The Jewish people recieved from God distinctive signs and symbols that marked their liturgical life. These are no longer soly celebrations of cosmic cycles and social gestures, but as signs of the Covenant, symbols of God's mighty deeds for his people. Among these liturgical signs from the Old Covenant are circumscision, anointing and consecration of kings and priests, laying on of hands, sacrifices and above all else, Passover.
2006-07-11 18:00:32
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answer #1
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answered by The Nag 5
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I don't know what the more modernized (the word for it is escaping me now) Jewish custom on this is, but for orthodox Jews it is very important as it is a symbol of the covenant between God and Abraham. Genesis 17 talks about it a lot, and theres other references like Leviticus 12:3, Joshua 5:2-7 if you want to look up some Scripture on it.
Hope that helps
2006-07-12 00:59:22
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answer #2
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answered by tyhollo 2
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It was Abraham (who was a Jew) that God started the circumcision covenant with. Genesis 17:10
2006-07-12 01:26:35
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answer #3
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answered by candi_k7 5
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Circumcision
Circumcision. Circumcision was peculiarly, though not exclusively, a Jewish rite. It was enjoined upon Abraham, the father of the nation, by God, at the institution and as the token of the covenant, which assured to him and his descendants, the promise of the Messiah. Genesis 17. It was, thus, made a necessary condition of Jewish nationality.
Every male child was to be circumcised when eight days old, Lev_12:3, on pain of death. The biblical notice of the rite describes it as distinctively Jewish; so that, in the New Testament, "the circumcision," and "the uncircumcision," are frequently used as synonyms for the Jews and the Gentiles.
The rite has been found to prevail extensively in both ancient and modern times. Though Mohammed did not enjoin circumcision in the Koran, he was circumcised himself, according to the custom of his country; and circumcision is now as common among the Mohammedans as among the Jews.
The process of restoring a circumcised person to his natural condition by a surgical operation was sometimes undergone. Some of the Jews in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, wishing to assimilate themselves to the heathen around them, "made themselves uncircumcised." Against having recourse to this practice, from an excessive anti-Judaistic tendency, St. Paul cautions the Corinthians. 1Co_7:18.
Circumcision
Cutting around. This rite, practised before, as some think, by divers races, was appointed by God to be the special badge of his chosen people, an abiding sign of their consecration to him. It was established as a national ordinance (Gen_17:10, Gen_17:11). In compliance with the divine command, Abraham, though ninety-nine years of age, was circumcised on the same day with Ishmael, who was thirteen years old (Gen_17:24-27). Slaves, whether homeborn or purchased, were circumcised (Gen_17:12, Gen_17:13); and all foreigners must have their males circumcised before they could enjoy the privileges of Jewish citizenship (Exo_12:48). During the journey through the wilderness, the practice of circumcision fell into disuse, but was resumed by the command of Joshua before they entered the Promised Land (Jos_5:2-9). It was observed always afterwards among the tribes of israel, although it is not expressly mentioned from the time of the settlement in Canaan till the time of Christ, about 1,450 years. The Jews prided themselves in the possession of this covenant distinction (Jdg_14:3; Jdg_15:18; 1Sa_14:6; 1Sa_17:26; 2Sa_1:20; Eze_31:18).
As a rite of the church it ceased when the New Testament times began (Gal_6:15; Col_3:11). Some Jewish Christians sought to impose it, however, on the Gentile converts; but this the apostles resolutely resisted (Act_15:1; Gal_6:12). Our Lord was circumcised, for it “became him to fulfil all righteousness,” as of the seed of Abraham, according to the flesh; and Paul “took and circumcised” Timothy (Act_16:3), to avoid giving offence to the Jews. It would render Timothy's labours more acceptable to the Jews. But Paul would by no means consent to the demand that Titus should be circumcised (Gal_2:3-5). The great point for which he contended was the free admission of uncircumcised Gentiles into the church. He contended successfully in behalf of Titus, even in Jerusalem.
In the Old Testament a spiritual idea is attached to circumcision. It was the symbol of purity (Isa_52:1). We read of uncircumcised lips (Exo_6:12, Exo_6:30), ears (Jer_6:10), hearts (Lev_26:41). The fruit of a tree that is unclean is spoken of as uncircumcised (Lev_19:23).
It was a sign and seal of the covenant of grace as well as of the national covenant between God and the Hebrews.
(1.) It sealed the promises made to Abraham, which related to the commonwealth of Israel, national promises.
