Longer foreskin is favored

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Longer foreskin is favored, starting with the ancient Greeks,[1] by many men.

Contents

The foreskin in ancient times

According to James DeMeo (1989), male circumcision (MGM) originated in northeast Africa before the start of recorded history.[2] The Hebrews learned about circumcision durng their stay in Egypt.[3] Moses was not circumcised and did not require circumcision, however Joshua did require circumcision, so the males were circumcised when they camped at Gilgal, just west of the Jordan River.[4]

Later, chapter seventeen was inserted into Genesis to cover the institutiion of circumcision.[5]

Jewish men in Greek society

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.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8] and epispasm was invented. Up until the 2th century, Jewish circumcision involved only partial foreskin removal.

Rabbis of the 2th century responded to the practice of epispsam to increase the injury by mandating peri’ah to change Jewish circumcision, or the complete ablation of the foreskin in order to prevent Jewish men from engaging in foreskin restoration.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑   Hodges FM. The Ideal Prepuce in Ancient Greece and Rome: Male Genital Aesthetics and Their Relation to Lipodermos, Circumcision, Foreskin Restoration, and the Kynodesme. Bulletin History Med. 2001 (Fall); 75: 375-401. PMID. DOI. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  2. ↑   DeMeo J. The Geography of Genital Mutilations. The Truth Seeker. July 1989; : 9-13. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  3. ↑   Offord J. Restrictions concerning circumcision under the Romans. Proc R Soc Med. 1913; 6 (Sect Hist Med): 102-7. PMID. PMC. DOI. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  4. ↑   Anonymous (2008). Gilgal, Jewish Encyclopeda. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  5. ↑   Glick LB (2005): Chapter One, in: Marked in Your Flesh: Circumcision from Ancient Judea to Modern America. Edition: 1st. Oxford University Press. Pp. 15-18. ISBN 9780195176742. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named kennedy2015
  7. ↑   Hodges FM. The Ideal Prepuce in Ancient Greece and Rome: Male Genital Aesthetics and Their Relation to Lipodermos, Circumcision, Foreskin Restoration, and the Kynodesme. Bulletin of the History of Medicine. September 2001; 75(3): 375-405. PMID. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  8. ↑   Glick LB (2005): "This Is My Covenant", Circumcision in the World of Temple Judaism, in: Marked in Your Flesh. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. P. 31. ISBN 0-19-517674-X. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
    Quote: ...some, eager for acceptance in the larger social world, gave themselves a presentable appearance by pulling the remaining foreskin forward...
  9. ↑   Glick LB (2005): "This Is My Covenant", Circumcision in the World of Temple Judaism, in: Marked in Your Flesh. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. P. 31. ISBN 0-19-517674-X. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
    Quote: For obvious reasons this was anathema to the rabbis: tantamount to rejection of Judaism and defiance of rabbinic authority.
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