Religion and culture: Difference between revisions

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=== Judaism ===

Of all of the commandments in [[Judaism]], the [[Brit Milah| brit milah]] (literally, [[Abrahamic covenant| Covenant of Circumcision]]) is probably the one most universally observed. It is commonly referred to as a bris (covenant, using the Ashkenazic pronunciation). Even the most secular of Jews, who observe no other part of Judaism, almost always observes this tradition.<ref>{{REFweb

Of all of the commandments in [[Judaism]], the [[Brit Milah| brit milah]] (literally, [[Abrahamic covenant| Covenant of Circumcision]]) is probably the one most universally observed. It is commonly referred to as a bris (covenant, using the Ashkenazic pronunciation). Even the most secular of Jews, who observe no other part of [[Judaism]], almost always observes this tradition.<ref>{{REFweb

|url=http://www.jewfaq.org/birth.htm

|title=Jew FAQ "Birth"

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:''"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh. (Lev. 19:28)''

Halacha provides for the ceremony of hatifat dam berit (shedding of a token drop of blood) for babies who can not be circumcised due to health reasons. This is deemed to be completely valid in marking the Covenant. <ref name="Britshalom">{{REFweb

Halacha provides for the ceremony of hatifat dam berit (shedding of a token drop of blood) for babies who can not be [[circumcised]] due to health reasons. This is deemed to be completely valid in marking the Covenant. <ref name="Britshalom">{{REFweb

|url=http://www.jewsagainstcircumcision.org/

|title=Jews Against Circumcision, Brit Shalom

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Further, being [[circumcised]] is not a condition of being Jewish. Girls do not need to be circumcised to receive the gifts of covenant, i.e., receiving bat-mitzva. A boy is considered to be Jewish if his mother is Jewish from the moment he is born. In fact:

* A boy may be excused from circumcision permanently if his health would be endangered by it (for example, hemophilia).

* A boy may be excused from [[circumcision]] permanently if his health would be endangered by it (for example, hemophilia).

* Jewish boys in countries where non-therapeutic circumcision is not common, such as [[Netherlands| Holland]], may be left [[intact]] and yet remain Jews in good standing.

* In [[Sweden]], 60% of Jewish boys are intact.

* In [[Sweden]], 60% of Jewish boys are [[intact]].

* Many Soviet Jews, left intact for fear of communist persecution, have chosen to remain so, even though communism no longer exists.

* Many Soviet Jews, left [[intact]] for fear of communist persecution, have chosen to remain so, even though communism no longer exists.

* Some Jewish parents are electing to have a non-cutting, harmless naming ceremony, frequently called "[[Brit Shalom]]" instead of a ritual circumcision.

* Contrary to popular opinions, an [[intact]] boy may have a Bar Mitzvah. As one rabbi simply put it, “We don’t check.”

@@ Line 168: / Line 168: @@
 === Judaism ===
-Of all of the commandments in [[Judaism]], the [[Brit Milah| brit milah]] (literally, [[Abrahamic covenant| Covenant of Circumcision]]) is probably the one most universally observed. It is commonly referred to as a bris (covenant, using the Ashkenazic pronunciation). Even the most secular of Jews, who observe no other part of Judaism, almost always observes this tradition.<ref>{{REFweb
+Of all of the commandments in [[Judaism]], the [[Brit Milah| brit milah]] (literally, [[Abrahamic covenant| Covenant of Circumcision]]) is probably the one most universally observed. It is commonly referred to as a bris (covenant, using the Ashkenazic pronunciation). Even the most secular of Jews, who observe no other part of [[Judaism]], almost always observes this tradition.<ref>{{REFweb
   |url=http://www.jewfaq.org/birth.htm
   |title=Jew FAQ "Birth"
@@ Line 179: / Line 179: @@
 :''"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh. (Lev. 19:28)''
-Halacha provides for the ceremony of hatifat dam berit (shedding of a token drop of blood) for babies who can not be circumcised due to health reasons. This is deemed to be completely valid in marking the Covenant. <ref name="Britshalom">{{REFweb
+Halacha provides for the ceremony of hatifat dam berit (shedding of a token drop of blood) for babies who can not be [[circumcised]] due to health reasons. This is deemed to be completely valid in marking the Covenant. <ref name="Britshalom">{{REFweb
   |url=http://www.jewsagainstcircumcision.org/
   |title=Jews Against Circumcision, Brit Shalom
@@ Line 188: / Line 188: @@
 Further, being [[circumcised]] is not a condition of being Jewish. Girls do not need to be circumcised to receive the gifts of covenant, i.e., receiving bat-mitzva. A boy is considered to be Jewish if his mother is Jewish from the moment he is born. In fact:
-* A boy may be excused from circumcision permanently if his health would be endangered by it (for example, hemophilia).
+* A boy may be excused from [[circumcision]] permanently if his health would be endangered by it (for example, hemophilia).
 * Jewish boys in countries where non-therapeutic circumcision is not common, such as [[Netherlands| Holland]], may be left [[intact]] and yet remain Jews in good standing.
-* In [[Sweden]], 60% of Jewish boys are intact.
+* In [[Sweden]], 60% of Jewish boys are [[intact]].
-* Many Soviet Jews, left intact for fear of communist persecution, have chosen to remain so, even though communism no longer exists.
+* Many Soviet Jews, left [[intact]] for fear of communist persecution, have chosen to remain so, even though communism no longer exists.
 * Some Jewish parents are electing to have a non-cutting, harmless naming ceremony, frequently called "[[Brit Shalom]]" instead of a ritual circumcision.
 * Contrary to popular opinions, an [[intact]] boy may have a Bar Mitzvah. As one rabbi simply put it, “We don’t check.”