Metzitzah B’Peh (מציצה בפה) is both Logically Forbidden and Specifically Forbidden

Is it permissible to put the blood or flesh of a pig in one’s mouth?

Is it, for that matter, permissible to but any blood from another person or animal in one’s mouth, in that Judaism blanketly prohibits blood?

The opinion of the Taz1 and many other poskim2 is that one is not allowed to taste a non-kosher food of any sort (this refers to one who just tastes it with one’s tongue).3 Some say if it is an issur d’rabanan then one can taste it without swallowing.4 The reason why tasting the non-kosher is not allowed, is because we are concerned that one may come to eat it.5

How then can the European custom amongst rare communities of metzitzah b’peh(מציצה בפה, “oral suction” of the circumcised penis) be kosher? Even while the custom is clearly bizarre and disgusting, halakhically even putting blood in ones mouth deliberately is forbidden. The Talmud makes mention (Shabbat 133b) of metzitzah or “suction”, and yet no one ever believed this to be “of the mouth” (b’peh). Maimonides does not describe it in such a way in his Mishneh Torah, nor does the Talmud before him. Instead, this was accomplished with medical tubes of different varieties and sponges which performed the “suction” (מציצה). The fact that this was never mentioned to be “b’peh” makes it clear enough that it was never performed in such a way. Similarly, it was not adopted into minhagim throughout the world, where it was unheard of, and only emerges late in European history.

It is a Jewish obligation to speak out against those who practice such a non-Jewish custom of sucking a baby’s penis. This is not part of Judaism and may not hide these sins on the part of the tiny minority that commits such a crime. This is not part of the Judaism of the Torah, the Talmud, nor even of the Rambam. This is a filthy, goyish custom that must be confronted, attacked and obliterated. We cannot immitate the Catholics and cover up acts of child molestation in an effort to protect the name of Judaism from denigration. If darkness is to flee, it will only do so by casting light upon it.

Notes:

1. Y.D. 98:2.

2. Rama Y.D. 108:5, Shach 24 (this applies to other issurei achilah even if it is not an issur hanah), Pri Megadim M.Z.

Y.D. 95:15, see Aruch Ha’shulchan 24-25. Refer to Tzohar 8:pages 527-527 in depth if tasting is like eating.

3. Taz ibid.

4. Refer to Tzemach Tzedek 47, Nodeh B’Yeduda Y.D. 2:52. Some say this only means something which is pogem,

and not every issur d’rabbanan (Nodeh B’Yehuda Y.D. 2:52, see Pischei Teshuva Y.D. 98:1).

5. Rivash 288 (end). Refer to Nodeh B’Yehuda Y.D. 2:52, Otzer Divrei Haposkim Y.D. 98:page 24.