Circumcision

Question 1

Why do Jewish boys need to be circumcised?

Answer 1

Due to the Covenant. This is a promise between God and the Jews. God promised them: land of their own, he would take care of them, and make him his chosen people.
In return… Jews promised to obey God’s commandments in the Torah , and also to circumcise all males at 8 days old.

Question 2

The ceremony

Answer 2

Called Britmilah ‘covenant of cutting’
1. Baby brought in by Kvatter
2. Baby passed to Sandek, trusted male felatuve often grandfather, who holds the child when the Mohel performs the Brit (act fo cutting)
Chair of Elijah, often left empty to remember Elijah (Old Testament prophet who accused the Israelites of not keeping the covenant , so God commanded him to be present at every circumcision.)

Question 3

Evaluate whether circumcision is right:

Answer 3

Yes:
Religious birth rite that identifies people with the Jewish faith. Would be religious discrimination to be illegal.
Doesn’t damage the baby’s health.
No:
Baby is not old enough to consent, and might not even want to be Jewish. The procedure is irreversible.
It is quite an intrusive procedure that could go wrong and damage baby’s health, and probably comes with pain