Language:
English
Year of publication:
1981
Titel der Quelle:
Journal of Reform Judaism
Angaben zur Quelle:
28,3 (1981) 50-57
Keywords:
Kalischer, Zevi Hirsch,
;
Berit milah (Jewish law)
;
Children of interfaith marriage (Jewish law)
;
Conversion
;
Responsa 19th century
Abstract:
Discusses a responsum by Rabbi Kalischer (in the form of a letter sent to Rabbi Esriel Hildesheimer) in 1864 relating to a debate which arose in the U.S. and spread to Europe on the question whether a "berit milah" could be performed by a Jewish "mohel" on a male baby born to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother. The American rabbi, who refused to allow the "berit" had written to the Orthodox journal "Der Israelit" to receive the views of Europe's rabbis. All of the respondents concurred with the American rabbi's decision, except for Rabbi Kalischer who states in his letter that not only is it permissible but it is a "mitzvah", among other reasons because God had initially wished all males in the world to be circumcised. Rabbi Kalischer states that he would not call such a circumcised boy a Jew, but that it might later bring him close to Judaism and to a desire to convert. There is no prohibition on circumcising a non-Jew. This issue arose in th State of Israel as well, and was addressed by Chief Rabbi Uziel, who spoke in the same spirit as Rabbi Kalischer. Recommends that this viewpoint be adopted by Jewish Reform rabbis today. Includes extracts from the responsum.
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