Circumcising male Jewish babies is one of the cornerstones of the Jewish faith and people. The tradition began when God appeared to Abraham when he was 99 years old and established an everlasting covenant with him, symbolized by the commandment to “circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. And throughout the generations, every male among you shall be circumcised at the age of eight days.”

Ever since, for almost 4,000 years, healthy, Jewish male babies have been circumcised in a ceremony called a “bris” meaning covenant, initiating them into the Jewish faith.

Now circumcision is not without controversy and Jews have been accused of everything from being prudes who want to ruin sex to abuse and even genital mutilation. So let’s set the record straight:

Firstly, approximately 80% of American men are circumcised today due to advice from medical experts, explaining that removing the foreskin can prevent the risk of contraction and spread of STIs. In fact, many African countries have adopted the procedure to help stop the transmission of HIV.

Studies have also shown that removing the foreskin of the penis has no effect on future sexual function and does not lessen sensation, duration, or enjoyment.

But what’s behind the meaning behind this ritual? How does cutting off the foreskin mark our relationship with God?

Chassidic thought explains that the point of us being here on earth is to elevate everything around us, including ourselves. Unlike other religions, Judaism does not condemn our imperfect human nature, rather embraces and acknowledges it, encouraging us to struggle with and overcome it. We are taught that within each of us, there is the animal and the divine- it’s up to us which will guide our actions and life path.

Historically and intrinsically, men have had a more apparent need to achieve, conquer, and dominate. When gone unchecked, male force and drive has been extremely destructive, corrosive and dangerous.

If male inner attributes had a corporeal, bodily organ- it would have to be the penis. Unlike the female genitalia, the penis is external, invasive, and known to have a mind of it’s own. In it’s natural state, the penis is neutral. But it is an extremely powerful tool  and traditionally one of holiest too- in it’s elevated state. Like everything else, the penis has the power for good and for bad. The power to degrade and abuse or the power to connect and give, literally.

Jewish circumcision has nothing to do with subduing sexuality, in fact genital mutilation is strictly forbidden. If the intent was to mitigate sexual pleasure then women would have to undergo the same practice. But the Talmud explains that women are “born circumcised,” innately more capable of channeling the divine.

So, this is the meaning behind the cut. From an early age, Jewish boys are taught that their masculinity, their drive and sexuality must be not suppressed, but optimized and uplifted. It has such enormous power that it can easily turn chaotic, damaging, & out-of-control. Removing the foreskin is a distinctive symbol to God, an oath to keep that covenant and channel masculine energy towards the divine.