Hilarious video about the bris of a convert on Rosh Hashanah
In this popular episode of the ‘YidLife Crisis’, Chaimie defends his friend’s decision to have samosas at his circumcision celebration
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
By Rukhl Schaechter September 18, 2023
In this hilarious episode of YidLife Crisis, comic duo Jamie Elman and Eli Batalion attend the bris of a friend, Abdul, who’s converting to Judaism on Rosh Hashanah.
During the celebration, Elman (played by Chaimie) defends Abdul’s decision to have samosas at his circumcision celebration.
Meanwhile, Leizer (Batalion) thinks he’s met the Jewish woman of his dreams at the hors d’ouvres table, until he learns of her shocking secret.
As usual, the dialogue and behavior between the two is blunt, irreverent and in Yiddish. But not to worry: English subtitles are included.
This brings up the question: Can a bris actually be performed on one of the holiest days of the year? Especially when considering that certain actions during the procedure — like spilling blood — are forbidden on shabbos and holidays. The answer is complicated. Because the Torah clearly states that a newborn son must be circumcised eight days after his birth, a mohel is required to perform the bris even if it falls out on a holy day.
But this pertains only to a newborn and only for the procedure itself. The mohel still needs to be within walking distance of the celebration. And it also doesn’t pertain to gerim (converts). Since a ger can have the bris at any time, it’s forbidden to perform a bris on him on shabbos or a Jewish holiday.
On the other hand, just like poets are given poetic license to write whatever they wish in the name of good literature, one could argue that comedians have license to do the same in the name of good comedy!
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
