CCAR RESPONSA
New American Reform Responsa
103. Doubts about a Soviet Berit
QUESTION: A recent Soviet immigrant had his son circumcised at some risk in Russia. Some blessings, as best as they could be remembered, were recited at the ceremony, but without a minyan. The child is now eight years old; should there be a second berit? (Derryl Levi, Chicago IL)
ANSWER: A berit is valid bediavad even if conducted in an irregular manner, without a minyan, or at the wrong time as the references in the earlier responsa demonstrate. We should congratulate this couple on taking the risk of a beritwhen this was very dangerous in the Soviet Union. The child need not go through any other ritual and should proceed with his normal Jewish education.
April 1989.
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