Mohel Mohel A mohel ( , Ashkenazi pronunciation , plural: "mohalim" , "mohala", "circumciser") is a Jew trained in the practice of "brit milah", the "covenant of circumcision." The noun "mohel" ("mohala" in Aramaic) "circumciser", is derived from the same verb stem as "milah" "circumcision." The noun appeared for the first time in the fourth century as the title of a circumciser (Shabbat 156a). For Jews, male circumcision is mandatory, as it is prescribed in the Torah. In the Book of Genesis as a mark of the Covenant between God and the descendants of Abraham: "Throughout all generations, every male shall
Who is a Jew? meaning "forced ones"), and their matrilineal descendants are likewise considered to be Jewish. Judaism has a category for those who are Jewish but who do not practice or who do not accept the tenets of Judaism, whether or not they have converted to another religion. The traditional view regarding these individuals, known as Meshumadim (), is that they are Jewish; however, there is much debate in the rabbinic literature regarding their status vis-a-vis the application of Jewish law and their participation in Jewish ritual, but not to their status as Jews. A Jew who leaves Judaism is free to return