Why is the Brit ( I say "Brit" which rhymes with sweet), performed on the
8th day? This is what is recommended according to Jewish law written
thousands of years ago.   It was an agreement between Abraham and God to
assure the survival of the Jewish people. And after years of so many enemies
trying to get rid of us, we are still here, so I guess it works!!  Here is
an interesting site about the meaning behind it:
http://www.aish.com/literacy/lifecycle/What_is_Circumcision$.asp
and the ceremony itself.
http://judaism.about.com/library/3_lifecycles/bris/blbrit2.htm
  I am not religious, but I am always amazed at certain health
recommendations which were thought of thousands of years ago, such as Jewish
dietary laws, brit, etc, because they are medically correct in  " modern
medicine".  I once learned something very interesting from a friend who is a
hematologist.  On the 8th day after birth, the levels of Factor VIII are
very high in human milk.......Factor VIII  has anti-inflammatory properties
and aids in coagulation, which would be very helpful on the day of the Brit.
By day 8, breastfeeding is usually pretty well -established, and I encourage
mothers to feed the baby immediately after the Brit and often in the next 24
hours, and I have never heard that the Brit upset the breastfeeding in any
way.  Maybe that is another reason that the Brit should be done on day 8.
Another interesting fact: we are seeing more and more babies born without a
foreskin or partially circumcised........evolutionary changes? IN such a
case, the Brit is still performed symbolically, by drawing a drop of blood.
Esther Grunis, IBCLC, getting very excited about the conference in Rochester
next week!!
Lis Maternity Hospital
Tel Aviv, Israel



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