What is metzitzah b'peh?
Metzitzah b'peh is a controversial practice associated with traditional Jewish circumcision (bris milah). It involves the circumciser, or mohel, orally suctioning blood from the circumcision wound on the infant's penis after the foreskin has been cut. The practice has been linked to the transmission of herpes simplex virus, which has led to serious health consequences in some cases. In recent years, there have been debates and discussions within the Jewish community about whether or not metzitzah b'peh should continue to be practiced. Some have called for the use of alternative methods that do not involve oral suctioning to reduce the risk of infection.
What is the origin of this practice compared to traditional circumcisions performed by mohels today?
Metzitzah b'peh has its origins in the Talmudic era and has been practiced by some Jewish communities for centuries. It was believed that this practice helped to prevent infection and promote healing after circumcision.

Today, most mohels still perform traditional circumcisions, which involve the removal of the foreskin and the application of a sterile dressing to the wound. However, the practice of metzitzah b'peh is now controversial and is not universally practiced. Some mohels still perform the practice, while others have abandoned it in favor of alternative methods, such as the use of a sterile pipette or gauze to suction the wound.

There is ongoing debate within the Jewish community about the safety and appropriateness of metzitzah b'peh, with some calling for its continued use in accordance with tradition and others advocating for its replacement with safer alternatives. At the end, the decision about whether to perform metzitzah b'peh is left to individual mohels and the families they serve.