The Present State of the Jews: On Circumcision

Chap. VII: Of the Rites of Circumcision and Purification

Circumcision has so peculiar a veneration among the present Jews, that if all other parts of their Religion were to be changed, this like Mount Sion, would stand immoveable. And though many other Nations (of old) and at this day the whole profession of Mahumedism, use Circumcision; yet none but the Hebrews embrace it as a Sacrament. [ . . . ]

And in the first place, the Jews of whom I now write, are very conformable in their observation of the time appointed for the celebration of Circumcision. For where they enjoy the free exercise of their Religion, they never defer it longer than the eighth day. But they Circumcise indifferently at home or the Synagogue. Though for the greater parade, the wealthier Jews seldom neglect to carry their children to the Synagogue.

The chief Officer at Circumcision is the Mohel, or he that Circumciseth, who is not bound to be of the Priest-hood; for any has liberty to Circumcise who has skill therein. The Rich admit none to perform this office upon their children, who have not been bred thereunto, and long make it their Profession. And it is usual to serve a sort of Apprenticeship to gain the Art and Credit of a skilful Mohel. To this end, those who herein intend to be Artists, deal with the indigent Jews to Circumcise their Sons, giving their Fathers money for so doing: and having gain’d a competent skill and experience, they set up for Circumcisers. Who are easily discerned to be of that Profession by their Thumb-nails, which they keep sharp and long, as a badge of their Calling. And from one of these Mohels I received this following account of Circumcision, according to the Use of the Synagogue in Fez, the place of his Practice and Abode.

The time intervening between the Childs Birth and Circumcision is spent in frequent bathing it; which with more than ordinary Circumspection is washt at the time it is presented to this Sacrament. Of which it is altogether incapable, if the least filth be left about it. So that if any natural Evacuation happen as it is brought to the Mohel, or before the Prepuce be taken away, he cannot proceed in his Office till the Child be new washed.

The morning is the usual time of Circumcising; out of this supposal, that the flux of blood is then least, and the child will be most patient: but this they do not by the advice of the Rabbi, but Physician; it being no rite of their Religion, but a rule in their Dispensatory.

Upon the day when Circumcision is celebrated, there are two Seats set close by the Ark in the Synagogue; the one for Elias, whose presence they still expect at this Solemnity; and another for the Baal Berith, or Godfather. By these two Seats stand the Mohel, and the Jews that are invited. Then the child is brought in Parade, with several boys, whereof one carries a Torch of twelve lights, denoting the twelve Tribes of Israel: another brings a dish of Sand; another the Circumcising Instrument (which is of Wood, Stone, Iron, &c.) Oyl, soft Linnen Rags. In some places they have a Cordial ready, in case the Child should faint. And when the Men in the Synagogue have sung the Song of Moses as it is extant Exod. 15. and have Notice that the Women have brought the Child to the Door of the Synagogue, the whole Company stands up, and the Baal Berith goes to receive and bring in the Child to the Congregation, who receive him with this Acclamation, Blessed is he that cometh: which they understand either of the Child, who is so happy as to come to Circumcision; or, of Elias, whom they believe to come along with the Child, and to take his place by the Godfather, to observe and testifie that all things concerning Circumcision were duly administer’d.

When the Congregation are setled in good order, the Godfather holds the Child to the Mohel, who gives God thanks that in Abraham he gave them this Sacrament, and thereby signed and sealed them for his peculiar people. Then he takes away the Foreskin, and in the interim the Father praiseth the Lord that he gave Abraham a heart to fulfil the Law of Circumcision, and preserved him to see this his Son Circumcised. The Foreskin being cut off, the Mohel casts it into the dish of Sand, with no less mystical intimation, than that the Seed of the Child should be numerous as the grains of that Sand; and that the Nation of the Jews to whom God gave this Sacrament, might still verifie what was observed of them Numb. 23.10. But I rather think it to reflect upon Abraham’s blessing, Gen. 22.17.

When the Mohel has thus disposed of the Prepuce, he prays that the Child may live and see his Sons thus initiated into the Covenant; may keep the Law, and do good Works. Then he takes a cup of Wine, and blesseth God that he hath created the Vine, and given it a power to exhilarate and nourish: then he dips the little Finger of his left Hand thrice in the Wine, and lets it drop into the Childs mouth; and having tasted of it himself, reaches it to the Congregation. This done, the Mohel again gives thanks, that God sanctified the child in the Womb, and has brought it to the Federal Sacrament. He prays likewise that the children of this child may obey the Law. Then he takes the Infant from the Baal Berith, and delivering it to the Father, giveth it a Name; praying for him, that by that Name there given him, he may quickly be healed, live prosperously, be a joy to his Parents, and beget children who may be zealous Assertors of the Law.

