Bris News and Articles
(Scroll down for other news and my articles)

In June, 2005, I co-authored the following policy statement issued by the Rabbinical Council of America regarding a traditional practice known as metzitza b'peh (oral suctioning). In keeping with the ruling of this statement, it is my practice not to do metzitza b'peh, but rather to use a pipette or other suction device to perform this component of the bris:

Metzitza Be'Peh - Halachic Clarification Regarding Metzitza Be'Peh, RCA Clarifies Halachic Background to Statement of March 1, 2005
http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100605/

To see my article in Jewish Action, the Orthodox Union's national magazine, on the subject, click below:
Metzitzah B'peh Controversy: Rabbinic Polemics and Applying the Lessons of History
http://www.ou.org/index.php/jewish_action/article/8976/

The following two links to media articles address the issue of metzitza b'peh and have me quoted.

After infant's death, scrutiny on circumcision rite
http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2005/02/17/news/

Death Spotlights Old Circumcision Rite
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/searchview.php?id=13676

Other News Items

Rabbis' Ethics Initiative Evokes Cheers, Criticism
http://www.jewishjournal.com/community/article/rabbis_ethics_initiative_evokes_cheers_criticism_20090311//

L.A. Orthodox rabbis want business ethics to be kosher, too
http://www.jewishjournal.com/religion/article/la_orthodox_rabbis_want_business_ethics_to_be_kosher_too_20081015//

Rabbi Revolution
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/searchview.php?id=10641

Are You There, God?
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/searchview.php?id=7655

A Push to Curb Drug Abuse Among Orthodox Youths
http://www.eppc.org/publications/programID.5,pubID.2307/

Articles on-line

Curse or Blessing?
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/parashat_emor_leviticus_211-2423_20100427///

Book Review of Hillel Halkin's "Yehuda HaLevi"
http://www.jewishjournal.com/books/article/new_yehuda_halevi_bio_captures_poetry_of_the_12th_century_20100408///

Joseph's Tears
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/parashat_vayechi_genesis_4728-5026_20100104///

Praying for the Government
http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2009/09/15/praying-for-the-government//

The Tragic Figure
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/the_tragic_figure_20090818///

Spare the Rod
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/spare_the_rod_20090702///

What it Takes to Be a Jewish Leader
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/what_it_takes_to_be_a_jewish_leader_20090414///

Ethics Plan Would Raise Sanctity of Business
http://www.jewishjournal.com/opinion/article/ethics_plan_would_raise_sanctity_of_business_20090318//

Inauguration Anticipation
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/inauguration_anticipation_20090114///

Lentil Soup
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/lentil_soup_20081126//

How to Comfort and Be Comforted
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/how_to_comfort_and_be_comforted_20080813/

Ingredients for a Successful Marriage
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/ingredients_for_a_successful_marriage_20080528//

Patriot Jew
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/patriot_jew_20080314/

Picking Up the Pieces
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/picking_up_the_pieces_20071012/

Enemy in Our Midst
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/enemy_in_our_midst_20070713/

It's All Downhill From Here
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/its_all_downhill_from_here_20070420/

Heroes and Villains
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/heroes_and_villains_20070119/

Finding Mr. and Ms. Right
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/finding_mr_and_ms_right_20061117/

Greeting the Stranger
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/greeting_the_stranger_20060908/

Whose View?
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/whose_view_20060623/

Get a Life, George
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/get_a_life_george_20060310/

Fear of Isaac
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/fear_of_isaac_20051209/

Life at a Standstill
http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/life_at_a_standstill_20050930/

Behind the Kvetch
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/searchview.php?id=14149

You Are What You Wear
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/searchview.php?id=13685

Herring and Haftarah
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/searchview.php?id=13632

Fear or Fury?
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/searchview.php?id=12942

Lost in Translation
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/searchview.php?id=12238

In the Eyes of the Beholder
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/searchview.php?id=11539

Roots of the Divine
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/searchview.php?id=11269

The Big Question
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/searchview.php?id=10856