i was just wondering - in the jewish religion, why is it that all boys have the foreskin removed? is it symbolic? if so, what is it symbolic of?
2007-08-24 08:51:50 · 10 answers · asked by raspberry 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
We do it because God commanded Abraham to do it to himself and as a commandment for all his descendants thereafter as a sign of the covenant between the Jewish people and God. And, as commanded by God, the circumcision is done on the EIGHT day after birth (the day if the birth is counted as day one) barring any health complications. So the first symbolism of it is the covenant between the Jews and God.
On a more esoteric level, it is taught that the Jews are God's partners in creation, and thus God deliberately left certain things incomplete in order to allow us to do it in order to become his partner. Thus in the spiritual realm the Sabath completes the creation, on the physical level, the circumcision completes the creation of man.
2007-08-26 04:58:32 · answer #1 · answered by allonyoav 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Circumcision is an outward sign of the Abrahamic Covenant. As an interesting juxtaposition, Jesus once rebuked the Jewish leaders by calling them uncircumcised of heart.
During New Testament times, the early Christians had a huge debate over whether Gentiles must first convert to Juadism (and hence undergo circumcision) before being allowed to be baptized Christian. Peter, through much persuasion by Paul, declared that Gentile converts were not subject to the Law of Moses.
2007-08-24 11:22:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It was symbolic of the "setting aside" of the Jewish people as holy to God.
Circumcise means to "cut around", which shows that the Jews were "cut off" from the rest of the world. This was a reminder in men's flesh that Jews were holy, different, and set aside just for God as His chosen people.
Men were the leaders, and that is why only they needed reminding.
In moder times, people cite tradition and health reasons for continuing the practice, but it no longer truly serves the purpose intended. And, Christianity has arisen which allows both Jews and Gentiles (anybody not a Jew) both to become acceptable and pleasing to God.
While the Jews will have a place of honor when this world comes to an end, there will be countless Jews and Gentiles admitted to Heaven as per the book of Revelation.
2007-08-24 09:04:00 · answer #3 · answered by Barry F 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oh good grief, how about if someone Jewish (me) answers this?
Circumcision is a fundamental rite of Judaism. It is a positive commandment obligatory under Jewish law for Jewish males, and is only postponed or abrogated in the case of threat to the life or health of the child. It is usually performed in a ceremony called a Brit milah (or Bris milah, colloquially simply bris) (Hebrew for "Covenant of circumcision"). According to the Torah (Genesis, chapter 17 verses 9-14), God commanded Abraham to circumcise himself, his offspring and his slaves as a sign of an everlasting covenant. It's a tremendously joyous event.
2007-08-24 09:15:14 · answer #4 · answered by Mark S, JPAA 7 · 4⤊ 3⤋
I'm not really answering the question but I heard most American babies are circumcised, is this true? Anyway I think it is a divine command in Genesis. Wow there are hundreds of geese outside!
http://www.shamash.org/lists/scj-faq/HTML/faq/21-01-02.html
2007-08-24 09:02:44 · answer #5 · answered by Louise 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
on the seventh day the baby is circumsized by a mohel
google Mohel and the word BRis
bris is the word to use for circumcizion .
2007-08-25 11:00:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Abram & his wife were "Reproductively Dead". As part of the "Covenant" between God & Abram, God said that He would make Abram "The Father of Many Nations". Abrams' "Part" of the "Covenant" was in Faith, to kinda "Sign in Blood" by having his "Part" (Useless Skin) Removed. When he did as God Commanded, Abram & his Wifes "Parts" were given "New Life" and they Indeed became "Parents to many Nations"!!! This is a "Sign" to the Jews of Gods "Covenant" to them and is perpetuated in "Remembrance" to the "Faithfulness of God"!!! John
2007-08-24 09:11:07 · answer #7 · answered by moosemose 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cutting through the religious significance given to the ritual, circumcision's foremost purpose was originally to mark Jewish males as being different from their non-Jewish neighbors.
2007-08-24 08:59:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
" How do all of us understand pedophile rabbis in can charge hundreds or hundreds of years in the past did no longer invent that rule and then use the “excuse” to justify it?" we dont, and can never understand this variety of factor
2016-10-09 04:25:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because G-d said so
2007-08-24 22:24:41 · answer #10 · answered by ST 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