This morning upon perusing the Jewish news sites, I actually rubbed my eyes in amazement.  Could it really be that an Orthodox Rabbi had really written these words?  Surely this is some kind of bizarre, cruel, prank – a modern orthodox Rabbi attacking Bris Milah, giving the anti-circumcision movement fodder to attack and gloat –in the pages of the Jewish Week?

The Rabbi writes:  “Circumcision is unsettling. As the actor Russell Crowe wrote on Twitter: “I love my Jewish friends, I love the apples and the honey and the funny little hats but stop cutting yr babies.” Despite the politically incorrect tone, Crowe reminds us why the anti-circumcision movement is here to stay: circumcisions are bloody and make babies cry. Even the committed among us are uncomfortable, and we look down nervously when the mohel begins the ceremony. It’s painful to enter the Covenant of Abraham.”

WHAT?  Circumcision is unsettling?  In a generation of tongue piercings, triple and quadruple earrings, branding, and tattooing, a Rabbi calls circumcision unsettling when its health benefits are undisputed in three recent AIDS transmission studies?

“Today, it’s become debatable if circumcision’s health benefits warrant it being a standard procedure..In short, circumcision is a marketing nightmare; outside of a deep commitment to Judaism, based on a biblical command, there’s no good reason to do it.   I’m a Modern Orthodox rabbi who talks a great deal about the place of Judaism in the 21st century. But increasingly I’ve come to realize that circumcision is incompatible with the times, as is much of Judaism.”

Rabbi, why have you accepted this drivel?  It is not debatable – the medical savings cost alone involved in lowering infections, reducing AIDS deaths and transmissions are astounding!  This is aside from the saving of human life.  Rabbi, each individual – Jew and gentile was created b’tzelem Elokim – in the image of G-d and the facts are clear – the more universal circumcision becomes the more human life is spared.

The Sefer HaChinuch, a classical text in Judaism, explains that the Mitzvah of circumcision teaches us that we must ever seek to improve ourselves in this world.  The physical improvement informs our mission of spiritual improvement.

His next point is valid, thankfully.

“Jews should be proud of how different we are. In an era of unprecedented individualism and hedonism, Jews declare that community is critical, even for an eight-day-old baby. We take pride in a ritual that affirms that ..desire is not meant to be left unrestrained, but must be shaped by values of fidelity and devotion. When others seek endless comfort, we are willing to say that doing the right thing might be painful, but it’s still worthwhile.”

But these points should not be made at the expense of Torah Mitzvos.  What the Rabbi wrote was irresponsible – reprehensibly so.  Points should not be made accepting the false propaganda and premises of an anti-Semitic movement – especially when the tacit acceptance of these false premises pulls the carpet out from under Jewish practices and beliefs.

In an age where Jewish observance is under attack the world over, where Shechita is banned in parts of Europe, our laymen, our leadership, and yes, even some of our Rabbis, must weigh their words very carefully.