Includes bibliographical references (p. [335]-360) and index.

"This is my covenant" : circumcision in the world of Temple Judaism -- "Great is circumcision" : Christian condemnation, Jewish veneration -- "Offering incense to heaven" : Jewish circumcision in medieval and early modern Europe -- "The height of foulness" : circumcision in European religious and popular culture -- "Trembling of the hands" : radical changes in a pivotal century -- Good sanitarians : circumcision medicalized -- "This little operation" : Jewish-American physicians and twentieth-century circumcision advocacy -- Unanswerable questions, questionable answers : justifying ritual circumcision -- "Deep feelings of nervousness" : circumnavigating the taboo topic.