Rabbi Shawel with big brother Dustin Mazey, Baby Landon Mazey and big brother Morgan Mazey
At Landon Mazey's Bris
Proud parents Robert and Lori
With the Sandek
Such Nachas!!!!
What Nachas!
For a mohel, happy parents and happy siblings is a huge sense of nachas! It doesn't ever get old! There is always a sense of pride and honor to be able to perform such a mitzvah!
Mohel tells a funny short story
Watch this video of Rabbi Shawel, he found a note on the baby before he was going to peform his Bris...
Mohel tells a funny short story - İzle, Dinle, İndir - VideoLife
Mohel tells a funny short story - İzle, Dinle, İndir - VideoLife
It's nice when we are appreciated.....
Thanks again for checking up on us. Both Carter and Ben (and their manhood) are doing fine!
Fondly,Eleise Weisberg
Shawel Performs Second Generation of Britot- by Deb Silverthorn
The Texas Jewish Post ran this article about Rabbi David Shawel in May 20, 2010. Thank you to Deb Silverthorn for her great work!
Dallas' Rabbi David Shawel has often said that the ritual of a brit milah "is a link in our chain from generation to generation." As this past winter found him providing the blessings and the mitzvah for a second generation, he becomes a more connected part of that chain, I'dor v'dor eem Rabbi Shawel (from generation to generation, with Rabbi Shawel).
On Feb. 25, Rabbi Shawel performed the brit of Micah Lev Joffre, the son of Beryl and Deborah; and just three days later, with the simcha of Purim abounding, he did so for baby Caleb Andrew Gabbai, the son of Joshua and Lindsay. Both are sons of "babies," now grown men, whom Rabbi Shawel had entered into the covenant of Jewish tradition more than two decades previously.
"In both cases, this experience had a bit of deja vu, the families returning to 'this' moment, to the blessings of ma'aseem toveem, of good deeds, for their children," said Rabbi Shawel, who has been a mohel for 32 years, traveling to 21 states and Israel to perform the mitzvah. "I'm appreciative of the passing of time, for the blessing to be here and to still be a part of these families' lives. Twenty-five years have passed and yet I really felt as though I had gone back in time."
"David hasn't changed a bit since we were children; he's the same sweet, kind, gentle soul. I would trust him with my life," said Joffre's mother Linda, a first cousin of Rabbi Shawel's who, at her grandson's brit, reflected on the occasion of her own son's brit, "in my in-laws' living room, just a minute ago." She said, "That we had four generations here, including my father-in-law, Jack, was amazing. As soon as we found out the baby was a boy, Beryl said there was no one else for the occasion."
"A brit in our family wouldn't be complete without David; he was there for me, for my brothers and for almost everyone in the family in the last 30 years," said Beryl Joffre, who lives in Memphis, Tenn. "This was Micah's 'welcoming party,' where he was not only introduced as our son but as a member of the Jewish community. This is the moment that sets him up for life as a Jew. When Rabbi Shawel spoke of how, on the day of a brit, all who are in attendance are freed of sin as though we are all pure, that was something special to me."
"The love Rabbi Shawel has for what he does is extraordinary. You can tell that what he does is meaninful to him," said Dallas resident Joshua Gabbai. "He loves children and he loves to bring them, and his love for Judaism, together. A brit is certainly the first opportunity in a child's life for that to happen and there just isn't anyone but him. He's the guy!"
"I didn't grow up knowing Rab¬bi Shawel but the tradition of his being part of our child's brit, his being the mohel, was important to my husband. He had performed the britot for my sister's son and for those of many of our friends — we knew we could trust him," Lindsay Gabbai said. "In just the first few minutes of meeting with him, we could feel how much he loves what he does. He followed up, checking on both Caleb and us, and I'm so glad he's a part of our lives."
In addition to serving as a mo-hel conducting thousands of britot, Rabbi Shawel, who moved to Dallas with his wife, Goldie, 26 years ago, taught at Akiba Academy and has, for 22 years, worked with Dallas Kosher.
A Newport News, Va. native, Shawel calls his upbringing one where "we were passionately Jewish and my goal has always been to emulate my teachers and rabbonim. They were, and they re-main, my heroes." Until the eighth grade, he attended the Henrietta Kurzer Hebrew Academy, after which he moved to Baltimore to go to the Talmudic Academy and then that city's Ner Israel Rabbini-cal College.
