Abraham, the first Jew, was the first human being to practice circumcision. Since then, circumcision has been a ritual that brings Jewish babies into the covenant with G-d. In fact, the Hebrew name for circumcision, or brit, is the same word for covenant. In Soviet Russia, where all Jewish rituals were outlawed, and in concentration camps during the Holocaust, there were many who risked their lives to bring their sons into the covenant, and in spite of many who disapprove of the custom, the number of Jews seeking kosher circumcision for themselves and for their infant sons in increasing.
Circumcision is performed on an 8 day old infant, provided that he is healthy, and on males who are converting to Judaism. For those who are already circumcised, a drop of blood is taken from the penis prior to the conversion.
There are many myths concerning circumcision:
1. Ritual circumcision is inhumane.
Circumcisions, when performed by a mohel, or a person who performs circumcisions according to Jewish law, take only 15 seconds for an infant. The blade is quite sharp and the procedure is done quickly to minimize the pain. Circumcisions performed in the hospital require clamps which can be painful. This is one reason why many people prefer ritual circumcision to a hospital procedure.
2. A Hospital Circumcision is Kosher.
There are two phases involved in kosher circumcisions, and hospital procedures do not completely remove the foreskin in a way prescribed by Jewish law. Jews who have had a hospital circumcision should consult a rabbi about what to do. Correcting a circumcision involves the application of local anesthetic and is painless.
3. Circumcision makes one more vulnerable to infection.
In fact, it has been shown that circumcision makes one 50% less likely to contract HIV. In Africa, many leaders are consulting Jewish experts to make circumcision more widespread as a preventative measure against HIV infection.
For more information, e-mail info@brityy.org or call toll free 1 877 BRIT MILA
This organization performs free circumcisions for Jews worldwide.
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