Occasionally I get a call or email from a
non-Jewish family asking me if I would perform a circumcision for their
son. In all honesty, I'm not that comfortable with it, and I usually
politely decline, as the message of the bris as a uniquely Jewish
covenant is very meaningful to me. However, it is permissible according
to Jewish law, so it's one of those things in my life that I'm still
struggling with. It doesn't come up too often, and I don't yet have a
definite, final position on the subject yet. As of now, it's been a
case-by-case situation, and I've performed a handful of of these
procedures over the years.
This week I agreed to perform one such procedure for a couple in Medina Township. In order to differentiate from a Jewish bris, we performed this procedure after the 8th day, and after sundown. I arrived at the parents' home, and found a really nice, wholesome family (parents, grandparents and uncle) waiting to witness what they considered to be an important Biblical ritual, followed by their own personal prayers and blessings for the well-being of their child, grandchild and nephew.
Before I left, one of the grandmothers came over to me, and in a heartfelt and emotional voice made a comment that I hope to remember for the rest of my life: "Rabbi, do you know why we wanted you to perform the circumcision? Because we believe that whoever touches the Jews, touches the apple of G-d's eye!"
Wow, talk about a powerful reminder about our national mission in life to create a more peaceful and spiritual world. I was both inspired and humbled by her words, and I hope that I never forget them!
Shabbat Shalom!
