A Jewish Perspective on Circumcision

Abstract

We did not circumcise my son. Instead, we created a beautiful, gentle welcoming ceremony to celebrate his entry into the Jewish people and the world community. Instead of a bris milah, there was a bris blee milah—covenant without circumcision. We reinterpreted the notion of covenant to mean the commitment that we, his parents, made, publicly, to bring him up with love, respect, openness, and gentleness. Friends lit candles for him and shared blessings and poems for him, some in traditional Hebrew, others specially written for the occasion. We had music, prayers, songs, dancing, and we spoke about the meanings of his names and about our decision not to circumcise him. The family and friends who joined us for this celebration included Jews, Muslims, Christians, Quakers, Humanists, and Atheists.