Canada Pushes to Place Sanctions on Circumcision

New regulations in Canada threaten to limit the performance of one of the most important Torah commandments: Brit Milah (circumcision).

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba issued new standards of practice which, as written, would only permit a male infant circumcision to be performed in a medical facility or doctor’s office. The college says its proposed practice standard is being developed to minimize risks around a range of specific office-based medical procedures, with male circumcision among many outlined in the draft.

This restriction would go into effect in the fall and would effectively ban brit milah, the Jewish rite that was first described as being performed by Abraham in the Bible. The commandment welcomes each Jewish baby boy into God’s covenant on the eighth day after his birth and is performed by the vast majority of Jewish parents including those who self-define as secular.

The CPSM received about 200 written responses from the Jewish community objecting to the change, including a lengthy statement from the Winnipeg Council of Rabbis.

“We want to assure the public that the standard will not infringe on any human or religious rights and freedoms whatsoever,” Dr. Ziomek added.

The CPSM updated its website last week, promising to revise its guidelines regarding religious circumcision. (i365 / VFI News)