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Religious Liberty

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Jul 082012
 
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Religious liberty: Obeying a higher court

Photo: Cheskel Dovid

Late last month a German court banned circumcision of young boys – even for religious purposes. Last year, the City of San Francisco briefly had a circumcision ban on the ballot before a judge forced its removal from consideration.

But Genesis 17:11-12 commands us:

You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin and that shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. And throughout the generations, every mal among you shall be circumcised at the age of eight days.

Jews continue to circumcise our sons on the eighth day as we have since the time God commanded Abraham. Even in the darkest times in Jewish history – through crusades, expulsions, and inquisitions – and in the darkest places – in ghettos and death camps – we have followed this commandment. Rabbi Ephraim Oshry, a Lithuanian rabbi who survived the Holocaust and was able to write down and recover his answers to the horrifying, painful Jewish legal questions that arose in the ghettos and the camps, published a book called Responsa from the Holocaust.  In it, among the heart-rending stories, he tells of a woman who asked if she could circumcise her son before the eighth day because, though he was born healthy, she knew she could not keep him warm and nourished enough to live out a full week.

Leaving aside the disgraceful imagery of a German court (of all countries) attempting to impose such a ban, those who would try to stop Jews from circumcising our sons should understand that our people have performed the commandment of milah (ritual circumcision) in far worse conditions than under threat from a court.

Author: Rabbi Jonathan Greenberg | July 6, 2012

What do you think?

  • Denis
    July 6, 2012
    2:36 pm
    Nazi-ism certainly is on the rise again – in Germany. Will they never learn?
    Reply to this comment »
  • Aliza
    July 6, 2012
    2:29 pm
    I think that German need to butt off and not control anybody, especially the jews. Even the Christian are circumcised. What’s the different? I think that German and Iran needs to shake hands.
    Reply to this comment »
    • Margaret
      July 6, 2012
      3:04 pm
      I am not surprised about anything the Germans or any enemy of the cross of Christ do. God’s word has prepared us for much worse and it is coming right at us. We just need to study it in more detail.The Enemy is very busy and when we cannot be reached in one way, then it tries the other. Hold fast. Jesus is coming soon. God Bless the people of Israel. Love.
      Reply to this comment »
    • Debra
      July 6, 2012
      3:09 pm
      Germany and Iran shook hands before and during the Holocaust, so it wouldn’t be the first time.
      Reply to this comment »
  • Bonnie
    July 6, 2012
    1:39 pm
    The Government, needs to back off! They are WAY over-stepping their boundaries when their DICTATING how to raise our children! America is just as bad-if not worse! Government is to be subject and submitted to God…not trying to be God!!! The Peoples in this case, are going to obey God! Hands down…I would too. Even though through Jesus, circumcision is no longer necessary, but circumcision I think is good anyways-Just ignorant and way out there!!! Shame on Germany period! I am only sorry I have German blood most of the time. Thank-you LORD that the precious blood of Jesus takes away the sin of the world… We only need to ask Jesus to forgive our sins, and come into our Hearts to live within us. He is a gentle, loving, caring more than all-God!!! Jesus you are all in all and everything good and just!
    Reply to this comment »
  • fran
    July 6, 2012
    1:33 pm
    I am embarassed for the German’s and for thei court. Who or what got to these Justices and why was there a ruling anyway. Did somebody sue. Better a circucision after 8 days than the Moslem 13 years.
    Reply to this comment »
  • Tom
    July 6, 2012
    1:22 pm
    Men are healthier when circumcised. Blood coagulates on the 8th day better than any other time of life. Circumcision prevents smegma (sp). The wives of circumcised husbands have far less cervical and uterin cancers. What more can you ask for. Obey God! It’s always best.
    Reply to this comment »
    • Bonnie
      July 6, 2012
      1:41 pm
      Well said!!! I truly did not know about the Cancer-yes, always better to obey God! Great post! God bless you…
      Reply to this comment »
  • JON
    July 6, 2012
    1:20 pm
    i continue to learn more and more about the ways of G_d and i am stunned at the beaty and infinate wisdom hidden in this ritual. i would definately defy any decision against it! a german court is again on the wrong side of our creator. does germany shake its fist at the all mighty??
    Reply to this comment »
  • Katie
    July 6, 2012
    1:16 pm
    The Gentiles circumcise too. My family does it!! I remember when my little brother, who is 11 years younger than me, was born, and I asked what’s circumcision? So, I learned at an early age. Katie.
    Reply to this comment »
  • Noreen
    July 6, 2012
    1:15 pm
    But he is a Jew, who is one inwardly; and circumcission is that of the heart, inthe Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but that of God,(Romans2:29). 1 corinthians7:19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.
    Reply to this comment »
    • fran
      July 6, 2012
      1:54 pm
      I am sure you are quoting correctly but our Halacha is to circumcize the foreskin on the boys 8th day and that is our covenant which we follow
      Reply to this comment »
    • Denis
      July 6, 2012
      2:34 pm
      Yes, obeying the commandment is what matters, and Genesis 17, 11-12 is that commandment. Further your greek/westernised interpretation of Paul`s teaching on this matter is wrong. Allgentiles have misunderstood what paul was aiming at here. Paul never, repeat never forbade or disobeyed the shomering of Torah!.
      Reply to this comment »
  • Deborah
    July 6, 2012
    12:51 pm
    the Government should not be able to make that decision for anyone….
    Reply to this comment »
  • Robert
    July 6, 2012
    12:35 pm
    Although governments may pass laws as they deem proper, a free society must respect harmless religious convictions. God’s moral law will always trump human laws. This decision is a travesty.
    Reply to this comment »
  • thomas
    July 6, 2012
    12:34 pm
    maybe we should all get together and ban all courts from interfering with our contitutional rights,and our god given rights,any court that goes against us is in judgement by god himself.
    Reply to this comment »
  • Bill
    July 6, 2012
    12:27 pm
    We are told to obey the authority of those set over us. For ADONIA has set them in place to rule.having said that, we are to obey G-D over man when it is contrary to G-D’s law.Obey G-D!
    Reply to this comment »
  • Anna
    July 6, 2012
    12:25 pm
    Utterly wrong to impose a ban. I hope and pray that there will be sufficient outcry to cause these misguided people to reverse their decision.
    Reply to this comment »
  • sandra
    July 6, 2012
    12:22 pm
    The German Court should mind their own business! What gives them the right to dictate to Jews on the matter of circumcision. It’s simply none of their business!
    Reply to this comment »
  • Patricia
    July 6, 2012
    12:17 pm
    Obey God rather than men.If Jews succumb to this threat from an earthly court it will be the beginning of the undermining of your faith.
    Reply to this comment »
  • Mihai
    July 6, 2012
    12:14 pm
    I’m not a Jew, but the decision of that court from Germany is a brutal offense to God who orders to the Jews people to do that.
    Reply to this comment »
  • Dennis
    July 6, 2012
    12:02 pm
    Gods knowledge is far above any ignorant or sane judge.
    Reply to this comment »
  • Linda
    July 6, 2012
    12:02 pm
    I think that the Government needs to butt out – This proceedure is not just a covenant practice, but it also has tremendous health benefits to both male and female.
    Reply to this comment »

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