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Topical anesthetics are very effective at minimizing the pain of brit milah. Many things in life are painful and yet we subject ourselves and our children to these things for our and their own good. Would you refuse to have your child immunized because the injection is painful? I assume that your answer would be no. So pain is not the issue. You may have others problems with this ritual, but at least be honest with yourself about your pain argument.
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There's always SOME pain involved, so it's no surprise - whether you're Jewish or not - that most people who get circumcised are babies. It's the best time to have it done, because the nerves aren't fully developed yet.
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Dear Pain,
I recently was part of a rabbinical court at a circumcision and the baby slept through it. I have no doubt that the procedure is painful in some cases, but the benefits far outweigh the pain. Getting an injection is painful, but we do not refuse an anti-biotic shot simply to avoid the pain. Many things in life are painful. If you choose to avoid pain in your life you will undoubtedly live a very shallow existence.
Brit Milah is an important mitzvah for every Jewish male. If you care about your son's connection to G-d and to the Jewish people, as well as his health, then you will follow this practice of our people.
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