What does mohel mean?
A mohel is a person trained and authorized under Jewish law to perform a ritual circumcision, most commonly for a male infant or young boy. The role combines knowledge of Jewish religious law and tradition with the practical skills required for the procedure. Although the word can be translated more generally as “circumciser,” its established use in English is specifically religious and Jewish. A mohel may also assist with the religious naming ceremony associated with the circumcision and often participates in a family celebration. Outside Jewish communities, the word is relatively uncommon, but it is well known in discussions of religion, family life, and medical practice. The term identifies both a religious role and the person filling it, much like words such as “priest” or “rabbi,” while the specific responsibilities attached to it are defined by Jewish tradition.
nounA mohel is a Jewish religious practitioner specially trained and authorized to perform a ritual circumcision according to Jewish religious law, usually on a male infant or young boy.
- A person authorized under Jewish law to perform a ritual circumcision.
"The family invited friends and relatives to witness the ceremony performed by the mohel."
"The mohel explained the religious significance of the ceremony to the family."
"After the birth of their son, the parents made arrangements with a qualified mohel."
The regular plural is “mohels,” used when referring to more than one practitioner.
"The community's mohels coordinate ceremonies for families across the city."
A mohel performs one of Judaism's most distinctive rites, combining surgical skill with religious responsibility and family celebration.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of mohel
The English word comes from Yiddish mohel, a term used for a practitioner of Jewish ritual circumcision. Yiddish borrowed it from Hebrew mohe(l), a form associated with the Hebrew verb meaning “to circumcise.” The religious terminology ultimately reflects the ancient Hebrew root associated with circumcision, a central rite in Jewish practice.
How mohel is actually used
The term is chiefly used within Jewish communities and in discussions of Jewish religious practice. It refers specifically to a practitioner performing a circumcision according to Jewish law, rather than to a medical professional performing an unrelated surgical procedure.