Circumcision

Why Didn’t the Israelites Circumcise in the Wilderness?

Joshua circumcises the Israelites only upon their entry to the land.

Prof. Rabbi

David Frankel

Mother and Child: Postpartum Defilement and Circumcision

Dr.

Tzvi Novick

Circumcision as Purification

Is the purification ritual or spiritual?

Dr.

David Bernat

Circumcision: Is the Foreskin a Defect?

Circumcision seemingly maims the body, yet ancient Jewish and rabbinic interpretation present it as actually perfecting the body.

Dr.

David Bernat

Joshua Circumcises Israel in Response to Egypt’s Scorn

Before circumcision was a mitzvah, it was a cultural marker: Thus Joshua introduces circumcision to Israel at Gilgal (Joshua 5:2-9), Jacob’s sons insist that the Shechemites circumcise before Shechem marries their sister (Genesis 34), and the Israelites scorn the Philistines for being uncircumcised (Judges 14:3).

Prof. Rabbi

David Frankel

A Murderous Bridegroom

Dr.

Serge Frolov

Abraham as the Great (Un)Circumciser

A Surprising Midrashic Portrait of Abraham

Dr.

Malka Z. Simkovich

Baby Naming: Biblical Rites and Mother’s Rights

Who gets to name the child? Priestly and non-Priestly texts give two different answers.

Dr. Hacham