Stories on Circumcision

The woman seemed oblivious to my words. "A knife," she repeated. "I must have a knife. Now. Before it is too late"

As the crowd dispersed from around the child, the Soviet official suddenly awoke from his drunkenness, pointed, and asked, "Who is that holy man?"

They had no other choice but to petition the emperor. However, that would place them in danger of being penalized and harmed, even before having the opportunity of reaching the emperor and presenting their partition.

Many years ago, when the Roman Empire reached the Land of Israel, decrees against the Jews abounded. One such decree forbade the circumcision of Jewish boys. The punishment was severe for those who disobeyed.

Throughout our long history the Jewish people have zealously guarded the mitzvah of circumcision, even during periods of religious rebellion and apostasy. Only once was there any weakness in the fulfillment of this mitzvah.