This past week, I was speaking to a few medical professionals about the specific cultural practice of brit milah (circumcision) from a Jewish perspective, and how it differs from a routine medical circumcision. One of the nurses asked me to explain the origin of the practice and the centrality of brit to our religion.
I started off my crash course in milah by discussing our forefather Abraham (the first Jew to be circumcised—and at age 99!) and his son Isaac (the first Jew to be circumcised at eight days old). I described how all Jews throughout history, and in every circumstance, have universally circumcised their children. The group was fascinated to learn how even otherwise unobservant parents are so dedicated to this one mitzvah that they will, if necessary, arrange for a mohel (trained circumcisor) to fly in, just to ensure that their precious newborn child has a kosher brit.
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