Mohels
(Jewish ritual circumcisionists) have been getting increased
business from non-Jewish customers. There are a variety of reasons for
the practice - some parents are concerned about the lack of training and
experience of those performing the procedure in hospitals. Why not hire an
expert who has literally performed thousands of these throughout his
career? Some are also worried about hospital-borne diseases and believe
that home would be a more sterile location.
"That's precisely the question posed at www.holisticcircumcision.com
[non-graphic], a site that Sherman set up for non-Jewish parents. On it, he
describes a 'quicker, gentler, and more humane' circumcision carried out without
the use of "drugs, injections or creams" (he suggests sugar water or
wine) in an environment that's 'spiritual and meaningful' instead of 'clinical
and cold.'"
The ceremonial significance of a ritually performed circumcision isn't lost
on non-Jews either.
"Nearly two years ago, Jeannie Noth Gaffigan and Jim
Gaffigan gave birth to their first son at home through the assistance of a
nurse-midwife. Though the decision to circumcise wasn't a religious one, as
Catholics the Gaffigans wanted more than a simple medical procedure. 'We felt a
mohel would lend a high level of dignity and significance to this very important
moment in our lives,' Noth Gaffigan said in an e-mail to the Forward."
"[The Mohel], 52, arrived at a house packed with food, drink and family - a
gathering that, were it not for the priest in the corner, would have looked like
nothing less than a Jewish bris. While James waited for his big moment - his
gauze pacifier soaked in sugar and Manischewitz - Jeannie read a passage from
the New Testament describing Mary and Joseph dedicating the infant Jesus to God.
After this, the priest gave a common Catholic benediction, known in Judaism as
the Priestly Blessing, followed by Blake's rendition in Hebrew."
If you're going to circumcise a little boy, this certainly
seems like a viable alternative means to get the job done and done well.
But would such a ceremonial procedure or event be syncretistic?