The father of Akiva, Sara, Moshe, Chana and Baruch, who has performed the brit of each of his own sons as well as his grandson (Sara's son) Eliezer Shmuel, Rabbi Shawel stood by proudly as Akiva performed the britot of his own children, Yitzchok Arye and Daniel Simcha Dov. "It's a wonderful ex¬perience, a father's obligation."
As Rabbi Shawel signs each brit certificate, he includes the child's bar mitzvah date at the bottom. "It is the cycle of life, that we wish our sons at the brit that they should grow to have lives of Torah, chup¬pah and ma'aseem toveem," said Rabbi Shawel, who looks forward to the 2023 b'nai mitzvah of Mi¬cah and Caleb. "I feel so fortunate to do the work that I do. If you love what you do, it's never 'work.' From the time I meet 'my babies' I hope they'll be raised with a love for Yid¬dishkeit. To be a rabbi, and to be a part of — truly integrally involved in — the lives of so many families, is such a brachah in my life."
Dallas' Rabbi David Shawel has often said that the ritual of a brit milah "is a link in our chain from generation to generation." As this past winter found him providing the blessings and the mitzvah for a second generation, he becomes a more connected part of that chain, I'dor v'dor eem Rabbi Shawel (from generation to generation, with Rabbi Shawel).
On Feb. 25, Rabbi Shawel performed the brit of Micah Lev Joffre, the son of Beryl and Deborah; and just three days later, with the simcha of Purim abounding, he did so for baby Caleb Andrew Gabbai, the son of Joshua and Lindsay. Both are sons of "babies," now grown men, whom Rabbi Shawel had entered into the covenant of Jewish tradition more than two decades previously.
"In both cases, this experience had a bit of deja vu, the families returning to 'this' moment, to the blessings of ma'aseem toveem, of good deeds, for their children," said Rabbi Shawel, who has been a mohel for 32 years, traveling to 21 states and Israel to perform the mitzvah. "I'm appreciative of the passing of time, for the blessing to be here and to still be a part of these families' lives. Twenty-five years have passed and yet I really felt as though I had gone back in time."
"David hasn't changed a bit since we were children; he's the same sweet, kind, gentle soul. I would trust him with my life," said Joffre's mother Linda, a first cousin of Rabbi Shawel's who, at her grandson's brit, reflected on the occasion of her own son's brit, "in my in-laws' living room, just a minute ago." She said, "That we had four generations here, including my father-in-law, Jack, was amazing. As soon as we found out the baby was a boy, Beryl said there was no one else for the occasion."
"The love Rabbi Shawel has for what he does is extraordinary. You can tell that what he does is meaninful to him," said Dallas resident Joshua Gabbai. "He loves children and he loves to bring them, and his love for Judaism, together. A brit is certainly the first opportunity in a child's life for that to happen and there just isn't anyone but him. He's the guy!"
"I didn't grow up knowing Rab¬bi Shawel but the tradition of his being part of our child's brit, his being the mohel, was important to my husband. He had performed the britot for my sister's son and for those of many of our friends — we knew we could trust him," Lindsay Gabbai said. "In just the first few minutes of meeting with him, we could feel how much he loves what he does. He followed up, checking on both Caleb and us, and I'm so glad he's a part of our lives."
In addition to serving as a mo-hel conducting thousands of britot, Rabbi Shawel, who moved to Dallas with his wife, Goldie, 26 years ago, taught at Akiba Academy and has, for 22 years, worked with Dallas Kosher.
A Newport News, Va. native, Shawel calls his upbringing one where "we were passionately Jewish and my goal has always been to emulate my teachers and rabbonim. They were, and they re-main, my heroes." Until the eighth grade, he attended the Henrietta Kurzer Hebrew Academy, after which he moved to Baltimore to go to the Talmudic Academy and then that city's Ner Israel Rabbini-cal College.
The father of Akiva, Sara, Moshe, Chana and Baruch, who has performed the brit of each of his own sons as well as his grandson (Sara's son) Eliezer Shmuel, Rabbi Shawel stood by proudly as Akiva performed the britot of his own children, Yitzchok Arye and Daniel Simcha Dov. "It's a wonderful ex¬perience, a father's obligation."
As Rabbi Shawel signs each brit certificate, he includes the child's bar mitzvah date at the bottom. "It is the cycle of life, that we wish our sons at the brit that they should grow to have lives of Torah, chup¬pah and ma'aseem toveem," said Rabbi Shawel, who looks forward to the 2023 b'nai mitzvah of Mi¬cah and Caleb. "I feel so fortunate to do the work that I do. If you love what you do, it's never 'work.' From the time I meet 'my babies' I hope they'll be raised with a love for Yid¬dishkeit. To be a rabbi, and to be a part of — truly integrally involved in — the lives of so many families, is such a brachah in my life."
Sealing the Covenant by Deb Silvesrthorn TJP 2008
As a Mohel Rabbi David Shawel connects generations
By Deb Silverthorn
Texas Jewish Post March 6, 2008
The blessing that Rabbi David Shawel brings to this community, he considers an honor to him. More than 25 years and thousands of little boys later, Rabbi Shawel is still performing the mitzvah of Brit Milah, ritual circumcision.
"It's so clear to me that it was my destiny to have the privilage of becoming a mohel. This tradition is a link in our chain from generation to generation," said Rabbi Shawel, who has traveled to 19 states and to Israel to perform the mitzvah.
What is Bris Milah?
Bris Milah:
"G-d said to Abraham, 'And as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant which you shall keep between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. At the age of eight days every male among you shall be circumcised, throughout your generations, he that is born in the household or purchased with money from any stranger who is not of your offspring. He that is born in your household or purchased with your money shall surely be circumcised. Thus, My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
An uncircumcised male who will not circumcise the flesh of his foreskin that soul shall be cut off from its people; he has invalidated My covenant."Bereishis (Genesis) 17:9-14. The covenant of circumcision, was commanded by G-d to Abraham over 3,700 years ago. It has been carried out faithfully, from generation to generation, even during times of religious and ethnic persecution when Jews were forced to practice their rituals in secret. In fact, the only time the Jewish people willingly desisted from this practice was during the 40 years of wandering in the Sinai wilderness. Before entering Canaan, every male was circumcised by Joshua.
The acceptance of this commandment established an eternal bond between G-d and the Children of Israel. Its observance today is testimony to the continuity and strength of that relationship which requires us to perform the mitzvah with adherence to the laws and customs prescribed in the Torah and interpreted by our sages. G-d appeared to Abraham when he was 99 years old and commanded him to circumcise himself, his son, Yishmael, all the males of his household and all his slaves. It is said that Abraham accomplished this on the tenth day of the month of Tishrei, later designated as Yom Kippur, when the sins of the Jewish people were forgiven. The following year, when Isaac was born, he was circumcised on the eighth day. In return for his faithfulness, G-d promised Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation and inherit the land of Canaan for eternity. Today, Bris Milah has acquired a national identity, making its performance today as mandatory for the modern secularists of Israel as for the traditionally observant.
"G-d said to Abraham, 'And as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant which you shall keep between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. At the age of eight days every male among you shall be circumcised, throughout your generations, he that is born in the household or purchased with money from any stranger who is not of your offspring. He that is born in your household or purchased with your money shall surely be circumcised. Thus, My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
An uncircumcised male who will not circumcise the flesh of his foreskin that soul shall be cut off from its people; he has invalidated My covenant."Bereishis (Genesis) 17:9-14. The covenant of circumcision, was commanded by G-d to Abraham over 3,700 years ago. It has been carried out faithfully, from generation to generation, even during times of religious and ethnic persecution when Jews were forced to practice their rituals in secret. In fact, the only time the Jewish people willingly desisted from this practice was during the 40 years of wandering in the Sinai wilderness. Before entering Canaan, every male was circumcised by Joshua.
The acceptance of this commandment established an eternal bond between G-d and the Children of Israel. Its observance today is testimony to the continuity and strength of that relationship which requires us to perform the mitzvah with adherence to the laws and customs prescribed in the Torah and interpreted by our sages. G-d appeared to Abraham when he was 99 years old and commanded him to circumcise himself, his son, Yishmael, all the males of his household and all his slaves. It is said that Abraham accomplished this on the tenth day of the month of Tishrei, later designated as Yom Kippur, when the sins of the Jewish people were forgiven. The following year, when Isaac was born, he was circumcised on the eighth day. In return for his faithfulness, G-d promised Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation and inherit the land of Canaan for eternity. Today, Bris Milah has acquired a national identity, making its performance today as mandatory for the modern secularists of Israel as for the traditionally observant.
When to schedule a Bris
It is a mitzvah in itself to make the ceremony as beautiful and meaningful as possible. This is accomplished, in part, by careful attention to the details of carrying out the commandment, such as determining the day and choosing the time.
