- A Bris Milah, sometimes referred to as Brit Milah, or ritual circumcision, is one of the most fundamental and important Mitzvos (commandments) of the Jewish religion.
- In the Torah, Bris Milah is referred to as the covenant of Abraham. G-D gave the mitzvah of Bris Milah directly to Abraham as an eternal covenant signifying the special relationship between G-D, Abraham and his descendants for all time. As it states in Genesis 17:12“And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations”
ובן שמונת ימים ימול לכם כל זכר לדורותיכם
- More than any other Jewish ritual, Bris Milah is an expression of Jewish identity and creates an enduring link that connects the child to the Jewish nation.
- Talmudic and Kabbalistic sources speak about the tremendous spiritual benefit bestowed upon those who receive a proper Bris Milah.
- Medical research as well, has demonstrated numerous health benefits of circumcision including:
- Reduction in urinary tract infections[1][2]
- Reduction of penile cancer[3]
- Easier and improved hygiene[4]
- Reduction in penile inflammatory and retractile disorders[5]
- Reduction of many sexually transmitted infections including HIV, HPV, HSV-2[6]
[1] Shaikh, N., Morone, N. E., Bost, J. E., & Farrell, M. H. (2008). Prevalence of urinary tract infection in childhood: a meta-analysis. The Pediatric infectious disease journal, 4, 302–308
[2] Singh-Grewal, D., Macdessi, J., & Craig, J. (2005). Circumcision for the prevention of urinary tract infection in boys: a systematic review of randomized trials and observational studies. Archives of disease in childhood, 8, 853–858.
[3] Larke, N. L., Thomas, S. L., dos Santos Silva, I., & Weiss, H. A. (2011). Male circumcision and penile cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer causes & control : CCC, 8, 1097–1110.
[4] Krueger, H., & Osborn, L. (1986). Effects of hygiene among the uncircumcised. The Journal of family practice, 4, 353–355.
[5] Mallon, E., Hawkins, D., Dinneen, M., Francics, N., Fearfield, L., Newson, R., & Bunker, C. (2000). Circumcision and genital dermatoses. Archives of dermatology, 3, 350–354.
[6] Mehta, S. D., Moses, S., Parker, C. B., Agot, K., Maclean, I., & Bailey, R. C. (2012). Circumcision status and incident herpes simplex virus type 2 infection, genital ulcer disease, and HIV infection. AIDS (London, England), 9, 1141–1149.
