Circumcision (Hebrew berit milah, Arabic khitān) is an ancient ritual, the origins of which are unclear, but which was adopted into the traditions of Jewish and Islamic faith practices. The ritual applies solely to males. In Judaism, circumcision represents the bond between the tribal ancestor Abraham and God (Gn 17, 10). Circumcision symbolizes belonging to the tribe and hence to the Jewish community, that is, the People of Israel. It should be performed on the eighth day of life, even if that day is the Shabbat (Gn 17, 12). From the start of the early modern period to t…