Part I | Circumcision - Its source in the Torah

It is written in Genesis, (17; 10-12): "This shall be the covenant that you shall keep between Me and you and your children after you: you shall circumcise all males. And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. And at eight days old you shall circumcise all males for all generations..."

Circumcision was first performed some 3,800 years ago by our forefather, Abraham, on himself, at the age of 99. Only after having been circumcised was he fit to father the Jewish nation. When his son, Isaac, was born, Abraham circumcised him on the eighth day, in accordance with G-d’s commandment to do so.

Since then, brit Milah must be performed on all Jewish baby boys, on the eighth day after birth. It can, however, be carried out after the eighth day, should medical reasons warrant postponing it. However, it cannot be done earlier than the eighth day.

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