Questioning Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective

by Ronald Goldman

QUESTIONING A JEWISH PERSPECTIVE is the first critical examination of the growing controversy of male infant circumcision with special attention to contemporary concerns of the Jewish community. Endorsed by five rabbis among others, this extraordinary book examines the origins, assumed benefits, risks, and unrecognized consequences of the Jewish practice with thorough documentation and moving personal experiences. Consider these Circumcision is not universal among Jews. Jewish press articles have questioned circumcision. A male child born of a Jewish mother is a Jew, whether he is circumcised or not. Jewish circumcision has never had anything to do with health concerns. Circumcision conflicts with significant Jewish laws and values. An Israeli organization publicly opposes circumcision. "Dr. Goldman has written a thoughtful, provocative book on a difficult subject. He challenges us to reexamine long-held assumptions and to reconsider the practice of milah (ritual circumcision) in light of contemporary evidence. By giving us an insightful and carefully documented exploration of a controversial perspective, Dr. Goldman helps to foster a healthy and valuable dialogue within the Jewish community." -Rabbi Jonathan Kraus, Beth El Temple Center "If you are a liberal Jew, whether you see circumcision as the sanctification of the covenant, as a ceremony marking you as a Jew, or otherwise, this book stimulates deeper reflection about the practice. As an aware, concerned, and introspective people, Jews must examine whether our rites are right. We must determine if our ceremonies, traditions, and practices reflect our innermost beliefs. Asking ourselves and each other the question 'Why?' is one of the most sacred tasks to which a modern Jew can dedicate himself or herself." -Rabbi Donald Pollock, pastoral psychotherapist, writer, and lecturer Ronald Goldman, Ph.D., a psychological researcher, educator, and writer, is the executive director of the Circumcision Resource Center in Boston, a nonprofit educational organization. He is internationally known for his work on circumcision, gives lectures and seminars on the subject, and provides consultation to expectant parents and circumcised men. As the author of The Hidden Trauma, Dr. Goldman has been a featured guest on local and national radio and television shows and has been published in medical journals, newspapers, parenting publications, and Jewish periodicals.

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Ronald Goldman, PhD is an award-winning psychologist, researcher, author, speaker, and consultant. His research includes numerous contacts with medical and mental health professionals, parents, and children. His writing has appeared in newspapers, textbooks, and professional journals. He has participated media interviews and made presentations to professionals, universities, conferences, organizations, and others. Dr. Goldman’s book is "The Empathy Evolution: Preventing Violence, Racism, Political Corruption, and Mental Illness by Creating More Caring People."

Reviews

[Vedat Hayri Adivar · Rating 5 out of 5]

According to the Council of Jewish Federations 1999 National Jewish Population Survey, "ninety percent define being Jewish as being a member of a cultural or ethnic group"...
In response to the question of why males are not born circumcised, early rabbanic Judaism explains that God created man "incomplete" so that we could finish the work of creation by circumcising...
Men who convert to Judaism must have token blood taken from the penis if they are already circumcised...
Moses failed to circumcise his son (Exod. 4:25), also Theodor Herzl did not circumcise his son in 1891...
As stated in the Encyclopedia Judaica "Circumcision is not a sacrament, and any child born of a Jewish mother is a Jew, whether circumcised or not...
Tradional mohel methods have included using sharp fingernails for cutting. Sucking blood from the cut by mouth and spitting it into a container has been done throughout the ages...
The mail is not considered perfect at birth, the male's sexual drive is inherently "evil" and requires "restraint". Circumsion serves as a 'repair of nature'...
After the circumcision there was a major change. It was like night and day. I lost most sensation...
A central purpose of Judaism is tikkun olam, the repair and healing of the world. Much of the pain in the world is the result of repeating old harmful patterns of behaviors...

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Packed full of information but much is opinion or based on anecdotes. Partially because there aren’t enough good studies of the topic. Nonetheless, this is an important book and worth a read. However, it’s poorly written and not well-developed. I’d love to see a revised, expanded, and well-edited second edition.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short, and easy to read book is packed with so much information. Everyone should read it.