בס׳ד

"Where does it say that you have a contract with G-d to have an easy life?"

the Lubavitcher Rebbe



"Failure is not the enemy of success; it is its prerequisite."

Rabbi Nosson Scherman



24 Aug 2009

Torah versus science

This morning, I came across an article about circumcision.
"Public health officials are considering promoting routine circumcision for all baby boys born in the United States to reduce the spread of H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS....
...Circumcision rates have fallen in part because the American Academy of Pediatrics, which sets the guidelines for infant care, does not endorse routine circumcision. Its policy says that circumcision is “not essential to the child’s current well-being,” and as a result, many state Medicaid
programs do not cover the operation.
The academy is revising its guidelines, however, and is likely to do away with the neutral tone in favor of a more encouraging policy stating that circumcision has health benefits even beyond H.I.V. prevention, like reducing urinary tract infections for baby boys, said Dr. Michael Brady, a consultant to the American Academy of Pediatrics
."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/24/health/policy/24circumcision.html?_r=1&hp


I was struck by the Academy's waffling on the subject. Yes-No. In other words, every few years, someone comes up with a different opinion about the subject. In contrast, the Mitzvah of circumcision was commanded in the Torah for all generations. It is immutable and not subject to change according to man's opinion or social mores.

In Breishit (Genesis) chapter 17, G-d tells Abraham about the mitzvah of "Brit" - circumcision, "I will make My covenant between Me and you... You shall keep My covenant, you and your children after you in all their generations." The word "covenant" ("Brit") is mentioned 13 times in connection with this mitzvah!
Our sages say, "From this we see the greatness of the mitzvah of circumcision, for thirteen covenants are associated with this mitzvah." The mitzvah of circumcision is not for health reasons. The discussion whether circumcision is physically beneficial for the child is irrelevant and has nothing to do with this mitzvah. The "Brit" is purely for spiritual reasons, as the Torah tells us, "And My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting sign. (Gen. 17:13)"
http://www.geocities.com/jewish_27/brit.html

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