Longer foreskin is favored: Difference between revisions

Line 88:

[[Circumcised]] Jewish men encountered significant issues when they tried to blend into Greek society.

Key features of Hellenistic culture were athletic exercises in gymnasia and athletic performances in public arenas, where men appeared in the nude. While the [[penis]] sheathed in an [[intact]] foreskin was normal and acceptable, ancient Greeks and their Hellenistic successors considered the [[circumcised]] penis to be offensive, as it was perceived as a vulgar imitation of [[erection]], unfit for public display. The ancient Greeks and their Hellenistic successors considered the "ideal prepuce" to be long, tapered, and "well-proportioned." Removing it was considered [[mutilation]]. Men with a short [[foreskin]], a condition known as ''lypodermos'', would wear a leather cord called a ''kynodesme'' to prevent its accidental exposure.<ref name="hodges2001" />

Key features of Hellenistic culture were athletic exercises in gymnasia and athletic performances in public arenas, where men appeared in the nude. While the [[penis]] sheathed in an [[intact]] foreskin was normal and acceptable, ancient Greeks and their Hellenistic successors considered the [[circumcised]] penis to be offensive, as it was perceived as a vulgar imitation of [[erection]], unfit for public display. The ancient Greeks and their Hellenistic successors considered the "ideal prepuce" to be long, tapered, and "well-proportioned." Removing it was considered [[mutilation]]. Men with a short [[foreskin]], a condition known as ''lypodermos'', would wear a leather cord called a ''kynodesme'' to prevent its accidental exposure.<ref name="hodges2001" /> <ref>{{REFweb

|url=https://acroposthion.com/foreskin-restoration-2/

|title=Foreskin restoration

|last=Anonymous

|first=

|init=

|author-link=

|publisher=Acroposthion

|date=

|accessdate=2025-06-11

}}</ref>

The sight of [[circumcised]] genitals at public baths or gymnasia would inspire laughter and ridicule. Jewish men, who wished to gain acceptance in the larger social world and needed a full-length [[foreskin]] to cover their [[glans penis]], gave themselves a presentable appearance by pulling the remaining [[foreskin]] forward as far as possible, and keeping it under enough tension to encourage permanent [[stretching]] toward its original length. Using a fibular pin or a cord, they pierced the front of the remaining foreskin, drew it forward, and fixed it in place; sometimes they would attach a weight to maintain tension. Over time the foreskin ~~stretched~~ and restored at least some of the appearance of an [[intact]] organ.<ref name="glick2005" /> and [[epispasm]] was invented. Up until the 2th century, [[Jewish circumcision]] involved only partial foreskin removal.

The sight of [[circumcised]] genitals at public baths or gymnasia would inspire laughter and ridicule. Jewish men, who wished to gain acceptance in the larger social world and needed a full-length [[foreskin]] to cover their [[glans penis]], gave themselves a presentable appearance by pulling the remaining [[foreskin]] forward as far as possible, and keeping it under enough tension to encourage permanent [[stretching]] toward its original length. Using a fibular pin or a cord, they pierced the front of the remaining foreskin, drew it forward, and fixed it in place; sometimes they would attach a weight to maintain tension. Over time the foreskin [[tissue expansion| expanded]] and restored at least some of the appearance of an [[intact]] organ.<ref name="glick2005" /> and [[epispasm]] was invented. Up until the 2th century, [[Jewish circumcision]] involved only partial foreskin removal.

===Jewish response to epispasm===

Rabbis of the second century responded to the practice of epispasm to increase the injury by mandating ''[[Periah| peri’ah]]'' to change Jewish circumcision, or the complete ablation of the [[foreskin]] in order to prevent Jewish men from engaging in [[foreskin restoration]].<ref name="glick2005" />

It is clear that the [[circumcised]] Jewish men of antiquity needed a long, full-length [[foreskin]] to function in Greek society. It is not clear what other advantages may have been found.

