Jewish Law on Circumcision: Only a Male Mohel May Perform the Ritual

Halakha (Jewish law) requires that brit milah (ritual circumcision) be performed by a mohel—a Jewish male who has completed specialized training in surgical technique and ritual law and received rabbinic authorization. Women, regardless of medical credentials, are not permitted to serve as mohelim in Orthodox and Conservative movements. Some liberal communities have debated this, but the traditional standard remains male‑only.