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Jewish circumcision: a commandment of Judaism
In Judaism, circumcision is commonly called “brit milah”. These two words mean “alliance” and “cut”. It is indeed a covenant with God, like that of Abraham in the Old Testament : in Genesis, God asks him to be circumcised when he is 99 years old. He will also circumcise his sons: Ishmael, then a teenager, and Isaac shortly after his birth. Indeed, according to the divine word, circumcision must be carried out at the age of eight days in all men. “This rite is therefore a command in the Jewish religion”, explains Patrick Banon, researcher and specialist in religions. Unless otherwise medically advised, circumcision should be performed at this time. The mother who has just given birth, it’s up to the father to organize the ceremony. The incision is most often made by a Experienced Mohel (circumciser) or a pediatrician. The position of the baby is also important. During the operation, it is customary for the child to rest on the knees of the Sandaq, a “sage”. Usually this is the paternal grandfather. In addition, the most practicing will perform circumcision on a specific seat: a high chair, called the chair of the Prophet Elijah.
The symbolism of blood In Judaism, circumcision is a bloody rite and oath. It is also the expression of the boy’s fertility and a way of bringing him into society. Formerly, circumcision was also linked to procreation: it was an agrarian rite, the blood of the circumcised was poured on the soil to fertilize it. “We can draw a parallel with the woman, who becomes fertile with the first period”, specifies Patrick Banon. Moreover, the blood that flows during the removal of the foreskin is very symbolic: if there is none, the child is not considered circumcised and Jewish ”. |
The royal family of England and circumcision For a long time, circumcision was a tradition within the royal family of England. A descendant of King David, a Jewish monarch, Queen Victoria had her boys circumcised. The custom was perpetuated until Prince Charles. Princess Lady Diana, opposed to this practice, refused to have her sons William and Harry circumcised. |
Muslim circumcision: a legacy of Abraham in Islam
Very widespread in the Muslim world, circumcision, called “khitan”is not, an “obligation in Islam”, contrary to popular belief. “This is not a commandment but rather a traditional incitement. It is about the adhesion of the Judeo-Christian texts ”, underlines Patrick Banon. In fact, circumcision is mentioned in several hadiths (texts retracing the life of Muhammad), but not in the Quran. This ritual has almost always been practiced in the Arab world. It was a rite of passage in adolescence. It was done at the same time as a sister’s engagement or marriage. The act being painful, the populations have, over time, reduced the age of the operation.
We can thus consider that the current circumcision in the Arab-Muslim world is a marriage between this ancient tradition and the legacy of Abraham, one of the most important prophets for Muslims. In Muslim culture, children are generally circumcised between the ages of 4 and 13, before puberty. However, in Iran it most often takes place on the same day of birth.
Circumcision, abandoned by Christians
Quite marginal today in the Christian community, circumcision was once very common. Jesus, a Jew by birth, was circumcised. And at the time, the Church celebrated what is called the worship of the Holy Foreskin on January 1, 8 days after the birth of Christ. But this practice was abandoned to facilitate conversions. However, no theological break was observed. Moreover, if we refer to the word of Saint Paul, we can think that this practice was not considered essential in Christianity: “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing: what counts is to keep the commandments of God ”, we can read in the Epistles of the disciple.
Today, circumcision is still performed in the Christian churches of Egypt and Ethiopia, sometimes at the same time as baptism. Christians in the Near and Middle East are still attached to it. This is mainly due to the proximity to populations practicing this ritual.
Circumcision: and for mixed couples?
The question of circumcision also arises among couples from different cultures or religions. For Patrick Banon, this subject deserves a real discussion: “ in a Jewish-Christian couple, circumcision can be established as an open option. It can facilitate the entry of the child into Judaism if he wishes to follow this religion. Indeed, one can be a Christian and circumcised but not a Jew and not circumcised ”. And the specialist insists: “at the outset, circumcision is an oath by the effusion of blood which commits the following generations. We commit ourselves, but also our descendants. You have to have that in mind. This is an important point for mixed couples ”. Moreover, formerly, there was a typing-phallic cult in Mediterranean communities. When a person took an oath, he shed blood from his thumb to show his own commitment. But by practicing circumcision, it meant that it also engaged future generations.