Rabbis of the second century responded to the practice of epispsam to increase the injury by mandating ''[[Periah| peri’ah]]'' to change Jewish circumcision, or the complete ablation of the [[foreskin]] in order to prevent Jewish men from engaging in [[foreskin restoration]].<ref name="glick2005" />

~~It is clear that the [[circumcised]] Jewish men of antiquity needed a long, full-length [[foreskin]] to function in Greek society. It is not clear what other advantages may have been found.~~

==Modern times==

* [[Epispasm]]

@@ Line 88: / Line 88: @@
 [[Circumcised]] Jewish men encountered significant issues when they tried to blend into Greek society.
-Key features of Hellenistic culture were athletic exercises in gymnasia and athletic performances in public arenas, where men appeared in the nude. While the [[penis]] sheathed in an [[intact]] foreskin was normal and acceptable, ancient Greeks and their Hellenistic successors considered the [[circumcised]] penis to be offensive, as it was perceived as a vulgar imitation of [[erection]], unfit for public display. The ancient Greeks and their Hellenistic successors considered the "ideal prepuce" to be long, tapered, and "well-proportioned." Removing it was considered [[mutilation]]. Men with a short [[foreskin]], a condition known as ''lypodermos'', would wear a leather cord called a ''kynodesme'' to prevent its accidental exposure.<ref name="hodges2001" />
+Key features of Hellenistic culture were athletic exercises in gymnasia and athletic performances in public arenas, where men appeared in the nude. While the [[penis]] sheathed in an [[intact]] foreskin was normal and acceptable, ancient Greeks and their Hellenistic successors considered the [[circumcised]] penis to be offensive, as it was perceived as a vulgar imitation of [[erection]], unfit for public display. The ancient Greeks and their Hellenistic successors considered the "ideal prepuce" to be long, tapered, and "well-proportioned." Removing it was considered [[mutilation]]. Men with a short [[foreskin]], a condition known as ''lypodermos'', would wear a leather cord called a ''kynodesme'' to prevent its accidental exposure.<ref name="hodges2001" /> <ref>{{REFweb
+ |url=https://acroposthion.com/foreskin-restoration-2/
+ |title=Foreskin restoration
+ |last=Anonymous
+ |first=
+ |init=
+ |author-link=
+ |publisher=Acroposthion
+ |date=
+ |accessdate=2025-06-11
+}}</ref>
-The sight of [[circumcised]] genitals at public baths or gymnasia would inspire laughter and ridicule. Jewish men, who wished to gain acceptance in the larger social world and needed a full-length [[foreskin]] to cover their [[glans penis]], gave themselves a presentable appearance by pulling the remaining [[foreskin]] forward as far as possible, and keeping it under enough tension to encourage permanent [[stretching]] toward its original length. Using a fibular pin or a cord, they pierced the front of the remaining foreskin, drew it forward, and fixed it in place; sometimes they would attach a weight to maintain tension. Over time the foreskin stretched and restored at least some of the appearance of an [[intact]] organ.<ref name="glick2005" /> and [[epispasm]] was invented. Up until the 2th century, [[Jewish circumcision]] involved only partial foreskin removal.
+The sight of [[circumcised]] genitals at public baths or gymnasia would inspire laughter and ridicule. Jewish men, who wished to gain acceptance in the larger social world and needed a full-length [[foreskin]] to cover their [[glans penis]], gave themselves a presentable appearance by pulling the remaining [[foreskin]] forward as far as possible, and keeping it under enough tension to encourage permanent [[stretching]] toward its original length. Using a fibular pin or a cord, they pierced the front of the remaining foreskin, drew it forward, and fixed it in place; sometimes they would attach a weight to maintain tension. Over time the foreskin [[tissue expansion| expanded]] and restored at least some of the appearance of an [[intact]] organ.<ref name="glick2005" /> and [[epispasm]] was invented. Up until the 2th century, [[Jewish circumcision]] involved only partial foreskin removal.
+===Jewish response to epispasm===
+Rabbis of the second century responded to the practice of epispasm to increase the injury by mandating ''[[Periah| peri’ah]]'' to change Jewish circumcision, or the complete ablation of the [[foreskin]] in order to prevent Jewish men from engaging in [[foreskin restoration]].<ref name="glick2005" />
+It is clear that the [[circumcised]] Jewish men of antiquity needed a long, full-length [[foreskin]] to function in Greek society. It is not clear what other advantages may have been found.
-Rabbis of the second century responded to the practice of epispsam to increase the injury by mandating ''[[Periah| peri’ah]]'' to change Jewish circumcision, or the complete ablation of the [[foreskin]] in order to prevent Jewish men from engaging in [[foreskin restoration]].<ref name="glick2005" />
-It is clear that the [[circumcised]] Jewish men of antiquity needed a long, full-length [[foreskin]] to function in Greek society. It is not clear what other advantages may have been found.
 ==Modern times==
 {{SEEALSO}}
 * [[Epispasm]]
 {{REF}}