Bris Question

What is done with the foreskin after a bris?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

After the brit mila ceremony, the foreskin that was removed should be buried. It is usually the mohel that takes care of burying the foreskin, though some fathers choose to do so themselves in order to personally participate in the mitzva of Brit Mila at least in this way. 

There are many explanations for the practice of burying the foreskin. One reason is that the Jewish people did so when they were in the desert. Indeed, we are told that when Bilaam said, “Who can count the dust of Jacob?” he was referring to all the foreskins buried in the desert that had turned into dust. These foreskins served as a merit to protect the Jewish people from his curses. It is also taught that burying the foreskin recalls the great humility of Avraham who said, “I am merely earth and ashes.” Burying the foreskin in earth or sand also recalls that the mitzva of brit mila is comparable to bringing an offering on the altar in the Beit Hamikdash. This is because the altar was filled in with earth and sand.

The foreskin may be buried anywhere. When a brit takes place on Shabbat, a cup of earth should be prepared before Shabbat and the foreskin placed in the cup. It may then be properly buried after Shabbat,. one should also do so at every brit even during the weekdays, in order for the foreskin to be “buried” immediately.