# Circumcision ## Catechism of the Catholic Church The rite prescribed in Judaism and other cultures which involves cutting off the foreskin of a male. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and his people Israel and prefigured the rite of Christian initiation in Baptism. Jesus was circumcised eight days after his birth in accord with Jewish law ([[1.2.2.3.p1l#^ccc-527|527]]).