The origin is probably multi-faceted, but I've read that the practice evolved in part as a more humane replacement for the Pagan practice of ritual sacrifice (which is forbidden in Judaism). Instead of sacrificing a whole human life to show your devotion to god, you're giving up the most valuable and erogenous part of the male body.
It should be noted that the history of circumcision in the US has remarkably little to do with Judaism (or Islam, for that matter, which is also a circumcising religion), and everything to do with puritanical Protestants, so blaming Jews for the prevalence of circumcision today is extra idiotic. The historical Jewish circumcision also happens to remove a lot less tissue than the more destructive American version (hurray). The Statue of David is actually circumcised in this manner although it appears uncircumcised compared to American penises.
The origin is probably multi-faceted, but I've read that the practice evolved in part as a more humane replacement for the Pagan practice of ritual sacrifice (which is forbidden in Judaism). Instead of sacrificing a whole human life to show your devotion to god, you're giving up the most valuable and erogenous part of the male body.
It should be noted that the history of circumcision in the US has remarkably little to do with Judaism (or Islam, for that matter, which is also a circumcising religion), and everything to do with puritanical Protestants, so blaming Jews for the prevalence of circumcision today is extra idiotic. The historical Jewish circumcision also happens to remove a lot less tissue than the more destructive American version (hurray). The Statue of David is actually circumcised in this manner although it appears uncircumcised compared to American penises.
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