Haredi Mohel Performs Bris for Jewish Soldier Amid Heavy Shelling in Ukraine

A Haredi mohel, Rabbi Yoel Galber, recently undertook a perilous journey to perform a bris milah (circumcision) for a Jewish soldier stationed near the front lines in northern Ukraine. The soldier, Grigory P., who is responsible for retrieving fallen soldiers' bodies under constant fire, requested the bris to strengthen his spiritual connection amid the war. Initially, the driver transporting the mohel refused to proceed after hearing on the radio about heavy shelling near Sumy, fearing for his life. After several hours, another driver agreed to navigate the dangerous roads, allowing Rabbi Galber to reach the nearly deserted synagogue in Sumy and perform the ritual.

The soldier, in his mid-forties, described the harrowing nature of his duties, often recovering charred or partial remains under sniper fire, mines, and drones. He expressed that if he were to die, he wanted to do so as a Jew, having physically marked his bond with God through the bris. The small group present at the ceremony was moved to tears by his words. Despite the ordeal, the soldier immediately returned to the front line, declining the mohel's offer to rest.

This event has sparked a growing trend among Jewish soldiers in Ukraine, with six more requesting circumcisions for spiritual protection and connection to their faith. The Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU) praised the mohel and those involved, emphasizing the bris as a protective and redemptive mitzvah. They plan to increase outreach to Jewish soldiers, praying for their safety and eventual return to peaceful lives where they can raise their children in Judaism.

The operation highlights the intersection of faith and frontline realities in Ukraine, where Jewish soldiers seek spiritual resilience amid ongoing conflict.