We may not assist an animal in delivering its young on Yom Tov, but we may sup-port [it]. We may assist a woman in childbirth on the Sabbath; we may call a midwife from place to place for her; we may desecrate the Sabbath on her behalf; and we may tie the umbilical cord. R’ Yose says: we may even cut [it]. And all requirements of circumcision may be performed on the Sabbath.

R’ Eliezer says: If one did not bring an instrument [for circumcision] before the Sabbath, he should bring it on the Sabbath exposed; and in [times of] danger, he should cover it in the presence of witnesses. Furthermore, said R’ Eliezer: We may fell trees in order to make charcoal and to form an iron instrument. [But] R’ Akiva stated a rule: Any work that can be done before the Sabbath does not override the Sabbath; but [any work] that cannot be done before the Sab-bath does override the Sabbath.

We may perform all the necessities of circumcision on the Sabbath: we may circumcise, uncover [the corona], draw [the blood], and place a bandage and cumin upon it. If he did not crush [the cumin] before the Sabbath, he may chew [it] with his teeth and apply [it]. If he did not vigorously mix wine and oil before the Sabbath, each one should be added [to the bowl] by itself. We may not fashion a shirtlike bandage for it, but one may wrap a piece of cloth around it. If he did not prepare [it] before the Sabbath, he may wrap [it] around his finger and bring [it], even from another courtyard.

We may bathe the infant both prior to the circumcision and following the circumcision; and we may sprinkle [water] upon him by hand, but not with a utensil. R’ Elazar ben Azariah says: We may bathe the infant on the third day [following the circumcision] when it occurs on the Sabbath, as it is said: And it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain (Genesis 34:25). A questionable one or an androgyne, we may not violate the Sabbath on his behalf. R’ Yehudah, however, permits [it] in [the case of] an androgyne.