Brit Milah is an essential rite of passage in Judaism, practiced since antiquity. It is a celebration of a newborn baby boy’s entry into the Jewish community, embracing the covenant between the Jewish people, God and the newborn. The process of a Brit Milah is subject to debate, with some rabbinical opinions differing slightly from one another about the intricacies of the process. Nevertheless, the core of the ancient ritual remains the same.
At a Brit Milah, a Jewish ritual circumciser, known as a Mohel, performs a brief but symbolic religious procedure on the newborn. The Mohel generally recites blessings over the baby and his family, and the baby’s father recites several other blessings. The Brit Milah is a strictly private affair, closed off to the public and performed in the presence of at least two other adults – in addition to the Mohel, who is specially trained. The Mohel then makes a light snip on the foreskin of the penis with a pair of sterile scissors, and while some sources suggest that this is performed without anaesthetic, there is debate over whether this is indeed the case.
The Brit Milah is traditionally held on the eighth day of the baby’s birth, although it can be postponed if the baby is unwell or the day coincides with a Jewish holiday. While the tradition suggests no particular reason for its prohibition of postponement, many rabbinical sources point to the timing of the ceremony as having symbolic significance. For example, Judaism sees the 8th day as the day of departure from the unrefined, natural state that the baby is born with, to be replaced with a spiritual connection with the greater Jewish community.
Rabbi Joseph Fleischmann of the Jewish Theological Seminary suggested that the physical act of the circumcision is not what carries the religious significance of the ritual. He argues that the sources of power and holiness are transmitted from one generation to another in Jewish folklore, and that the circumcision itself merely serves as a visible symbol of this transmission. Thus, the ritual is seen more as a spiritual event, rather than a physical one.
The Brit Milah is an important event in a family’s life, and it is often marked with communal celebration. Refreshments, blessing and desires for the newborn and his family are generally shared after the Brit Milah. This celebration is as important and essential to Judaism as the circumcision itself. Rabbi Avi Shafran of Agudath Israel of America believes that by celebrating the brit milah, the family and greater community demonstrate their commitment to the covenant.
The ritual of the Brit Milah has been maintained for many millennia, with the first reference to the act of circumcision in the Torah. It is thought to have originated as an act of religious devotion, with its roots in pagan cults. As such, it has religious, spiritual and practical purposes. It stands as a physical reminder of a bond between all members of the Jewish faith, as such taking on a communal significance, as well as being an important component of one’s identity.
Impact Of Reform Judaism On Brit Milah
Reform Judaism is a modern interpretation of Judaism which encourages a more liberal interpretation of the faith, allowing change and modernisation in areas such as social justice, gender equality and more. In the early days of reform Judaism, the practice of circumcision was abolished, largely because it was seen to conflict with the goals of equality and social justice.
In recent years however, reform Judaism has seen a somewhat unexpected shift back towards the practice of Brit Milah. Although still officially opposed to the practice, many reform rabbis in both America and the UK have chosen to perform the Brit Milah ritual when asked to do so as a show of communal solidarity.
Rabbi Alexander Schindler, head of Reform Judaism of the United States, claims that the decision to perform circumcisions within reform Judaism has been taken out of respect to the traditional practices and beliefs of Jewish families. He claims that while reform Judaism fully recognises the view of a ‘universal brotherhood’, the traditional practice of Brit Milah should not be ignored in a ‘pluralistic’ society.
Rabbi Jack Reimer, spiritual leader of Reform Judaism in the United Kingdom, echoed similar sentiments, noting that a “Moderate” practice of Brit Milah helps to reinforce the bonds of the Jewish community, by respecting the religious traditions of parents who wish to have their children circumcised.
Reform Judaism, by default, encourages a more progressive approach to religious life and beliefs, yet despite this, the practice of Brit Milah remains integral to the faith for many.
Compromise Or Conflicting Beliefs?
The debate surrounding whether Brit Milah should be allowed in Reform Judaism appears to come down to a disagreement between two sets of beliefs. On the one hand, Reform Judaism believes in a universal human brotherhood, and on the other, the circumcision of infants is seen as part of one’s religious identity.
Some argue that this is a conflict of values, and that by performing Brit Milah, reform Judaism is in effect endorsing an outdated and patriarchal practice of physical modification on a child without their consent. On the contrary however, there are those who suggest that allowing the ceremony within Reform Judaism could act as an embodiment of the principle of respect for one another’s beliefs, by making concessions for centuries-old rituals and practices.
