Re: Berit Milah vs. Circumcision ...

[Nahid D Gerstein]

Hi Rita, 

I am responding to your question on behalf of the Israel & Judaica Section at 
the Library of Congress.  

Berit Milah (sh 85013332)

We assign this heading to works in which the  religious ceremony and the 
"rituals" of circumcision are discussed, such as various dinim and minhagim 
like having a "sandak" , "seudat berit milah" , the role of the mohel, etc. 


Circumcision $x Religious aspects $x Judaism (sh 85026077):

This heading is assigned to works which deal with the concept of circumcision 
within Judaism in a broad, general way, and/or in a comparative context. 
(Please note that this heading is a broader term to "Berit Milah.") A good 
example of this usage would be LCCN 2004020069, which discusses the concept of 
circumcision from ancient Judea to modern America.
 
Many times, a general view of circumcision is mixed with details of the ritual 
aspects of circumcision.  One example would be LCCN 98828803, where we have a 
collection of sermons and other forms of discussions on the importance of 
circumcision in the Jewish religion plus "dinim ve-hanhagot".  In this case, we 
use both headings to bring out both the specific ritual aspects of the ceremony 
and the general aspects of the broader concept.

I hope my explanation about the use of Berit Milah vs. circumcision is useful.

Thank you,

Nahid Dayanim Gerstein


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>>> Rita Lifton <rilif...@jtsa.edu> 09/24/09 2:00 PM >>>
When is it appropriate to use "Berit Milah", when is "Circumcision-Religious 
aspects-Judaism" appropriate and when should both be used? Thanks in advance 
for clarification.

Shanah Tovah,
Rita Lifton
Senior Cataloger
Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary