What is the difference between the Jewish circumcision and the traditional practice?

      

List the differences between the Jewish circumcision and the traditional practice.

  

Answers


Maurice
(i) Circumcision gives the initiates new status and responsibilities in African communities while it is not the case in the Jewish community as the initiate is still too young to own property.

(ii) In traditional African community circumcision is a transitional rite from childhood to adulthood whereas in the Jewish community it identifies the Jews as the people of God.

(iii) In the Jewish community it was performed on babies at the age of eight days, while in traditional African communities it was performed on those who had reached puberty age.

(iv) For the Jews, the practice was for male children only, while in some traditional African communities both boys and girls undergo the rite.

(v) The Jewish community does not have a seclusion period for the initiates like it is in traditional African communities.

(vi) In the Jewish community circumcision is a mark of the covenant whereas in the traditional African communities it binds the individual to the ancestors.

(vii) Circumcision is a test of courage in traditional African communities while in the Jewish community it is a test of faith and commitment to God.
maurice.mutuku answered the question on July 7, 2017 at 10:03


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