Because the Torah tells us that Abraham circumcised Isaac on the eighth day, we understand this literally to mean day. The Bris can be scheduled any time between sunrise and sunset. Since it is preferable to perform G-d's commandments eagerly and with alacrity, it is customary to schedule the Bris as early in the day as possible. The ceremony cannot be performed at night and is considered invalid if done so. If a baby is born during twilight prior to nightfall, specific laws apply, especially preceding Shabbos or a festival. I will determine the day, with rabbinic input, if necessary.
Various explanations are offered for the Torah's specification of the eighth day. There is a Midrash that teaches that G-d had pity on the child and waited until he had the physical strength to undergo the rite. (Devarim Rabbah 6:1) Also suggested is the fact that one Shabbos must pass between birth and the eighth day, providing the child with spiritual strength from his first Shabbos experience. Finally, classical medical studies have found coagulating factors to be at their peak around this time of life.
The day of birth counts as the first day. In Jewish tradition, the day begins with the preceding nightfall. Therefore, the child must be born before sundown for that day to be counted as the first. For example, if a baby is born on Monday during daylight hours, the Bris takes place on the following Monday. However, if the baby is born on Monday night, the Bris would take place the following Tuesday. A Bris performed before the eighth day is considered invalid.
An act which causes bleeding is forbidden on Shabbos. However, because the Torah declares the Bris Milah to be performed on the eighth day the Talmud interprets that the act in its proper time takes precedence provided the laws of Shabbos are upheld. There are rabbinic opinions which state that in instances where this cannot be guaranteed, it is preferable to postpone the ceremony to the following day. If you live within walking distance to me I will bring my instruments to your home on Friday. A Bris for the purpose of conversion or a Bris on a baby born by cesarean section may not take place on Shabbos or a major festival.
A Bris may not be performed on an ill child and must be postponed until he has fully recovered. The general rule is to schedule a Bris immediately upon recovery from a local disorder (one which affects a specific part of the body) but to wait seven 24-hour periods after recovery from a systemic disorder (one which affects the entire body). I will make the proper determination in consultation with your baby's pediatrician or neo-natologist.
Because the Torah tells us that Abraham circumcised Isaac on the eighth day, we understand this literally to mean day. The Bris can be scheduled any time between sunrise and sunset. Since it is preferable to perform G-d's commandments eagerly and with alacrity, it is customary to schedule the Bris as early in the day as possible. The ceremony cannot be performed at night and is considered invalid if done so. If a baby is born during twilight prior to nightfall, specific laws apply, especially preceding Shabbos or a festival. I will determine the day, with rabbinic input, if necessary.
Various explanations are offered for the Torah's specification of the eighth day. There is a Midrash that teaches that G-d had pity on the child and waited until he had the physical strength to undergo the rite. (Devarim Rabbah 6:1) Also suggested is the fact that one Shabbos must pass between birth and the eighth day, providing the child with spiritual strength from his first Shabbos experience. Finally, classical medical studies have found coagulating factors to be at their peak around this time of life.
The day of birth counts as the first day. In Jewish tradition, the day begins with the preceding nightfall. Therefore, the child must be born before sundown for that day to be counted as the first. For example, if a baby is born on Monday during daylight hours, the Bris takes place on the following Monday. However, if the baby is born on Monday night, the Bris would take place the following Tuesday. A Bris performed before the eighth day is considered invalid.
An act which causes bleeding is forbidden on Shabbos. However, because the Torah declares the Bris Milah to be performed on the eighth day the Talmud interprets that the act in its proper time takes precedence provided the laws of Shabbos are upheld. There are rabbinic opinions which state that in instances where this cannot be guaranteed, it is preferable to postpone the ceremony to the following day. If you live within walking distance to me I will bring my instruments to your home on Friday. A Bris for the purpose of conversion or a Bris on a baby born by cesarean section may not take place on Shabbos or a major festival.
A Bris may not be performed on an ill child and must be postponed until he has fully recovered. The general rule is to schedule a Bris immediately upon recovery from a local disorder (one which affects a specific part of the body) but to wait seven 24-hour periods after recovery from a systemic disorder (one which affects the entire body). I will make the proper determination in consultation with your baby's pediatrician or neo-natologist.
