Circumcision

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May 15, 2025, 9:13 AM

The case for circumcision

I’m a mohel — a ritual circumciser. That means that, by its very nature, I hold one of the most controversial jobs on the market. Many other professions are more in the limelight, but few garner as much venom....

May 14, 2025, 11:02 PM

Outraged at raids targeting circumcision? Take a step back

Amid the understandable anxiety, we should also reflect on a more fundamental question: What rights do children have in all of this?

Reuven Chaim Klein

Apr 26, 2025, 11:00 PM

The Circumcisor

The Torah commands that when a Jewish boy is born, he should be circumcised on the eighth day (Lev. 12:3). The verb used in that passage to denote “circumcising” the child is yimol, and similar words for the act of...

Apr 23, 2025, 11:45 PM

Circumcision: Theology or Demonic Practice

Circumcision: Demonic Practice or Theological Covenant Yigal Bin-Nun The practice of foreskin removal likely originated in a popular belief rooted in the fear of harm caused by demons during journeys through the desert, and in the necessity of protecting uncircumcised adults...

Mar 11, 2025, 1:33 PM

When purpose finds you

When I received the midweek call for a Shabbat Bris, I didn’t feel my normal rush of excitement. For the past few months, I’ve had events away from home every other Shabbat. I felt tired and was longing for...

Feb 23, 2025, 1:29 PM

Shalom ZaChar – First Friday Night For Boys

Shalom ZaChar שלום זכר After a Jewish boy is born we get invited to a celebration on the first Friday night after his birth. This ceremony is call a Shalom Zachar שלום זכר. What is this celebration? Why do we...

Dec 11, 2024, 11:54 PM

The truth about my army service

Thursday, November 28, 2024, was an auspicious day in Israel. After 418 days of war, it was the first 24 hours without a single red alert. Not one rocket was fired by any of our enemies. In truth, I...

Sep 26, 2024, 11:09 AM

Reflections on my lightning visit to Israel

I flew to Israel on 9/11 for my new grandson’s brit mila. I mention this most widely-recognised date in recent international history only because my Qantas-codeshare Finnair flight from Sydney to Bangkok was over a third empty. I strongly suspect...

May 6, 2024, 4:02 PM

As I rocked the baby in my arms, he cried off and on. I tried every trick I knew but he wasn’t ready to sleep. And then the siren sounded

Nov 28, 2023, 12:39 AM

A Letter to my Second Son on his Bris

(courtesy)

Asher Jacob, over the last few months, so many friends have been telling me not to worry about your arrival. That the second boy is so much easier. That you don’t have to dote over him as much, worry about...

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