hey sofie! this is a common misconception. here's a thread: 1/15 https://twitter.com/literallysofie/status/1305283900206448640

Most people know circumcision is a part of Judaism, but they think it stops at Leviticus 12:3, where it says: “וּבַיּ֖וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֑י יִמּ֖וֹל בְּשַׂ֥ר עָרְלָתֽוֹ” or in English “on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” 2/15

What most people don’t know is how important circumcision is to us. I’ll get to reasoning in a moment, but the punishment is very serious. NOTE: I have both Hebrew text, English translation, and a clear explanation of all my sources below. 3/15

"עָרֵ֣ל ׀ זָכָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יִמּוֹל֙ אֶת־בְּשַׂ֣ר עָרְלָת֔וֹ וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא מֵעַמֶּ֑יהָ” אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֖י הֵפַֽר׃” (Genesis 17:14)

4/15

or in English: “And if any male who is uncircumcised fails to circumcise the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his kin; he has broken My covenant.” 5/15

Most commentators agree that this punishment affects the child, NOT the parent, as soon as they reach the age they can be punished. That means that yes, in Judaism there IS harm done *to the child* when you don’t circumcise as is customary on the 8th day. 6/15

But what does the punishment of being cut off, or כרת, mean? Karet (being cut off) is essentially considered to be the worst punishment possible. Yes, you read that right. 7/15

The Mishnah lists 36 times when this is the punishment, most of which are pretty similar and fall into categories of sexual sins, specific food laws, various laws related to sacrifice in the Beit HaMikdash/Mishkan, and circumcision. 8/15

There is no absolutely certain definition, but most believe it falls somewhere on the lines of: guaranteed death before age 60, infertility, etc. And almost everyone agrees you are spiritually cut off from the Jewish people. 9/15

Even if you aren’t religious, you have to be able to see how important that is to religious folks, especially when the community is so deeply important in Judaism. 10/15

Why are Jewish people commanded to circumcise? God doesn’t say exactly why they choose circumcision, but they tell Avraham “וְאֶתְּנָ֥ה בְרִיתִ֖י בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֑ךָ וְאַרְבֶּ֥ה אוֹתְךָ֖ בִּמְאֹ֥ד מְאֹֽד׃” (Genesis 17:2) 11/15

or, “I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will make you exceedingly numerous.” God then goes on to explain all the things they will do for Avraham, who will only need to circumcise himself and his household in return. 12/15

In essence, circumcision is the physical (non-optional, as we’ve seen) symbol of connection to god for AMAB Jews. 13/15

To call it “genital mutilation” is not only completely disrespectful to actual genital mutilation but also very clearly anti-semitic. Mind your business and LISTEN when Jewish people tell you certain things are unacceptable to say. 14/15

All translation and punctuation of biblical sources come from Sefaria, and the commentary I most heavily consulted was Rashi. I hope this was clear and informative! 15/15

goyim it’s funny that you think this was a conversation, especially when you didn’t even talk to my points. nah, it’s your turn to listen