Cold Spaghetti

We attended our first circumcision on Friday. (Well, technically Paul’s second. First for Will and I.)

As I generally fall in the category against circumcision, I was very curious and interested in taking part in a circumcision based not on looking like Dad (read: monkey-see-monkey-do) and contested medical research (read: ways to boost hospital bills), but in religion. I prepared for the event by reading up on a few websites and was surprised at how little I really knew about Judaism. There are a ton of rules regarding covenant of circumcision (brit = covenant; milah = circumcision — also called “bris” which also means covenant, in the Ashkenazic pronunciation). One of the more interesting: brit milah must occur on the 8th day of life — even if this day falls on the Shabbat (holy day of rest) or on a holiday (even Yom Kippur) — *except* if the baby is born by cesearan, in which case, Saturdays and holidays are out.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. The baby was brought to a group of special folks (sort of godparents) and given wine in the biggest dropper I’ve ever seen. (I figured this was a good thing, considering what was coming.) The family gathered around with digital cameras at every level — this was a surprise to me, people *really* wanted in to see the procedure! The baby cried at the start (maybe from the coldness of being exposed) but there was no wail or cry after the cut (like I expected there would be). Then the baby was nursed and the actual ceremony began. It was really nice, filled with tears, and included the naming of the baby in honor of those passed. Then there was music (Klezmer Band! awesome!) and some dancing and singing.

In short, I thought it was absolutely great. I’m still not convinced that circumcision is a great thing (in fact, some rabbi’s are advocating for brit without milah) but I love the fact that the entire family gathers and shares in the birth of a child through this tradition. It was like a big celebration introducing a child to both his past (family and tradition) and future as a member of the jewish faith. From a maternal child health perspective, I had some questions (e.g.: are planned c-sections higher in the Jewish community so that brit milah dates are pre-determined for the convenience of traveling family members?) But all in all, I feel that if a child is going to be circumcised, this is totally the way to do it. I feel really honored that we were asked to attend such a special event!