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Circumcision

[Hebrew, brit mila = covenant of circumcision] - A ritual during which the prepuce is removed, a symbol of the covenant between God and Abraham (Book of Genesis, 17:11). Through circumcision, a boy is given into the care of God, by which he also was also protected from punishment after death and became wholly human. It is one of the oldest and most enduring Jewish traditions. Circumcision is done when the baby is eight days old, in synagogue or at home. This date can only be postponed if the child is ill. Circumcision is also required of all men wishing to convert to Judaism, regardless of age.
The procedure is done by a mohel-a man with the appropriate skills, often a doctor or ritual slaughterer, the shoychet. The baby is held by a sandak-a man known for his devoutness, often a rabbi or relative. It is believed that the prophet Elijah takes part in the ceremony, for whom there is a second chair, next to that of the sandak. After the circumcision, the father says a blessing, followed by the mohel, who publicly utters the name of the child for the first time; most often, the child is named for his dead ancestors. Among the Ashkenazim, the kvater (godfather) and kvaterin (godmother) take part; they bring the child in and hand it to the mohel. It was often childless couples who performed this role, in the belief that this would bring them children. Circumcision is now often done in hospitals in the presence of a rabbi and doctor. Circumcision is also practiced by Muslims (at the age of thirteen), and in some African tribes.
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