some mohelim schedule a bris without ever seeing the baby beforehand. In certain cases, that's fine — a few simple questions over the phone are enough to confirm that everything seems normal. But babies can surprise us, and catching small issues early can make the difference between a smooth bris and a last-minute delay.
That’s why many experienced mohelim, including Rabbi Shlomo Golish, strongly recommend a pre-bris checkup — either at home or in person before the big day.
Meeting the Mohel
For many families, this visit is also an opportunity to meet the mohel in advance. But for the mohel, it’s a crucial time to assess the baby’s readiness for bris milah, especially in three key areas:
Jaundice (Yellowing of the Skin)
According to halacha, a baby showing signs of yellowing — what we call jaundice — may not be circumcised until the color fades. This yellow hue comes from elevated bilirubin levels, which are common in newborns.
A skilled mohel can often judge jaundice by the baby’s overall tone — particularly on the torso, legs, and back (not just the face). If there’s any concern, you may be referred for bilirubin testing to confirm the level. While there’s some variation between mohelim, many will postpone the bris if bilirubin exceeds 13–14.
Tip for parents: If your baby looks yellow and you'd like to bring the levels down naturally, feeding is key. Supplementing with bottles (just during this period) can help flush out bilirubin. Some newborns tire easily during nursing and may not feed enough — starting with a bottle can make all the difference.
Eye Infections or Discharge
Halachically, a bris must be delayed if a baby has a true eye infection. Signs include:
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Swollen or red inner eyelid
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Difficulty opening the eye
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Yellow or green discharge
Sometimes, newborns develop a blocked tear duct, which causes discharge without being a full infection. In those cases, a bris can usually proceed, but the mohel may recommend eyedrops as a precaution.
It’s important to notify your mohel early if you notice any eye-related symptoms.
Strength & Reflexes
The mohel will briefly evaluate your baby’s general health and strength. This includes:
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Can he lift his head, even a little?
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Does he grasp with his hands?
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Do his arms and legs show normal newborn tone?
These checks help confirm that the baby is thriving and fit for a bris. If anything seems off, the mohel may suggest following up with your pediatrician before proceeding.
Anatomy and Bris Approach
Every baby is unique. While most babies have typical anatomy, some may have conditions such as hypospadias, chordee, or hydrocele, which require medical consultation or a modified approach to circumcision. These conditions aren’t always disclosed in the hospital and may not be noticeable to parents.
Even without complications, anatomy varies. Rabbi Golish takes an individualized, precision-based approach to every bris — tailoring technique based on the baby's unique structure, rather than a one-size-fits-all method. That’s why a quick pre-bris look can be so valuable.
What You'll Get at the Checkup
At the checkup, you’ll receive:
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A list of items to bring to the bris
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Guidance on kibbudim (honors) for the ceremony (for the actual list, click here)
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Personal advice tailored to your baby’s needs
This ensures you're fully prepared for a smooth and meaningful bris.
Curious about what you need to be ready for? See our Bris Preparation Guide.
The Bris Procedure — Step by Step
For those who want to understand more of the technical side, here is a walk-through of the main stages. While some of the steps are brief and may cause momentary discomfort, the procedure is usually completed within a matter of minutes.
Step 1: Positioning the Baby (Sandak)
The baby is gently placed on the lap of the Sandak (a special honor), who holds him still while the mohel performs the procedure. The baby may cry from the change in position or temperature, not necessarily from pain.
Step 2: Cleaning and Sterilization
The mohel thoroughly cleans the area and ensures it is sterile. This step is completely painless and simply prepares the area for the bris.
Step 3: Separation (Hafrada)
Newborn anatomy often includes a second layer of skin, called the inner prepuce (or hapriyah), that is lightly attached beneath the foreskin. The mohel gently separates this layer from the glans to ensure the circumcision will be complete. This takes only a few seconds.
Step 4: Positioning the Shield (Tfisa)
The mohel selects the precise area to remove and places a protective shield (called a mogen) to guard the glans during the cut. This step requires careful focus and only takes a moment.
Step 5: The Cut (Chituch)
Using a sterilized instrument, the mohel removes the foreskin in a clean, swift motion.
Step 6: Uncovering the Glans (Priyah)
After the cut, the inner layer of skin becomes visible. This layer is gently opened and folded back so the glans is fully revealed. This ensures that the mitzvah is properly fulfilled according to halacha and that the area will heal correctly.
Step 7: Suction (Metzitzah)
A traditional part of the procedure includes drawing blood from the site as a halachic requirement. This step is done quickly and with appropriate care, based on the mohel’s training and community custom.
Step 8: Bandaging
The mohel applies a protective bandage, which helps:
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Stop any bleeding
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Support the healing process
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Ensure the exposed area remains uncovered as it heals
Many mohalim apply a safe, topical anesthetic as part of the bandaging to minimize discomfort in the immediate moments afterward.
What Parents Can Expect
The entire process usually takes just a few minutes. Rabbi Shlomo Golish’s approach is precise, gentle, and focused on quick healing. Parents are typically amazed at how quickly their baby calms down once the bandage is applied and the bris is complete.
You’ll receive full guidance on:
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How to care for the baby afterward
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When to remove the bandage
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What’s normal (and not) to see during healing
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When to contact the mohel for a follow-up
Looking for the perfect name for your baby boy? Check out our Popular Hebrew Names for Boys for inspiration.
Looking for a Mohel in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, or Connecticut?
Rabbi Shlomo Golish performs brissim throughout the region, including Lakewood, Jackson, Brooklyn, Queens, the Five Towns, Passaic, and more. In-home pre-bris checkups may be available depending on location and availability. Learn more about Rabbi Shlomo Golish and his Bris services.