I heard that the Rebbe said that a baby must weigh 6 pounds in order to get a Bris…

Question:

Was this a horah for everyone? Is it from a reliable source?

For non-Chabad babies, may a Bris be performed when the baby weighs less than 6 pounds?

Answer:

There are different opinions among mohalim and rabbonim on this matter.

The rumor you are referring to is actually a printed response from the Rebbe regarding a specific infant who weighed less than 6 pounds. However, the Rebbe did not instruct to delay the Bris. Rather, the Rebbe instructed that such cases should be presented to a Rav, while noting his confidence that the Rav would likely rule stringently in cases of doubt.

Obviously, each case depends on the particular circumstances and should be evaluated by competent medical professionals, a qualified mohel, and a Rav familiar with the laws of Milah.

If the doctors, mohalim, and rabbonim involved are satisfied that the baby is healthy and that performing the Bris is 100% safe, I don’t see basis to object solely because the infant weighs less than 6 pounds.

Sources:

נדפס בהיכל מנחם א ע׳ מז, ובשערי הלכה ומנהג ה ע׳ רמב: יספר כל זה להרב שי’, ובטח יורה שבכיו״ב ספיקו לחומרא, ובלשון הידוע ״אפשר למול אחר זמן״, ויאיוש״ט. וראה שם לרקע המכתב. ושם, שהמדובר במילה שלא בזמנה.

בכללות הענין, ראה זוכר הברית י, לד. שו״ת אג״מ יו״ד ב, קכא. צי״א יג, רסז. תשוה״נ א, תקצא. ברית אברהם הכהן נחל ה בתחילתו. מילה שלמה יב, א, א. ועוד.

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