2007-11-06 08:18:52 · 11 answers · asked by mlsgeorge 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is the sign of the covenant between Abraham and God that the Jews would eternally be God's nation.
On a more esoteric level, the following explanations is offered: Jews are God's partners in creation. Obviously, we were not around at the creation of the world- so how can we be his partners in creation?
This is explained as follows: The foreskin is an imperfection on the body- by removing the foreskin, and thus perfecting the creation, we have completed the creation started by God. This takes care of the physical realm. In the spiritual realm, we see that God finished creating on the 6th day- and rested on the seventh. But the seventh day is still part of creation- so how can it be part of creation- if God rested and refrained from work on the 7th day? This is where the Jews come in- by observing the Shabbos day by observing the laws of shabbos given to us by God, we build up the spiritual realm, thus completing its creation and partnering with God in this endeavor.
2007-11-06 20:12:45 · answer #1 · answered by allonyoav 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is surposed to be the sealing of the blood covenant between god and the jews.
Its performed on all male jews to renew the covenant in a more personal way. So each jewish male can claim to have his own part in the covenant.
2007-11-06 08:43:16 · answer #2 · answered by Terry M 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely none. It's a Judaic tradition because it's a Judaic tradition, essentially. Personally, I think it's an early attempt to stamp out masturbation.
You do remember how the bliblical God went ballistic every time someone "spilled their seed", don't you? By cutting off the foreskin, masturbation becomes very painful without proper lubrication, and in ancient times it wasn't so easy to get Vaseline. Especially in a desert climate.
2007-11-06 08:25:13 · answer #3 · answered by Belzetot 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
It's a sign of the covenant between G-d and the Jews.
It has also been found to prevent infection, since perfect cleanliness was hard to come by, many men died of infection due to improper cleaning techniques in that area. Removing the foreskin eliminates this problem.
2007-11-06 08:54:13 · answer #4 · answered by LadySuri 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I think is was a health thing as when the rule was made up they were living in the desert and water was scarce and it is easier to wash the penis after it is circumcised. You know its a funny thing I am not Jewish or Muslim but I was circumcised as a baby. I don't know why and I never bothered to ask.
2007-11-06 09:43:00 · answer #5 · answered by Maid Angela 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Circumcision is "token of a covenant betwixt" G-d and Avraham and his descendants. Genesis 17:11
See link for details.
2007-11-06 08:38:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I read it was originally an Egyptian custom that got imported in the Hebrew culture. Essentially its a tribal marking. My father was a Muslim so I was circumcised, but I refused to do it to my son.
2007-11-06 09:43:12 · answer #7 · answered by numbnuts222 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Just a thought for 'funnymentalists'..if we are god's 'perfect' design, then why were male babies born with a foreskin at all? I think that this is a 'reductio ad absurdum' of this particular rite whether practised by jews or muslims (who incidentally also recommend the barbaric practise of female circumcision).
2007-11-06 09:25:01 · answer #8 · answered by azteccameron1 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
'By cutting off the foreskin, masturbation becomes very painful'
- One word - ouch !!!!!!
2007-11-06 08:30:37 · answer #9 · answered by Ash 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
G-d said to do it
2007-11-06 16:37:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