# Why did the ancient Hebrews not allow guys with mangled/missing privates into temple?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-ancient-hebrews-not-allow-guys-with-mangled-missing-privates-into-temple/615687>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [March 13, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-ancient-hebrews-not-allow-guys-with-mangled-missing-privates-into-temple/615687 "2012-03-13T20:38:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-ancient-hebrews-not-allow-guys-with-mangled-missing-privates-into-temple/615687/41 "2012-03-15T22:00:47Z")

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> [@DocCathode](#):
>
> And the ban only applies to those who have willingly mutilated themselves.

I suppose then the Jewish circumcision doesn’t count, since it’s done at 7 days old, so the baby can hardly be said to have ‘willingly’ consented.

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**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-ancient-hebrews-not-allow-guys-with-mangled-missing-privates-into-temple/615687/42 "2012-03-15T22:06:45Z")

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I should have clarified the word mutilation. I meant ‘alteration in such a way as to leave the man without testes and/or penis’. Circumcision clearly leaves the patient with a penis (except in exceedingly rare cases when something goes terribly wrong).

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**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-ancient-hebrews-not-allow-guys-with-mangled-missing-privates-into-temple/615687/43 "2012-03-19T00:15:24Z")

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> [@Revtim](#):
>
> # Deuteronomy 23 (English Standard Version) 23 “No one whose _testicles are crushed_ or whose male organ is cut off shall enter the assembly of the Lord.
> 
> Why not? Was it just maliciously adding insult to injury, or what?

Does this include “Wiffleball Bats” on Deuteronomy’s Funniest Home Videos. :dubious:

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**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-ancient-hebrews-not-allow-guys-with-mangled-missing-privates-into-temple/615687/44 "2012-03-20T01:22:33Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> while the Church didn’t have any problem with communicating bastards.

Especially not good old Joe Goebbels.

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**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-ancient-hebrews-not-allow-guys-with-mangled-missing-privates-into-temple/615687/45 "2012-03-21T01:19:06Z")

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If they still had that restriction that could be another use of the nude body scanners they have in airports to check everyone entering the temple.

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**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-ancient-hebrews-not-allow-guys-with-mangled-missing-privates-into-temple/615687/46 "2012-03-21T18:41:50Z")

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> [@Mdcastleman](#):
>
> If they still had that restriction that could be another use of the nude body scanners they have in airports to check everyone entering the temple.

Several things

#1 Have you read the thread? The ban was not on entrance to the physical Temple but on marriage.

#2 What do you mean ‘if they still had it’? While I’m not sure of the percentage of rabbis who still would not allow such a marriage, I guarantee I can find a bunch.

#3 As the Temple is not supposed to be rebuilt until the messiah comes and brings world peace, scanners would be unnecessary.

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