01/22/2023
Queen Elizabeth II Hired Jewish Mohel to Circumcise Prince Charles
Queen Elizabeth II Hired Jewish Mohel to Circumcise Prince Charles
Queen Elizabeth II hired an Orthodox Jewish mohel to circumcise her son Prince Charles. Rabbi Jacob Snowman (1871-1959) was a London mohel of great renown, and it’s said that the Queen was impressed with Rabbi Snowman’s skill and experience.
The tradition of British royals to ask Jewish mohels to circumcise their sons goes back to King George I, who was born in Hanover, Germany, and reigned over England from 1714-1727. Back in Germany, some aristocratic parents hired Jewish mohels, and George I brought the custom with him to England. Years later his great great granddaughter Queen Victoria hired Jewish mohels to circumcise all of her sons. She is said to have believed that her family tree went directly back to the Biblical King David.
Six facts about the monarch’s tumultuous relationship with Jews, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee.
