Photo: Cheskel Dovid
We blogged about this last week, but Elliott Abrams has written a terrific piece on the Norwegian official who called for Jews to develop a symbolic alternative to circumcision and other anti-Jewish problems in Scandinavian countries.
From The Weekly Standard:
It was bad enough when a judge in Germany barred circumcision, and that decision was followed by similar moves in Austria and Switzerland (and then widely attacked in Germany, by everyone from Chancellor Merkel on down). Now comes a suggestion from a Norwegian official called the “Ombudsman for Children in Norway” proposing that the ancient procedure be replaced by a “symbolic, nonsurgical ritual.” Apparently in Norway it is possible to create religiously meaningful rituals overnight, which is an insight into the understanding of religion in Norwegian public life.
What do you think?
11:18 pm
I am thinking that the ombudsman for adults in norway could propose a symbolic, non-interactive ritual for the ancient procedure of intercourse. I an tempted to say Holy Smoke, but I am not Catholic,
1:59 pm
If somebody does not believe and does not want to have their child circumcised that is their right to not do so, but it should also be the right for those who believe, to circumcise their son(s).
1:07 pm
First of all, if all westerners even so much as think about circumcision they would know, without being Jewish, that it is an extreme health issue as a # 1. Further leave religion alone.
12:22 pm
Man cannot improve on G-d’s plans. His laws are meant to protect us. Circumcision is one of his laws. Who are we to question it? I choose to be obedient to his commands. We will be held accountable.
11:52 am
The rest of the world need mind their business. If they choose not to circumcise then fine however, they have no right to impose their thoughts on those that are following ancient scripture and what is written in the Bible. This is just another way for those who are anti-semites to cause propoganda and attention. Israel is a blessed nation (land of milk and honey) and this is because the people are following the scriptures and Bible. WHAT WILL THEY COME UP WITH NEXT…
9:50 am
Brit Mila is a bond between the jewish people and his name remain forever. The jewish people survived so many catastrofic events because we have a bond. This bond nobody can destroy.
9:07 am
How far does this world think it can go to try to destroy the Jewish nation and the sacred covenants that God made with Israel? The LORD God made this “sign of the Covenant”-circumcision-with Abraham and his decendants. Which pictures that God has set the Jew apart from the Gentile world, for this purpose-tobring the Messiah into the world. I am a Gentile believer in Jesus Christ and the prophesies concerning His birth, in Bethlehem; His death on the cross to pay the sin debt of the entire human race. All for one reason, because God loves us and says “whosoever will” may come and receive Him and be assured in their heart that He is who He says He is! Until then, please don’t allow Satan steal everything that God has given unto you. Hold on to the land, the Holy Scriptures, and all the covenants and Feast Days that He has given to you–FOREVER! BLESS YOU ALL!
8:01 am
Here in the United States we celebrate our freedom and the right to be free. We have it in our constitution that there is a seperation of church and state. That didnt happen by accident but was well thought out by men who had fled Europe from persecution. The very same thing being described in this article about circumcision. Circumcision was instituted by God not men and it was a sign that those who followed this practice were setting their male children apart for a life devoted to serving and worshiping their creator. Unlike those others who chose to live a life seperated from God. Just like how Christians follow the teaching of babtism as an act of obedience to God’s teaching and as an outward symbol of their personal faith. Circumcision likewise is a proclamation of faith in their creator. Governments have no right to interfere with the free choice of worsship of God by either Christians or Jews. What we share in common is our bond of recognizing their is a supreme creator of the universe and all that exists, and that we chose to recognize him and devout our lives to him. While not all Jews recognize Jesus as God’s son they do recognize the promise of the coming Messiah. We as Christians believe in the Jewish peoples right to worship as they chose and we would never think about trying to interfere with their freedom to chose. We might share our beliefs but we would not ever try to force our beliefs on someone else! This is what the governments of those countries are doing … they are forcing their own non-beliefs in God onto the Jewish people and that is wrong.
7:49 pm
Who cares what these countries think, they will be under islamic rule soon anyway.They are to stupid to see it before their eyes
7:16 pm
Well, as followers of the one true living God,the God of Abraham,Isaac & Jacob;the God and Father of Jesus…we are called to educate “officials” wherever we are.When God commands us we are called to be obedient!
6:55 pm
It is nobody’d business if the jews circumcise their baby or not.(To them it is another excuse to get back at the jews). There is God in heaven.
5:50 pm
That should be the parents responsibilry. We don’t want governmont interfeerence…
5:25 pm
I feel, that God’s chosen race the Jews are quite entitled to carry on circumcision and this Scandinavian idea is anti-semitic and almost a throw back to the 1933-1945 period or the Bad Old Days of the Third Reich and Hitler. Shalom
5:01 pm
I think non-Jews should keep their nose out of the Jewish religious rituals. I find religous freedoms around the world being challenged by governmental powers gone amuck.
4:54 pm
Gods people were commanded by God, to Moses to establish circumcision. The act has been carried out by the authority of Gods word and no nation should defy Gods authority.
This ceremony is the proper thing to do.
God blesses those that bless His people, Israel.
4:48 pm
hard to believe, ask any women if she would rather have sex with a man circumsized or not.
4:40 pm
Throughout the world governments are enacting laws that are contrary to Jews and Christians alike, in America it is homosexuality and murder of babies, while supporting Muslims and Atheist. Any chance there might be something going on behind the scenes that we thought was impossible?
Well, it is written, so no real surprise.
3:23 pm
Brit milah, which means “covenant of circumcision,” is a Jewish ritual performed on a baby boy eight days after he is born. It involves the removal of the foreskin from the penis by a mohel, who is a person that has been trained to safely perform the procedure. Brit milah is also known by the Yiddish word “bris.” It is one of the most well-known Jewish customs and signifies the unique relationship between a Jewish boy and God. Traditionally, a baby boy is named after his bris.
The bris is also a practical medical procedure.The removal of the foreskin makes it easier to keep the penis clean and reduces the chance of infection from bodily secretions and external germs.
The bris is NOT “mutilation” and should be respected as the ancient Jewish religious tradition rooted in Holy Scripture that it is.
2:58 pm
It would be more difficult for Joseph te be recognized by his brethren these days with modifications and prohibitions on circumcision.
1:58 pm
“which is an insight into the understanding of religion in Norwegian public life.”
Isn’t that usually the case? The attackers reveal more about themselves than the victim when they malign, slander or accuse. This seems to be especially true with anti-Semitism.
1:21 pm
I believe that circumcision gives the child a cleaner penis, & is prone much less to infection than one who is not circumcised. It is every parents right, to circumcise their child or not.
12:51 pm
Easy fly to Israel get it done fly back. Just wait until one of these politicians kids get some kind of infection down there. Until they hear their kids scream. Law over fast.
Just one more idiot in power in Norway
12:27 pm
For me, it is really odd to see so much concern expressed over our circumcision practices. These people seem to have a lot of time to be concerned about things they do not understand when there are plenty for them to be concerened about in their own religions and in their countries. Why all this attention to an acient ritual documented in the Torah as the word of G-D?
12:23 pm
May the Mercy of HaShem fall upon those who believe that the Convenant ca be substituted by any other means. Circumcision is ordained and that’s it. AMEIN
12:19 pm
They are really going against God and that’s not a good place to be. It should be a personal decision- not state mandated.