Information about what you'll need for the Bris
Items needed before the Bris ceremony:
2-3 disposable diapers
Box of baby wipes
Kiddush cup with saucer or plate
25-30 3x3 sterile gauze pads
2 tubes of a triple antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or Bacitracin
Red sweet kosher wine with OU kosher certification preferably Carmel from Israel
Card table,
two nice chairs on each side of the table and ample lighting
Before the Bris:
Feed the baby around an hour before the Bris.If your pediatrician suggests, give baby Infant Tylenol after last feeding.Dress baby in an outfit that can be opened from the bottom, preferably an outfit with few snaps or buttons.Wrap baby in receiving blanket.
2-3 disposable diapers
Box of baby wipes
Kiddush cup with saucer or plate
25-30 3x3 sterile gauze pads
2 tubes of a triple antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or Bacitracin
Red sweet kosher wine with OU kosher certification preferably Carmel from Israel
Card table,
two nice chairs on each side of the table and ample lighting
Before the Bris:
Feed the baby around an hour before the Bris.If your pediatrician suggests, give baby Infant Tylenol after last feeding.Dress baby in an outfit that can be opened from the bottom, preferably an outfit with few snaps or buttons.Wrap baby in receiving blanket.
Honors you may bestow to your family or friends at the Bris
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Kvaterin (couple / person who enters with baby)______________________________(If possible, I personally like to honor the (great) grandmothers first. You may have more than one couple / person. The last person places the baby on the Chair of Eliyahu.)
Kisei Shel Eliyahu (male(s) who places baby on Chair of Elijah)_________________________________________________________________(You may honor someone to take the baby from the Chair of Eliyahu. Then the father hands the baby to the Sandek.)
Sandek (This is the male who holds baby during bris.)__________________________________________________________________(If possible, I think it is appropriate to honor a (great) grandfather for this honor.)
Sandek Meumad (male who holds baby during the naming ceremony)_____________________________________________________________(Once again, if possible, the other grandfather holds the baby.)Babys Hebrew / English name will be ______________________________________Parents Hebrew /English names___________________________________________
Prayers you may incorporate into the ceremony
Honoree #1:May the newborn child be an auspicious sign, may he grow and develop like a flourishing garden, may he soar, succeed and be spared misfortune. Blessed are you, the community of my faithful, and blessed is he who comes in the name of Hashem.
Honoree #2:May the lot granted us be pleasant, and in his days may we ascend to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple, to the house of Hashem old and young. Blessed are you, the community of my faithful, and blessed is he who comes in the name of Hashem.
Honoree #3:Remember Your mercy and the covenantal blood, bear in mind Your sheep, the sheep of the remnant. Through the messiah may our enemies abate to nothingness. Please Hashem, send Eliyahu Hanavi. Blessed are you, the community of my faithful, and blessed is he who comes in the name of Hashem.
Honoree #4:This child has merited his bris milah, may his loving parents merit to bring him to the chupah, may the redeeming angel bless him, may he be worthy to behold the pleasantness of Hashem. Blessed are you, the community of my faithful, and blessed is he who comes in the name of Hashem
English prayer many parents read after the ceremony:
Master of the Universe, we thank You for the precious gift of new life, and for the blessing of parenthood, which allows us to share in the miracle of creation. Eternal Creator, we ask Your continued blessing. Grant our child length of days and vigor of body and mind. Endow us an understanding of love, that we may rear our son to manhood imbued with love of Torah and the performance of good deeds. May we be privileged to bring him to the chupah. Amen.
Honoree #2:May the lot granted us be pleasant, and in his days may we ascend to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple, to the house of Hashem old and young. Blessed are you, the community of my faithful, and blessed is he who comes in the name of Hashem.
Honoree #3:Remember Your mercy and the covenantal blood, bear in mind Your sheep, the sheep of the remnant. Through the messiah may our enemies abate to nothingness. Please Hashem, send Eliyahu Hanavi. Blessed are you, the community of my faithful, and blessed is he who comes in the name of Hashem.
Honoree #4:This child has merited his bris milah, may his loving parents merit to bring him to the chupah, may the redeeming angel bless him, may he be worthy to behold the pleasantness of Hashem. Blessed are you, the community of my faithful, and blessed is he who comes in the name of Hashem
English prayer many parents read after the ceremony:
Master of the Universe, we thank You for the precious gift of new life, and for the blessing of parenthood, which allows us to share in the miracle of creation. Eternal Creator, we ask Your continued blessing. Grant our child length of days and vigor of body and mind. Endow us an understanding of love, that we may rear our son to manhood imbued with love of Torah and the performance of good deeds. May we be privileged to bring him to the chupah. Amen.
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