And thus far I have transcribed my old Mohel, who assured me that the whole Ritual of Circumcision was summarily contain’d in what is now set down.

They have such a great esteem for this Sacrament, that they still enjoyn it under its old penalty, That Soul shall be cut off from his people, Gen. 17. Which some interpret of Excommunication, or the bodily death of the Parents, who out of contempt or neglect of the Institution, omit the Circumcision of their Males: and others understand it of those who at years of Maturity took not care to perform that themselves, which through their Parents negligence was omitted in their Infancy.

And though the party delinquent herein incur this penalty, yet these Jews do not so expound the Precept of Circumcising the Eighth Day, as if it admitted of no relaxation. For in case of the Childs sickness, they generally hold that its Circumcision may be put off till seven daies after its Recovery. And those likewise who are born where there is no Toleration of their Rites, do not incur this censure, if they take care to be Circumcised when they come where their Religion is Tolerated. And they prove from the first Institution of Circumcision, that Age can priviledge none from undergoing it: Abraham being ninety years old and nine, when he was Circumcised in the flesh of his Foreskin, Gen. 17.24. And I knew one Jacob Israel Belgara, who being born in Spain, and a long time Student in Physick at Saragosa, coming to Barbary, Anno Dom. 1667. was Circumcised in the fortieth year of his Age. And they are careful not to delay the first occasion of being Circumcised, because every moment of such delay is a distinct breach of the Commandment. ’Tis true, instances of the Parents negligence in this particular is very unusual; they being so far from omitting this Sacrament, that they are but too rigorous in exacting it. [ . . . ]

If a child die ere the eighth day, it is Circumcised at the place of Burial, but without any further Ceremonies than giving a Name, and praying that God would be mindful of it in the day of the Resurrection, and to give it life among those who are Circumcised. Now they Circumcise the Child, to make it capable of Jewish Sepulchre, and to prevent all mischief that might otherwise befal the uncircumcised in the future State. For they are not yet agreed whether or no Circumcision be of absolute necessity to the life to come. Those who adhere to the very letter of its Institution, make Circumcision so requisite to the obtaining of future happiness, that they deny those who want it, any portion in the Resurrection; misunderstanding Ezek. 28.10. But others think there is nothing dangerous in the want thereof, but its contempt. And in the Christian Church the Council of Braccara ordain’d that those who despised their Baptism, and died in that opinion, should, as guilty of their own eternal Death, be buried with Self-Murtherers.

But all we have hitherto mentioned concerning Circumcision, is to be restrained to those who are born in the Jews Religion. For as to the admission of Proselytes unto Judaism, Circumcision, Baptism and Sacrifice were in ordinary course required. But these old Articles of Proselytism are not exacted by the modern Jews. For Sacrifice has been utterly out of use ever since the Destruction of the Temple. And lest the shame or pain of Circumcision might deter any from proselytizing, they are taught not rigorously to exact it. [ . . . ]

I confess Barbary affords but few of these Proselytes: for though there are frequent examples both of Jews and Christians turning Moors, yet very seldom are any met with who turn Jews; which made me less inquisitive after the present manner of receiving Proselytes. [ . . . ] If any Proselytes happen among them, we may presume they conform to the Rites herein used by the Jews of other Nations. Of which we have this summary Account in Leo. Modena, a Venetian Rabbi: Historia de gli riti Hebraici, Part 5. lib. 2. Si alcune volesse farsi Hebraeo, primo sono tenuti tre Rabbini, o persone di Autoritá interrogarto settilmente, che cosa lo move a far questa Rissotione, &c. that is: If there be any that hath a mind to turn Jew, there are three Masters, or persons of Authority appointed warily to examine him what cause moved him to this resolution, and whether any worldly interest had a hand therein; to the end they may admit him as they ought. Next, they denounce and make known unto him the great strictness of the Law of Moses, and that the Jews are at present an abject, vile, and despicable people, and that upon this account it is better for him to continue as he is. And if after all this he continues his purpose, then he is to Circumcise himself; and as soon as he is whole, he bathes himself all over in water in the presence of the three foresaid Masters: and after this, he is accounted as good an Hebrew as the rest. At the Circumcision of the Proselyte they use this Form of Prayer.

Blessed be thou O God and King of the World, who hath sanctified us with thy Precepts, and commanded us to Circumcise Proselytes, and to take from them the Blood of the Covenant. Because according to thy Prophet (Jer. 33.25) unless by the Blood of the Covenant neither Heaven nor Earth should remain.

Then the by-standers say, As thou hast brought him into thy Covenant, so guide us in thy Law and good Works, and bless us with protection and safety.