# Where Did The Practice Of Sucking The Bloody Penis After Circumcising It Originate? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 28, 2004, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489 "2004-09-28T15:03:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2004, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/21 "2004-09-28T23:29:57Z")
Sorry. But isn’t saliva quite antibiotic? Or is that just my own on my own glans? I’ve never felt any drawbacks in kissing mouthes for instance… (Not that it seems wise sucking babies’ penii in the current political climate…and they call those people funda_mentalists_…) ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2004, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/22 "2004-09-28T23:50:11Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Which, cleaning the penis via sucking, or the whole process of circumcision? > > Getting in Great Debate territory, here. > But most state laws regarding molestation contain language like "inappropriate touching, done for the _purpose of sxual gratification_… > > This is intended to exempt doctors & nurses doing medical procedures, massage therapists giving treatments, high-school coaches demonstrating wrestling holds, etc. from such laws. Yeah, and boy scout leaders, and Catholic priests. The list goes on and on. ---
**Author:** ![Mathochist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2004, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/23 "2004-09-28T23:55:38Z")
> [@Staggerlee](#): > > penii [penes](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mplurals.html). ---
**Author:** ![ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/24 "2004-09-29T00:08:02Z")
> [@Surreal](#): > > I don’t see how it would do anything to prevent infection, as the mouth is considered to be the dirtiest part of the body. I can think of at least one less clean part of the body. And thank god they don’t stick it in there to clean it off. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/25 "2004-09-29T00:58:18Z")
IIRC - sorry, no cite - saliva is generally beneficial when applied to small wounds. It promotes coagulation. That is why small children who cut their fingers, say, will instinctively put their fingers in their mouths. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/26 "2004-09-29T01:05:14Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > What if you convert as an adult? :eek: AFAIK circumcision is not required of adult converts to Judaism. If an adult were to be circumcised, I think it’s safe to say that someone sucking some blood out would be the least of his concerns. ---
**Author:** ![yBeayf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e274bd/32.png) [@yBeayf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yBeayf)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/27 "2004-09-29T01:27:50Z")
> [@](#): > > AFAIK circumcision is not required of adult converts to Judaism. It is indeed, at least for converts to Orthodox and Conservative Judaism. I’ll let more knowledgeable members fill us all in on the gory details. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/28 "2004-09-29T01:46:36Z")
[SHUDDERS] So glad I’m an atheist… ---
**Author:** ![alterego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/29 "2004-09-29T01:50:03Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Which, cleaning the penis via sucking, or the whole process of circumcision? > > Getting in Great Debate territory, here. > But most state laws regarding molestation contain language like "inappropriate touching, done for the _purpose of sxual gratification_… > > This is intended to exempt doctors & nurses doing medical procedures, massage therapists giving treatments, high-school coaches demonstrating wrestling holds, etc. from such laws. It doesn’t sound very debateable to me. How can you suck a baby’s penis and not be charged with molestation? ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/30 "2004-09-29T01:59:35Z")
alterego: > [@](#): > > It doesn’t sound very debateable to me. How can you suck a baby’s penis and not be charged with molestation? Because it’s one little “suck” to draw blood, not a freaking blowjob. I think it’s safe to say that neither party is involved for sexual gratification’s sake. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/31 "2004-09-29T02:18:11Z")
As I see it, there are two main reasons why molestation is a bad thing. (I’m sure we all agree child molestation is morally wrong, I just think breaking it down will help make it clear whether using ones lips to remove blood after circumcision is also morally wrong.) The reasons I thought of are: (1) It’s seriously traumatic for the child. (2) You’re exploiting an “innocent” child for your own sexual gratification. (I put innocent in quotes because I’m not sure how I’d define the term, not because I’m suggesting that a child isn’t really innocent.) This boils down to (A) it’s a act selfish, (B) you’re not respecting them as an individual © you’re exposing them to something they (or there parents) may not want them exposed to. I think it obvious that 2(A) isn’t the case. With regard to 2©, an infant will have no opinion on whether your lips should touch their penis, and their parents obviously approve. With regard to 1, it’s clearly not traumatic (you can argue whether circumcision itself is, but in any case they won’t remember it.) So all that leaves is 2(B). Are you saying that performing a religious ritual in which a person’s lips come in contact with the infant’s penis, even with the full approval of the parents, is somehow disrespectful of the child? It’s clear (to me, anyway) that metzizah isn’t remotely equivalent to molestation from an ethical standpoint. ---
**Author:** ![alterego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/32 "2004-09-29T02:20:32Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > alterego: > Because it’s one little “suck” to draw blood, not a freaking blowjob. I think it’s safe to say that neither party is involved for sexual gratification’s sake. I have a feeling the law, one way or the other, is very sided and clear on this point. Which is another reason I don’t think its very debateable. Anyway, I am thinking of it this way: The baby is now a grown man, does not identify with his faith, finds out what happened to him when he was a baby and is a) disgusted and b) traumatized and c) wants to go to court. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/33 "2004-09-29T02:26:19Z")
> [@alterego](#): > > I have a feeling the law, one way or the other, is very sided and clear on this point. Which is another reason I don’t think its very debateable. > > Anyway, I am thinking of it this way: The baby is now a grown man, does not identify with his faith, finds out what happened to him when he was a baby and is a) disgusted and b) traumatized and c) wants to go to court. Hmm . . . in light of this post, I think perhaps I misinterpreted your previous one. If you’re saying it’s _legally_ equivalent to molestation, I’m not qualified to argue one way or the other. I thought you were suggesting they’re _morally_ equivalent, i.e. the mohel _deserves_ to be charged. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/34 "2004-09-29T02:29:23Z")
> [@tim314](#): > > It’s clear (to me, anyway) that metzizah isn’t remotely equivalent to molestation from an ethical standpoint. On the other hand, there’s the Afghani custom of [kissing a child’s penis…](http://www.paedosexualitaet.de/exp/Kargar.html) ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/35 "2004-09-29T20:06:52Z")
> [@alterego](#): > > The baby is now a grown man, does not identify with his faith, finds out what happened to him when he was a baby and is a) disgusted and b) traumatized and c) wants to go to court. Heh. While in law school, my husband joked that he and a friend were going to file a class-action lawsuit on behalf of multilated men everywhere. Anyway, thanks for the factual answer **Zev** , beofre this thread degenerates into a debate over circumcision. ---
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/36 "2004-09-29T21:09:04Z")
Wow. The things you learn here. However, considering the Jewish abhorrance of blood as “unclean,” this practice seems to be unique when compared to, say Koshering, or strictures placed on menstruating women. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/37 "2004-09-29T21:09:48Z")
A man goes to New York and realizes he’s some how broken his watch. He’s walking down the street and finds a shop with a window full of watches and clocks. Inside, there’s an old Jewish rabbi bent over a book, lost in his studies. The man with the watch approaches the storekeeper, “I need to have my watch fixed.” “I’m sorry,” the old man answers, “I can’t help you.” He goes back to studying. “What do you mean you can’t help me?” the man with the watch is angry, “Are you saying you don’t want my business?” The old man glances up and says with a tired sigh, “Look, I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do.” “There’s nothing you can do?!” The guy with the watch is now livid. “This is a watch shop. My watch is broken. I want you to fix it, now!” Without looking up, the old man says, “I’m not a watch repairman, I’m a mohel.” “What in the world is a mohel?” The man exclaims. So the old man explains the process to the out of towner. “Ok,” says the man, “Then what are all those timepieces doing in the window?” “Look, mister,” the old man answers, “If you performed circumcisions for a living, what would you put in the window?” ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/38 "2004-09-29T21:20:50Z")
Anecdotal evidence: I have been to two _brit milot_ (Hebrew for the circumsion ritual/ceremony) in the last 13 months. At neither of these occasions, in which the circumcision is performed in full view of the attendees, did I see the mohel put the baby’s penis in his mouth. YMMV. ;j ---
**Author:** ![Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kel_Varnsen_Latex_Division)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/39 "2004-09-29T21:21:11Z")
> [@](#): > > A man goes to New York and realizes he’s some how broken his watch. > > He’s walking down the street and finds a shop with a window full of watches and clocks. Inside, there’s an old Jewish rabbi bent over a book, lost in his studies. The man with the watch approaches the storekeeper, “I need to have my watch fixed.” > > “I’m sorry,” the old man answers, “I can’t help you.” He goes back to studying. > > “What do you mean you can’t help me?” the man with the watch is angry, “Are you saying you don’t want my business?” > > The old man glances up and says with a tired sigh, “Look, I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do.” > > “There’s nothing you can do?!” The guy with the watch is now livid. “This is a watch shop. My watch is broken. I want you to fix it, now!” > > Without looking up, the old man says, “I’m not a watch repairman, I’m a mohel.” > > “What in the world is a mohel?” The man exclaims. > > So the old man explains the process to the out of towner. > > “Ok,” says the man, “Then what are all those timepieces doing in the window?” > > “Look, mister,” the old man answers, “If you performed circumcisions for a living, what would you put in the window?” I don’t get it? Is there anything special about clocks? Or does he just not want to put up foreskins? ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2004, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489/40 "2004-09-29T21:26:26Z")
More anecdotal evidence to one of the tangents of this thread (adult conversion): When my wife and I were married, she wanted us to be married by an Orthodox Rabbi. I was fine with it. The Rabbi interviewed me. As it turns out, I was circumcised, but not ritually. I was circumised at the hospital right after I was born. To the Rabbi, therefore, I had not entered into the covenant of Abraham and was therefore not completely Jewish according to Orthodox law. He urged me to have an adult version of the _Brit Milah_. He did mention that part of the ceremony involved making a small cut in my penis where my foreskin used to be attached. I politely declined. If he had mentioned that the mohel gets to put my penis in his mouth, I probably would still have declined. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-practice-of-sucking-the-bloody-penis-after-circumcising-it-originate/266489.md?page=3)