Sunday, December 11th 2011
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Film: Quest for the Missing Piece
Discussion with Mohel, Dr. Jeffrey
Rabinovitz
Of the three
primary covenants (Brit) in the Torah: Rainbow, Shabbat, Circumcision, it is
the third that has caused the greatest controversy. No one has problems with G-d promising not to
destroy the world and affirming it with the magical spread of color after a
heavy storm. Taking time for weekly
R&R, who can really disagree with that suggestion? However, when it comes
to the brit of circumcision, commitment has not only waned, it has been
attacked.
While we
know from the Torah that a Jewish male infant is brought into the covenant of
Judaism through Brit Milah on the 8th day of life, not surprisingly,
early Christianity released the commandment of this ritual, as well as keeping
Kosher, undoubtedly due to these practices being too challenging to sell as
necessities to non-Jewish audiences.
And yet,
while Jews and then, later, Moslems adhered to the covenant of circumcision,
the controversy today against it is rising. Recently, San Francisco nearly had
the issue of banning circumcision on their ballot, and you may be surprised to
know that a vocal organization called "Jews against Circumcision” exists,
adamant that the ancient covenant is barbaric.At the same time, these opponents of the practice also suggest it may
cause color-blindness as well as numbers of other psychological and medical
problems.
On the other
hand, some medical experts tell us that circumcision prevents infection in
adult life, and studies have recommended it as a way to reduce the incidence of
AIDS. Rabbinic sources also suggest the symbolism of brit milah as a permanent
mark of responsibility and even restraint.
However you
see it, circumcision is an issue of Jewish Religious Practice. As such we are
presenting a special program on Circumcision in the 21st century
with a documentary film and guest Mohel.
Quest for the Missing
Piece
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This 2007 documentary explores the
tradition of circumcision. Director Oded Lotan searches for the small piece
of himself that's missing because of this ancient practice, mining his
personal feelings about the ritual along the way. Lotan traces the history of
circumcision from its origins to its contemporary practice and examines the
attitudes of Israelis about the tradition today.
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Following the showing of this
documentary, we will discuss trends ofBrit Milah with Mohel, Dr. Jeffrey Rabinovitz.
Shalom,
