559. Beginning the Laws of Milah (Circumcision)

Milah 1:1

Circumcision is a positive mitzvah, failure of which to perform renders one liable to the punishment of kareis (spiritual excision) as per Genesis 17:14, “An uncircumcised male who does not circumcise his foreskin - this soul shall be cut off from his people.” A father is obligated to circumcise his son, and a master is obligated to circumcise his servants. This applies both to those born in his house and those he purchased. If a father or a master did not circumcise them, he fails to fulfill an obligation but he is not liable to kareis; kareis is only incurred by an uncircumcised male himself. The court is required to circumcise the uncircumcised son or servant at the appropriate time. They should not permit a male to remain uncircumcised among the Jewish people or their servants.

Milah 1:2

One may not circumcise another person's son without his knowledge unless that person has violated the mitzvah by not circumcising him. In such a case, the court may circumcise the child against the father’s wishes. If the court becomes aware of such a situation and they do not circumcise the child, he is obligated to circumcise himself upon reaching the age of bar mitzvah. For every day that he remains uncircumcised after reaching bar mitzvah, he fails to fulfill an obligation. However, one does not become liable to kareis until he dies intentionally uncircumcised.