by Daniel Eisenberg, M.D.
Why should circumcision be the sign of the covenant between the Jews and God?
Dear Dr. Eisenberg: Someone told me that Jews believe that an infant doesn't become fully human until the eighth day after birth, hence the timing of circumcision. Would you please comment on this?
B.D. University of Texas
Dear B.D,
A fetus in utero lacks only one degree of "full humanity" in that its life is subordinated to that of the mother if the fetus presents a threat to the mother's life (See "Abortion in Jewish Law"). However, a baby is considered to be a full-fledged human being from the moment of birth.[1] Nevertheless, the baby does not have a "chazaka", or assumption, that it will survive long-term until it has reached the age of 30 days. For this reason, a baby who dies within 30 days is comparable to a stillborn baby and there is limited mourning in such a case.
While Jews perform the circumcisions of their sons on the eighth day because the Torah commands it, there are multiple reasons given for why the bris mila (circumcision ceremony) is performed on the eighth day.[2] None of these reasons are related ...   more »