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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Echoing the poster at 16:46, if your son ever decides to convert to Judaism, he will need to be circumcised. Needless to say, it's a much more complicated and painful procedure when done on an adult. If you want to ensure your son is able to meaningfully choose between his two cultures later in his life, you should circumcise him as an infant (when the procedure is quick and mostly pain-free).

Also note that in reality, men are able to convert to Judaism much more easily than women--especially men of patrilineal Jewish descent. That's partially due to the huge gender imbalance in those seeking to convert, with prospective female converts vastly outnumbering prospective male converts. It is a good idea to keep your son's options open, especially given his favorable position vis a vis conversion.[/quote]

This is so gross. I imagine this attitude has no basis on Jewish tradition and arose out of practicality. This is also the reason that OP is treated poorly amongst the Jewish. I can't think of a less compelling reason to get the circumcision. Yuck. Just yuck.[/quote]

OP here. Yeah, I had a bit of a WTF moment reading that post too! I mean fine, do it to go with the flow of your culture or what not -- rituals aren't rational. But when it comes to adult conversion it is just so weird that he'd have to cut off part of his penis to join the religion. I get living your life a certain way, joining a community, exploring beliefs.[b] But what in the world does trimming his foreskin have to do with the kind of person he is?[/b] As I said upthread, have no idea who my son will be, but I very much hope he won't end up thinking that who he is depends on a flap of skin. That is really besides the point, also of anything I have found profound or attractive about Jewish thought and culture.[/quote][/quote]

In the case of Jewish parents (by birth or choice) with a Jewish son, it is a question of the kind of person the parents are - not the kind of person the child is. IE are they the kind who follow Jewish law and tradition or not?  There are plenty of articles on the spiritual meaning of this particular mitzvah, as for many others, but it seems kind of pointless to repeat them for someone NOT obligated by the tradition to follow it.

Its what PP said - you don't want to do it, so don't. No one in the Jewish community cares - other than maybe your DH, and we cannot speak for him. This is about you and him, and I am uncomfortable with your issue with him making this a hook to discuss the meaning of bris mileh for traditional Jews. [/quote]

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