Q. I recently attended a brit milah officiated by a female mohel. What is the law on this matter?
A. Although it would appear that historically women have performed circumcisions, such as Tzipporah (Shemos 4,25) or the two women executed by Antiochus, for performing Bris Mila (Makabim2,6 – see also Yevamot 64b), in Halacha the opinions vary.
Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 264,1) rules that a woman is allowed to circumcise, following Rabi Yochanan's opinion (Avoda Zarah 27a). Rambam's view is that a woman is acceptable only if there is no man available (H. Milah 2,1). Remoh (Y.D. ibid.) opines that even when no man is present, we need wait (Shach ibid. 2). And there is the decision of the Semak and Hagohos Mordechai (et al. see Bach ibid.) that follows Rav's judgment (Avodah Zarah ibid.) and disqualifies a Bris Milah performed by a woman, even after the fact.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that regardless of the above-mentioned rulings, Halacha requires a Mohel to be a proper Torah-observant person.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld, as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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