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Russian Court Rules Circumcision Not Crime

October 14, 1932
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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The High Court here has ruled that the performance of circumcision, prescribed by the Jewish religion is an act not punishable in itself, and is believed to set an important precedent.

The verdict was handed down in connection with the action brought by a Communist father against a Mohel who circumcized his son without his consent, although with the approval of the child’s mother and grandmother.

The court found that the mother’s consent was sufficient and also dismissed the charge brought against the Mohel that he had performed a surgical operation although medically untrained. The court ruled that every competent Mohel is entitled to perform circumcisions.

The Mohel was, however, held for trial for an unsanitary execution of his task as the child became ill after the operation had been performed.

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