Halachic Highlights

Question: What should be done where a bris milah was performed before the eighth day?

 Short Answer: While some poskim rule that hatafas dam bris (i.e., symbolic drawing of blood) is necessary where a bris milah is performed before the eighth day, the Rama disagrees and rules that it is unnecessary. However, even the Rama agrees that a milah performed at night requires a subsequent symbolic drawing of blood during the day.

Question: Should a chazan daven a long private Sh’moneh Esrei or stretch out his davening through extensive singing?

Question: If the father of the baby is returning from a business trip overseas on the eighth day, can others perform the bris milah without the father, or must they wait for him to arrive?

Question: May a chazan take three steps back and begin Chazaras HaShatz where other people are still davening Sh’moneh Esrei directly behind him and to his sides?

Question: May a father who is capable of performing a bris milah on his son (i.e., he is a doctor) hire a mohel to perform the milah?

Question: May a chazan start Chazaras HaShatz immediately after finishing his silent Sh’moneh Esrei?

 Short Answer: While some poskim rule that a chazan must pause for a few seconds before starting Chazaras HaShatz, many poskim rule that this is only a custom and not imperative. The chazan can likely rely on the lenient opinion where other factors, such as the embarrassment of the Rabbi (who has already finished his silent Sh’moneh Esrei), are in play.