The Origins of Infant Circumcision in Israel

Abstract

Jewish law requires each healthy boy to be circumcised on his eighth day; as a rule only converts undergo the more traumatic adult circumcision (Mifoah Gerim 2:5). Of the many peoples that practice ritual circumcision, however, few besides the Jews and those influenced by them perform the operation upon infants. More typically, males are circumcised in boyhood or early adolescence. 1 It is therefore appropriate to explore the reasons for this unusual Israelite rite. Though the Bible traces the practice to the days of the patriarchs, the relevant passages are

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