Parshas Pinchas: Bris on Shabbas

What happens when a bris milah falls out on a fast day? As the HalachaTeam encourages those reading to ask questions, we will for sure answer this (and hopefully any other question thrown our way). In order to fully understand this questions the term fasts must be broken into 3 categories: 1. Yom Kippur and Tisha B'av. 2. The four minor fasts. 3. Any fast not on its set day (for example: Purim on Sunday, so Taanis Ester should be Shabbas, but can't fast on Shabbas so fast on Thursday). Further I am assuming the questioner is concerned about both the drinking of the wine at the bris (which is normally drunken by the Mohel) and the festive Seudah that follows. In regards to category 1 the Shulchan Aruch writes that the Seuda should be held at the conclusion of the fast. In other words have everyone reconvene and have a nice break-fast. In terms of the drinking of the wine, it is assumed you give it to child (under the age of chinuch) or even the baby himself to drink. Category 2 is the same as category 1 except for the fact that during the 4 minor fasts a nursing women is exempt for fasting. Thus, the Shulchan Aruch provides the option of giving the babies mother the wine to drink. The Rama rules against this custom, but for the Sefardim out there I figured I would mention it. Finally in regards to category 3. the Rema ruled that since this is not the official time of the fast, the baal bris and all of his guests may break the fast for the sake of the seudas milah. However, they are nonetheless obligated to make up for the fast on Friday. Some opinions, however, take a more stringent view and argue that when Chazal established Thursday as the altered date of the fast, Thursday is now its correct time and the taanis may not be pushed off for the sake of a milah. The seudah should then be celebrated after breaking the fast, as is usually done when a bris takes place on a fast day. At this point some of you might be tempted to ask, " What was the Rema thinking? Isn't it preferable to stay clear of dispute, and just put the seudah off until after the fast has concluded?" It is worthwhile to consider that bris milah transforms the day into a Yom Tov for the person who makes the bris. Yom Tov is a time for celebration and rejoicing, and in this light, delaying the seudah is not a simple matter. While many don't sing and dance at a Bris due to the pain felt by the child, we must all realize that the Bris is in a sense greater simcha then even a Bar Mitzva or Wedding. A young child is entering G-d's chosen nation. What greater Simcha is there? No such thing as Coincidence- but it happens to be that this weeks Parshas is Pinchas. What is the connection between Pinchas and Bris Milah? We mention his name at a Bris once and that is more than the name Moshe. Take a look.