Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9076

[23 Tevet* 5726]

I reply to your questions:

1) The child[1] for whom the circumcision certificate was issued[2] was a foundling*.[3] It is therefore possible that his mother is not Jewish and, if that is the case, he himself is not either. Consequently, such a certificate may be misleading. For this reason, you shall address yourself, as soon as possible, to a Rav* who has been teaching Halacha* for a very long time, who will indicate what course of action to take in such a case.

2) You shall nonetheless continue to perform circumcisions. However, you shall systematically verify who the mother is, and the merit of bringing the children of Israel into the covenant of our father Avraham* will protect you.

Notes

(1) This response was written directly on a letter addressed to the Rebbe, dated from the conclusion of Shabbat* of Parshat Shemot* 5726.
(2) By the addressee of the present letter.
(3) In the text: Asufei* — a child whose father and mother are unknown.

ט'עו

[כ"ג טבת תשכ"ו]

במענה לשאלותיו:

1) כיון שהילד שנתן אודותו תעודת מילה - אסופי, הרי אפשרי ג"כ שאמו אינה יהודית (ובמילא גם הוא) והתעודה יכולה להטעות וכו' - לכן יתכתב בהקדם עם רב מזקני ההוראה לייעצו מה עליו לעשות בכגון זה.

2) ימשיך באומנות המילה (אלא שיברר בכל פעם מי היא האם) וזכות הכנסת בנ"י לבריתו של א"א תעמוד לו.

ט'עו
נכתבה על גליון המכתב ממוצש"ק פר' שמות תשכ"ו.