"I Always Feared Circumcision; I'm Doing It Now for the Success of the Jewish People"

For nearly twenty-five years, Mordechai Zvi Solomon, a mohel with the 'Bris Yosef Yitzchok' organization, has traveled worldwide to perform circumcisions for Jews wishing to join the covenant of the Jewish people.

Solomon has encountered incredibly touching scenes during his travels—young children deciding to undergo circumcision, soldiers discovering their Jewish roots and choosing to join the covenant, and even elderly individuals who realized before passing away that they did not want to forego the mitzvah of circumcision. However, the phenomenon he is witnessing now, following the Simchat Torah massacre, is unmatched in his experience.

"Something amazing is happening," he shares excitedly. "Since the massacre and the outbreak of war in the land, I keep receiving calls from around the world from people wanting to fulfill the mitzvah. It's so astounding and moving because even those wishing to undergo circumcision usually face a barrier that causes hesitation. It's difficult for them to decide, and I understand them. But now, requests arrive one after another, and people not only don't hesitate but urge me to come as soon as possible."

A Global Journey

As mentioned, Solomon is a veteran mohel with many years of experience. He began in the field while studying at a yeshiva in Russia at seventeen, where he met Rabbi Chaim Rubin, a veteran mohel from the 'Bris Yosef Yitzchok' organization, who taught him the trade. During those days, he connected with the organization, which specializes in adult circumcisions, and often had the opportunity to perform circumcisions through them.

"Today, I live in America but travel anywhere worldwide where my services are needed," he explains. "Sometimes it's adult circumcisions that require great skill not everyone possesses. I also reach places to perform circumcisions for young people, often where no other mohel lives nearby. Often, these are families familiar with my work from previous circumcisions, who specifically request me to come. It happens regularly that after a circumcision, other people express interest, and sometimes they contact me months or even years later asking, 'Do you remember we met? Can you come to perform my circumcision too?'"

He says he strives not only to perform circumcisions but also to stir interest in the mitzvah. Whenever he meets Jews who haven't yet had a bris, he tries to talk to their hearts and explain the great importance. "Sometimes they are convinced the same day and undergo circumcision; sometimes it takes months, and there are cases where I've waited for years until the moment finally came. But I never forget any of them, all are recorded on my list, and I pray for them often, longing for the day when they will perform this essential mitzvah."

An Inconceivable Awakening

These days, right after the war broke out, Solomon reached out to everyone on his list, emotionally asking them to reconsider the mitzvah to add merits to the Jewish people, aid the soldiers in war, and swiftly return the captives home. "I was utterly surprised by the overwhelming positive responses I received," he notes. "Since setting out on this mission, the day after Simchat Torah, I've received several requests from cities in Germany, one particularly touching. It was a Jew I first met ten years ago at his nephew's brit, and when I learned he was uncircumcised, I explained the importance and encouraged him. He was very interested but withdrew at the last moment out of fear. Later, I visited Berlin a few times, visiting him each time, but he always postponed. Yet, learning about my upcoming visit to Berlin last month, he quickly decided to undergo the bris, acting bravely without hesitation, stating it was 'for the success of the Jewish people.' Personally, witnessing a Jew who had postponed his bris for ten years due to great fear finally overcome his fear to strengthen the Jewish people moved me profoundly."

After his Berlin visit, Rabbi Solomon continued to other places in Europe, then to Russia, making several stops, including Siberia. "I met a young man in Siberia long ago who refused a bris, but now, to help our brothers and sisters in the holy land and the captives, he agreed," Solomon shares. "Even his friend, who was with him, joined in the emotional scene and expressed willingness to undergo circumcision, and we performed it that day."

From Siberia, he proceeded to Kaliningrad, with three circumcisions planned, continuing to Poland for another bris, then traveled by train to Warsaw, to perform for a Jew he met a week earlier in Germany who requested a bris near his home. Recently, he returned to his U.S. home, not before performing more circumcisions in Alaska, Los Angeles, and other American locations.

How do you explain this enormous awakening?

"There is no other explanation than the war causing unprecedented strengthening, even in those who previously hesitated about circumcision. Now, they receive unique encouragement and rush to fulfill the mitzvah. May Hashem witness the great awakening of His children, many appearing outwardly distant, yet their Jewish hearts are warm and close," he concludes emotionally.