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What is the Torah source for circumcision?

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Circumcision.net

  

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It is written in the Torah: "This is My covenant that you shall observe between Me and you and your children after you, to circumcise your every male. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall become the sign of a covenant between Me and you".1

This is the only commandment of the Torah called "the sign of a covenant" between God and the Jewish people. In fact, the Torah mentions the word "Brit" (Heb. covenant) 13 times in connection with circumcision, which is why the word "Brit" (which actually means covenant) has become synonymous with "circumcision".

The covenant between G-d and the Jewish people is so profound and significant that the circumcision is performed at the earliest possible time in a person's life. The Torah tells us that this is on the eighth day after birth.2

Copied with permission from www.circumcision.net.

Footnotes

  • 1. Genesis. 17:10-11.
  • 2. Leviticus 12:3

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RELATED CATEGORIES

Life Cycle » Circumcision » The Brit
Torah
Torah is G–d’s teaching to man. In general terms, we refer to the Five Books of Moses as “The Torah.” But in truth, all Jewish beliefs and laws are part of the Torah.
Brit
[Lit. Covenant] Circumcision. The act of removing ones foreskin 8 days after birth, perpetuating a covenant with G-d originally established by the Patriarch Abraham.
G-d
It is forbidden to erase or deface the name of G-d. It is therefore customary to insert a dash in middle of G-d's name, allowing us to erase or discard the paper it is written on if necessary.