JVO: Necessity of Circumcision

Jewish Values Online (jewishvaluesonline.org) is a website that asks the Jewish view on a variety of issues, some specifically Jewish and some from the world around us -- and then presents answers from each of the dominations of Judaism. Nishmablog's Blogmaster Rabbi Wolpoe serves as an Orthodox member of their Panel of Scholars, offering answers from our perspective.

This post is part of a weekly series on the Nishmablog presenting the questions to which he responded and the answers that he gave.

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Question: Is circumcision absolutely necessary for baby boys?

From an Orthodox perspective, it is absolutely necessary. The only exceptions I know are limited to health concerns. E.G., Circumcisions must be delayed if the baby is not yet robust enough to withstand the procedure

In the case of a hemophiliac, the Bris is postponed indefinitely due to the danger of bleeding.

Sources: My primary reference is Rambam Mishneh Torah Hilchot Milah