Harmful traditional practices, (male circumcision - Electronic Thesis ...

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presence of either the mother or father or both parents. 29 After the removal of
the foreskin, a “protective cap, which falls off within a week” is sewn onto the tip
of the penis in order to prevent friction between the raw wound and clothing. 30
Many Jews find their justification for circumcision in the Old Testament or Jewish
Bible. 31 In addition to the holy books contained in the Jewish Bible are the
Mishna and the Talmud, which constitute the second source of Jewish law. 32
There are numerous passages contained in these books which refer to
circumcision. 33
In Judaism, circumcisions are performed in a ceremony called the Bris Milah
(Covenant of Circumcision) by a religious practitioner on the 8 th day after an
infant’s birth. 34 During the procedure an empty chair is placed in the room
symbolizing the belief amongst Jews that the prophet Elijah is present at each
and every circumcision. 35 At some ceremonies up to 250 people are invited,
usually family and friends, to celebrate a “new life” not only for the child but for
all present. 36
A mohel, the person carrying out the procedure, has to have both the surgical
skill as well as knowledge of Jewish law in order to perform the procedure. 37
Before being allowed to practice, a mohel undergoes an intensive apprenticeship
under the guidance of an experienced senior Mohel. 38
29
Ibid.
30
Ibid.
31
Interview with Rabbi Maizels of Camps Bay Synagogue on 27 September 2006.
32
Aldeeb Abu Sahlieh SA, “Male and Female Circumcision – Among Jews, Christians and Muslims,
Religious, Medical, Social and Legal Debate”, Shangri-La Publications, 2001 at 17.
33
Ibid at 17.
34
See fn 29.
35
Ibid.
36
Ibid.
37
Author unknown, “Mazel Tov! It’s a boy!” At 1. Available online at
http://www.circlist.com/rites/bris.html. Accessed on 27 August 2006.
38
Ibid at 1.