By the Grace of G-d 5726 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I am in receipt of your letter, following up your previous letter relating to the medical advice that you undergo the operation.

I believe I expressed to you my opinion in a previous letter, an opinion which, in light of your present letter, has been reinforced, namely that although this kind of operation is now regarded as a routine, I do not see any urgency about it in your case, all the more so since you write that you are feeling well. Moreover, in many cases such treatments as massage and warm baths are helpful.

On the other hand, there is a point on which you must take a firm stand. This is in regard to the sterility which will result from the surgery, as you write. The sterilization, vasectomy, is carried out by the cutting of certain vessels and ducts, and this is done not because it is essential to the operation itself, but in order to prevent any possible infection which might be carried to the body via these vessels and ducts. The doctors take this precaution even though it is very farfetched and unlikely that there should be any such infection, especially considering present-day techniques. Consequently, there are surgeons who do not necessarily bring about this sterilization, especially where the patient is still a man in his prime and is able and desirous of having children; even more so in the case of an Orthodox person. The most the surgeon may request is that the patient himself should take the responsibility.

However - and this is the point - even where the doctors insist on sterilization, there are two methods of carrying this out. One is by cutting the said vessels and ducts before the prostate operation, and the other is to reverse the order. The latter method involves a violation of the Din (Jewish Law), and there you should make sure that the first method is used, which is according to the Jewish Law.

I was pleased to finally receive a report about the members of your family. I will remember you all in prayer, when visiting the holy resting place of my father-in-law of saintly memory. May G-d grant that you should have good news to report about each and every one of your family, especially as we are now in the auspicious month of Kislev, the month of miracles and deliverances.

With blessing,