Hadrian’s Prohibition of Circumcision

Mekhilta de-Rabbi Ishmael, Baḥodesh 6

3rd Century

R. Nathan says: Of them that love Me and keep My commandments (Exodus 20:6) refers to those who dwell in the land of Israel and risk their lives for the sake of the commandments. “Why are you being led out to be decapitated?” “Because I circumcised my son to be an Israelite.” “Why are you being led out to be burned?” “Because I read the Torah.”…

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One of the causes of the second Jewish revolt against Rome (132–135 CE) was the emperor Hadrian’s prohibition, issued after a visit to his eastern provinces, of any form of bodily mutilation, including circumcision (see The Bar Kokhba Revolt and Its Aftermath, 132–135 CE). The following early rabbinic tradition reflects the embellished traumatic memory of the Hadrianic persecutions. See also Roman Persecution and the Bar Kokhba Revolt.

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