Circumcision And The Jewish Faith: Religious Rite Explained

Circumcision is a widely practised procedure that carries religious significance in several faiths. In Judaism, circumcision is known as Brit Milah or Bris and is considered one of the most important commandments. The practice is rooted in the Book of Genesis, where God commands Abraham and his male descendants to undergo circumcision as a symbol of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. This ritual is typically performed on the eighth day after birth by a religious figure called a mohel. While circumcision has been a subject of controversy and debate, it holds great importance in the Jewish faith, marking a child's entry into the religious community and serving as a symbol of their spiritual journey.

The covenant between God and Abraham

The act of circumcision is believed to have been practised in the ancient Near East, though not in Mesopotamia, from where Abraham and his clan migrated. It is thought that the Torah's authors borrowed this custom from surrounding cultures and imbued it with new meaning. In the Torah, the rite is relocated from puberty (as it was in other cultures) to the earliest stage of infancy. This severs any association with fertility and instead signifies a pledge of fealty to God.

The act of circumcision is also seen as a test of faith and a sign of trust and partnership with God. It is believed to symbolise a promise to remove obstacles from the child's path to righteousness.

The removal of the foreskin

The act of removing the foreskin is seen as a way to remove obstacles from the child's path to righteousness. It is also symbolic of the vulnerability of human life and the strength that can be found through bonding with one's heritage, people, and God. In Judaism, circumcision is considered a critical step in setting human history on a new course, marking the entry of an individual into the sacred covenant with God.

The timing of the circumcision

The Jewish circumcision ceremony, known as the Brit Milah or Bris, is typically held on the eighth day of the child's life. This timing is based on the biblical story of Abraham, who was commanded by God to circumcise himself and all the male members of his household. Abraham's son, Isaac, was the first to be circumcised on the eighth day of his life.

The Brit Milah can be delayed for health reasons, and Jewish law states that when a child's health is a concern, the circumcision must wait until seven days after the child is deemed fit for the procedure. It is forbidden to postpone the ceremony for any other reason. The ritual is usually performed in the morning, but it can take place at any time during daylight hours.

The circumcision is typically held even on the Shabbat or Jewish holidays, as the obligation to circumcise on the eighth day supersedes certain Shabbat laws. However, if the child was born via C-section or if the circumcision is delayed for health reasons, it is not performed on the Shabbat or Jewish holidays.

The entire process, from the pre-circumcision consultation to the procedure itself, is handled by a Mohel, a pious and observant Jew who is trained in circumcision techniques and Jewish law and tradition.

The role of the mohel

The mohel is a Jewish man trained in the practice of brit milah, the "covenant of male circumcision". Women who are trained in the practice are referred to as a mohelet. The role of the mohel is to perform the circumcision, which is considered a religious rite.

The first mohel was a 99-year-old ex-shepherd with no medical training. Abraham circumcised himself and his sons, and this practice has been carried out by Jews through the upheaval of conquering Canaan, building the Temple, exile in Babylon, and the rebuilding of the Temple. Over time, the role of the circumciser became the province of specially trained men, the mohelim, who were learned in the ritual elements surrounding the procedure.

Today, the mohel is considerably better trained than his historical antecedents. The mohel will examine the baby to certify that he is healthy enough to undergo the procedure. The procedure itself is very brief. The mohel uses a magen or shield to protect the glans and guide the knife. There are three phases to the procedure: me’ilah, the actual removal of the foreskin; p’riah, the tearing of the genital membrane underneath the foreskin back to the corona; and m’tzitzah–suction–the removal of blood and cleaning of the affected area.

In Jewish law, it is the responsibility of the father to circumcise his own sons, with the mohel acting as his agent. The mohel will lead the ceremony, which is brief, and it is preferable to have a minyan (a quorum of ten) present, but not essential; a brit can be performed by the mohel with no one but the father present.

The health benefits

The Jewish faith does practice circumcision, and it is considered one of the most important commandments in Judaism. The removal of the foreskin is done on the eighth day after birth and is believed to symbolise the covenant between God and the Jewish people.

Male circumcision has been shown to have several health benefits, including:

• Reduced risk of urinary tract infections – Circumcision is associated with a lower risk of urinary tract infections, with one study finding that the risk was more than ten times lower for circumcised males compared to uncircumcised males.
• Protection against sexually transmitted infections – Circumcision has been found to reduce the risk of acquiring genital herpes by 28-34% and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) by 32-35%. HPV can lead to penile cancer, and circumcision also offers protection against this.
• Lower risk of cervical cancer in female partners – Circumcision can indirectly benefit female partners by reducing their risk of cervical cancer due to the decreased likelihood of HPV transmission from circumcised men.
• Prevention of penile inflammation – Circumcision can help prevent balanitis (inflammation of the head of the penis) and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis).
• Improved penile hygiene – Removing the foreskin makes it easier to keep the end of the penis clean, which can help prevent infections and swelling.
• Reduced risk of cancer – Circumcision is associated with a lower risk of penile cancer in men and cervical cancer in female partners due to the decreased likelihood of HPV transmission.
• Lower risk of other infections – Circumcision has been linked to a reduced risk of chancroid, syphilis, phimosis, and posthitis.
• Cost savings – Circumcision can lead to cost savings by reducing the incidence of urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections, resulting in lower treatment costs.

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