Rabbi Hillel Goldman, a Reform Rabbi in part of the American Midwest, proposes a compromise between the two schools of thought, urging that a middle-ground be found. He believes that by accommodating both sets of beliefs, it opens up the possibility for further connection and understanding between those who practice and defend traditional Jewish laws and those trying to find an appropriate way to continue those laws in the modern world.
Ultimately, the decision to perform Brit Milah must come down to the family to whom the baby belongs, and a place needs to be found that satisfies both the needs of Reform Judaism and traditional Judaism.
Medical Benefits Of Brit Milah
Aside from the firm religious and spiritual significance of the Brit Milah, there are some thought to be medical benefits associated with the procedure. An abundance of research studies suggest that routine circumcision may reduce the risk of infection and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
In addition, the circumcision of the penis can decrease the chances of urinary tract infection in infants, as well as providing some protection against penile cancer in men. This prevention of health problems can be seen as an additional justification for the practice of Brit Milah.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also acknowledges that there are some potential health benefits associated with the circumcision of male infants, but suggests that, in the case of the United States, any justifications for the practice should be considered within the wider context of cultural, religious and ethical values.
The AAP claims that there is not enough evidence to recommend routine circumcision and that parents should instead be presented with accurate and unbiased information, and then be allowed to make their own decisions. Their recommendations, as stated in their 2012 policy statement, highlight that any decision regarding the practice of a Brit Milah should be made on an individual basis “in an atmosphere of mutual respect.”
Health & Safety
When a Brit Milah is carried out, it is considered essential that the highest standards of health and safety are maintained. To ensure the safety of all involved, a Mohel should always check that their instruments are clean, genuine and unused and speak to the parents about any possible risks associated with the procedure.
The ritual is also subject to laws surrounding consent in many countries, requiring that parents and any other involved parties sign a consent form before it can go ahead. These regulations are in place to protect infants from any and all possible adverse effects, as well as ensuring that parents are fully informed of the risks associated with the Brit Milah.
The process of circumcising of an infant has seen some medical advancements in recent years, with the anaesthetising of the infant’s penis having become commonplace. Many Mohels also now take full responsibility for the physical and psychological effects of the procedure, and advocate for parental involvement in the rite of passage.
The religious significance of a Brit Milah is not lost on its practitioners, and it is alongside the increased safety regulations that this part of the tradition is still as significant today as it was thousands of years ago. The process of Brit Milah is increasingly less physical and more spiritual and ceremonial in nature, yet the process still stands as a mark of transition and a statement of faith for the newborn and his family.
Brit Milah Related Issues & Controversy
The practice of Brit Milah has occasionally caused controversy, largely due to its alleged association with female genital mutilation (FGM). This has led to resistance in some countries and attempts to convert it into a political issue. These accusations, however, have been strongly dismissed by many religious leaders.
Other controversies surround the subject of non-therapeutic neonatal circumcision. This issue refers to the debate around whether or not parents should be able to choose to have their infants circumcised with or without any proven medical benefit. Such debates have been contentious and highly emotive, largely due to potential alleged ethical implications.
Rabbi Zymelkat of New York believes that the Brit Milah is a complex and sensitive matter, particularly in terms of the legal, ethical and social implications that this practice has in the modern world. He claims that, with so many differing opinions on the matter, making an informed decision is difficult and should be left to the parents, after consultation with a Rabbi.
The subject of ‘male infant circumcision’ appears to be a contested one, with the line between what is appropriate and what is not becoming increasingly blurred. As such, parents should take the time to learn about the history and the implications of the Brit Milah before making a final decision.
Pop Culture & Brit Milah
The Brit Milah appears in various forms of popular culture and media. Due to its religious significance, the practice of Brit Milah has seen a huge influx of interest, particularly in recent years, as a result of its inclusion in popular films, television shows and even video games.
Such outlets have helped to bring the ritual to the public sphere, often presenting it in a positive light and thus contributing to its popularity. As a result, it is estimated that a much higher number of babies are now being circumcised than in previous decades.
The representation of the practice of Brit Milah in popular culture has also had unintended consequences. A survey conducted in 2013 showed that a considerable number of respondents believed that the Brit Milah was a plausible form of religious male rite of passage, despite having no real knowledge of Judaism at all. The survey concluded that these respondents had come to associate the Brit Milah solely
