Dear Tal,



The reasons and explanations for many of the commandments written in the Torah are unknown to both scholars and religious people. Circumcision is a custom practiced by ancient peoples like the Egyptians and African and Australian tribes.

It is difficult to find the “natural” or mystical reason to circumcise the males.

The Torah gives a reason for the commandment of circumcision, which is the making of a covenant between Israel and G-d. “Such shall be the covenant between Me and you and your offspring to follow which you shall keep: every male among you shall be circumcised” (Genesis 17:10). This is a theological reason.

It is interesting that in our times most Jews circumcise their sons for tribal reasons. The secular public does not circumcise them because of the covenant with “G-d,” but to show their belonging to and identification with the Jewish people, just as primitive tribes induct their males into the tribe through circumcision.



Why specifically on the eighth day? It is not clear. To show that even religious people do not know the reason it is on the eighth day, I will cite the words of the Talmud in their odd explanation for circumcision on the eighth day. “And why did the Torah ordain circumcision on the eighth day? In order that the guests shall not enjoy themselves while the father and mother are sad [on account of the prohibition against intercourse which remains in force while the woman is a niddah]” (Niddah 31b). Today Halacha forbids the menstruating woman for 12-14 days, so given this reason we ought to wait with the circumcision until after 12 days.

For more on the topic of the Orthodox view of circumcision, see our essay Circumcision.



Sincerely,



Daat Emet

Dear Erez,



You are correct in saying that there is no significant difference between male and female circumcision, and the whole approach to female circumcision as terrible and different from male circumcision stems from purely cultural norms.

Moreover, if circumcision is practiced to create a covenant with G-d or as induction into a tribe, it is egalitarian to include women in this act of circumcision. But Western eyes have become accustomed to male circumcision and are shocked by female circumcision, due to habit and mockery of ancient customs.

Similar is the treatment of monotheistic religions. Western culture is based in Christianity and is forgiving of monotheistic religions, though they are totalitarian and do not permit freedom of religion and conscience. On the other hand, idolaters are mocked though in substance they are closer to the Western values of pluralism and freedom of religion and conscience.

About your question whether Daat Emet members circumcise their sons:

Daat Emet is composed of many people, and personal decisions like circumcision are not rational; by their nature there will be varied answers.

I will cite the words of the great philosopher who shook off Torah and the commandments, Benedict Spinoza: “As to their continuance so long after dispersion and the loss of empire, there is nothing marvellous in it, for they so separated themselves from every other nation as to draw down upon themselves universal hate, not only by their outward rites, rites conflicting with those of other nations, but also by the sign of circumcision which they most scrupulously observe…The sign of circumcision is, as I think, so important, that I could persuade myself that it alone would preserve the nation for ever… Of such a possibility we have a very famous example in the Chinese. They, too, have some distinctive mark on their heads which they most scrupulously observe, and by which they keep themselves apart from everyone else, and have thus kept themselves during so many thousand years that they far surpass all other nations in antiquity. They have not always retained empire, but they have recovered it when lost, and doubtless will do so again after the spirit of the Tartars becomes relaxed through the luxury of riches and pride (“Theologico-Politcal Treatise,” Magnus, Jersualem, pp. 42-43).

Circumcision is one of the remnants of ancient rituals which are still maintained scrupulously, even by the secular public. One who looks from outside would see the circumcision cut as an act of violence against a newborn babe.

In other words: The circumcision act is polarized — on the one hand this is a ritual which provides the identity and belonging a person needs psychologically. On the other hand, it is an act of violent harm and the cutting of skin for which, were we not accustomed to it, we would charge the parents with abuse of their children.



Sincerely,



Daat Emet