I frequently receive questions from About Judaism readers inquiring after Jewish ritual and tradition. I respond to the best of my ability, but every so often a question comes in that needs a rabbi's (as opposed to an educator's) reply. Below is one such question, which Rabbi Marc Disick agreed to answer as part of our "Ask the Rabbi" series.
Reader Question:
My husband and are adopting a toddler boy who has not been circumcised. We understand the importance of circumcision as a Jewish ritual and have always thought we would raise our child in the Jewish faith. But we had never considered that we might adopt a child as a toddler or that he might be uncircumcised.
With all of the life changes that our son will be experiencing when we bring him home, we are reluctant to add circumcision to the list of things he must deal with. We are worried about it being a traumatic experience and about him remembering it without understanding the reason. So here is our question: Can our son still be Jewish if he is not circumcised?
Rabbi Disick's response can be found in: Does Our Adopted Son Need a Brit Milah to be Jewish?
Image credit: Getty Images/Geoff Manasse
Note: Out of respect for the family who submitted this question, comments are closed on this post.