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The circumcision ceremony

Judaism and circumcision

Circumcision is an initiation rite for Jewish newborn babies. This usually takes place in a ceremony called a Brit (or Bris) milah witnessed by family and community members. Milah is Hebrew for Covenant of Circumcision.

The ritual is an ancient practice that has been carried out by Jewish parents for more than 3,000 years.

Such is the importance of Brit milah that circumcision can take place on the Sabbath or a holy day even though the drawing of blood is not normally allowed on these days under Jewish law.

According to the Torah (Genesis 17: 9-14), Abraham was commanded by God to circumcise himself, all male members of his household, his descendants and slaves in an everlasting covenant.

Under Jewish law, failure to follow the commandment given to Abraham incurs the penalty of karet (being cut off from the rest of the community of God).

The Torah (Genesis 16:14) also says: "Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreksin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant."

The ceremony

There are no special rules about where the ritual should take place. Most often it is held at the family's home but some people prefer it to be done in a synagogue.

The ritual is performed by a mohel (circumciser), usually an observant Jew, on the eighth day after birth unless there are medical reasons to prevent it happening. The mohel is required to have studied the religious laws and have the surgical skills essential to the operation. In the UK, the Initiation Society of Great Britain and the London Beth Din (Jewish Ecclesiastical Court) oversee the training and examination of student mohels.

The Bris is an important family celebration for Jewish people. It is required that the father and mohel must be present but it's usual for other family members to participate too.

Traditionally, an empty chair is set aside in the room for the prophet Elijah, who oversees the proceedings and ensures the continuation of the ritual.

The child may be brought into the room where the circumcision is to take place by the mother and other female family members.

During the circumcision, the child is held on the lap of a person who has been chosen to act as sandek. The grandfather of the child or the family rabbi often takes this role and it is considered an honour to do this.

Blessings are recited and a drop or two of wine is place in the child's mouth. He is given his official Hebrew name.

Afterwards the family celebrates with a festive meal.

Jewish opposition

Jewish opposition

Although circumcision is widespread in the Jewish community, not all Jews accept the cutting or removal of a baby's foreskin as an absolute requirement.

Some groups are now questioning the tradition, arguing that it is not essential to be circumcised to be a Jew.

Opponents claim that the religious arguments are not clear.

While circumcision may be an outward sign of one's commitment to the Jewish religion and culture, they stress that a child's Jewish identity is inherited through his mother.

Critics also point to the Torah's prohibition on marking or altering the human body as another reason why circumcision should be questioned. (Lev: 19:28).

The Torah states: "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh on account of the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord."

They argue that this passage contradicts the requirement for circumcision because it involves the cutting and marking of the genitals. This, they claim, is not consistent with Jewish law and values.

Opponents also insist that the Torah does not allow another person to be harmed. (Exodus 21: 18-27). In this context, growing awareness of infant pain has brought the ethics of circumcision into question.

Is circumcision ethical?

Ronald Goldman, a Boston psychologist and author of Questioning Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective, argues that "Judaism values ethics above doctrine and reason."

He claims that a high percentage of Jews circumcise their sons for social rather than religious reasons.

He points out that both Moses and Theodor Herzl, the leader of the movement to establish a Jewish state, did not circumcise their sons. He also says that circumcision was totally neglected during the 40 year period in the Wilderness. (Joshua 5:5)

In an article in the Jewish Spectator (1997), he wrote: "Because most Jews are non-traditional and are not aware of the religious meaning of circumcision, most Jewish circumcisions are done for cultural not religious reasons. These cultural reasons often tend to be related to beliefs, attitudes, and feelings about Jewish survival and identity."

He adds: "Many Jews believe that males must be circumcised to be Jewish. This is not true. As stated in the Encyclopedia Judaica: 'Any child born of a Jewish mother is a Jew, whether circumcised or not.'"

Alternatives to circumcision

Alternatives to circumcision

Jews who decide against circumcision but still want a ritual sometimes opt for a naming ceremony.

The alternative circumcision-free ritual is known as bris shalom.

The ceremony allows Jewish parents who object to circumcision the chance to take part in a ritual that can also be used for welcoming newborn baby girls into the community.

Sacred act

But supporters of circumcision argue that there is no real alternative. Circumcision is a religious and cultural act that is fundamental to their religion.

They believe that circumcision is divinely mandated. The reality is that few Jews are willing to break what they believe to be a covenant with God.

There are many reasons why most members of the Jewish community continue to support circumcision. Here are some of them:

• It is an important physical statement about man's covenant with God
• A covenant of the flesh is akin to a covenant of the heart - the foreskin is like an unneeded part of fruit. Rather like the stem of an apple, it is important at one stage but ultimately it is not part of that fruit
• It recognises that God has ownership of the body and it is God who gave the command to circumcise
• It is a profound statement of dedication towards one's ancestors
• It is an historic act that binds circumcised males to their ancestors and peers
• It is a cultural and physical sign that is symbolic
• It gives a sense of belonging

Practical

Supporters also maintain that eight days is the ideal time to circumcise a child.

They say the operation only takes a few minutes to perform and the wound has usually healed after five days.

They do not accept that circumcision is harmful to newborn babies or causes unnecessary pain.

In an online article on male circumcision, Dr Morris Sifman, medical officer of the Initiation Society of Great Britain, observes: "It is worth mentioning that many fathers and others have remarked that the baby's cry does not change at the moment of incision."

However, if the decision is left until later in life, anaesthetic is usually needed and there is an increased risk of medical complications and infections.

Find out more

• Male circumcision
• First Covenant
• Abraham
• Jewish birth rites