South Africa's Jewish Community Creates Internal Body To Regulate Ritual Circumcision

According to yesterday's Jerusalem Post, South Africa's Jewish community is setting up its own Committee to oversee and regulate the practice of ritual circumcision in the nation.  The Committee will set requirements for circumcisions based on Jewish law and the highest standards of professionalism, health and safety.  The decision by Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein and the Beth Din (rabbinic court) implements the recommendations of a commission of inquiry set up by the Jewish community after a serious malpractice incident by an elderly mohel last June.  In order to practice, a mohel will need to be accredited by the new committee, and have the accreditation renewed every two years. The country's Chief Rabbi has already imposed a lifetime ban on the mohel whose malpractice triggered the new recommendations.