(2.) But the promises made to Abraham included the promise of redemption (Gal_3:14), a promise which has come upon us. The covenant with Abraham was a dispensation or a specific form of the covenant of grace, and circumcision was a sign and seal of that covenant. It had a spiritual meaning. It signified purification of the heart, inward circumcision effected by the Spirit (Deu_10:16; Deu_30:6; Eze_44:7; Act_7:51; Rom_2:28; Col_2:11).
Under the Jewish dispensation, church and state were identical. No one could be a member of the one without also being a member of the other. Circumcision was a sign and seal of membership in both. Every circumcised person bore thereby evidence that he was one of the chosen people, a member of the church of God as it then existed, and consequently also a member of the Jewish commonwealth.
Circumcision
Instituted by God
Gen_17:9; Gen_17:10;
Described
Gen_17:11; Exo_4:25;
Enforced by the law
Lev_12:3; Joh_7:22;
CALLED THE
Covenant of circumcision
Act_7:8;
Circumcision in the flesh
Eph_2:11;
Concision
Phi_3:2;
A painful and bloody rite
Exo_4:26; Jos_5:8;
Promises to Abraham previous to
Rom_4:9; Rom_4:13;
A seal of the covenant
Gen_17:11; Rom_4:11;
Introductory Jewish ordinances
Gal_5:3;
Outward sign of
Rom_2:28;
Inward grace
Rom_2:29;
Necessary to enjoying the privileges of the Jewish State
Exo_12:48; Eze_44:7;
WAS PERFORMED
On males home-born and bought
Gen_17:12; Gen_17:13;
On the eighth day
Gen_17:12; Lev_12:3;
Even on the sabbath day
Joh_7:22; Joh_7:23;
With knives of flint
Exo_4:25; Jos_5:3;
By the heads of families
Gen_17:23; Exo_4:25;
By persons in authority
Jos_5:3;
In the presence of the family, &c
Luk_1:58-61;
Accompanied with naming the child
Gen_21:3; Gen_21:4; Luk_1:59; Luk_2:21;
First performed on Abraham and his family
Gen_17:24-27;
Not performed in the wilderness
Jos_5:5;
Performed by Joshua at Gilgal
Jos_5:2; Jos_5:7;
Punishment for neglecting
Gen_17:14; Exo_4:24; Exo_4:26;
Without faith, vain
Rom_3:30; Gal_5:6;
Without obedience, vain
Rom_2:25; 1Co_7:19;
THE JEWS
Denominated by
Act_10:45; Gal_2:9;
Held it unlawful to intermarry with those not of the
Gen_34:14; Jdg_14:3;
Held no intercourse with those not of the
Act_10:28; Act_11:3; Gal_2:12;
Despised as unclean those not of the
1Sa_14:6; 1Sa_17:26; Mat_15:26; Mat_15:27; Eph_2:11; Eph_2:15;
Sometimes performed on slain enemies
1Sa_18:25-27; 2Sa_3:14;
Abolished by the gospel
Eph_2:11; Eph_2:15; Col_3:11;
Performed on Timothy as a matter or expediency because of the Jews
Act_16:3;
Necessity of, denied by Paul
Gal_2:3-5;
Necessity of, asserted by false teachers
Act_15:24; Gal_6:12; Tit_1:10;
Trusting to, a denial of Christ
Gal_3:3; Gal_3:4; Gal_5:3; Gal_5:4;
Paul denounced for opposing
Act_21:21;
Saints the true spiritual
Phi_3:3; Col_2:11;
ILLUSTRATIVE OF
Readiness to hear and obey
Jer_6:10;
Purity of heart
Deu_10:16; Deu_30:6;
Purity of speech
Exo_6:12;
2006-07-12 02:22:39
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answer #4
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answered by OhWell 6
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Religiously, Jews have to be circumcised by a Rabbi.
2006-07-12 00:57:07
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answer #5
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answered by Zorro 3
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It is common practice/religious belief for Jewish people to be circumcised.
2006-07-12 00:55:54
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answer #6
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answered by Lubers25 7
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Yes, Jews are circumsized. It's a pretty tight party. Champagne, Cognac, all that she-at.
In the long run, it makes us look bigger, which gets us pussy, which gets us attention, which gets us jobs, which gets us money, which makes us rich.
2006-07-12 00:55:28
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answer #7
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answered by J 1
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why do you want to be brissed a briss is the circum ciseing of the boy children as a sign of the covenant with israel from god so hebrews of faith still do it
2006-07-12 00:55:32
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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i think jews require it as do the muslims
2006-07-12 00:55:34
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answer #9
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answered by ? 2
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Only the men.
2006-07-12 01:03:45
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answer #10
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answered by Ranto 7
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