This article was constructed with the help of either writings, lectures or shiurim of Rabbi’s Pinchas Winston Yossi Bilus and Paysach Krohn
In 2011, a group in San Francisco opposed to male circumcision has collected enough signatures to put the issue to a vote in the November elections; violators would be subject to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. In Europe, “human rights” groups have mounted a grass roots campaign opposing circumcision, comparing it to the brutal mutilation of African women. The Netherlands Institute of Human Rights wants to outlaw Brit Milah.
Here we go again. It seems like another controversial issue centering on a Jewish topic… Ever wonder why the world always puts us front and center in their discussion?
Circumcision has been known to offer virtually complete protection from penile cancer. According to a recent review article in the New England Journal of Medicine, none of the over 1,600 persons studied with this cancer had been circumcised in infancy. In the words of researchers Cochen and McCurdy, the incidence of penile cancer in the U.S. is “essentially zero” among circumcised men.
The incidence of penile cancer is essentially zero among circumcised men.
Also, researchers at Johns Hopkins University Medical School in Baltimore have shown that circumcised men are six to eight times less likely to become infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Researchers believe that protection is due to the removal of the foreskin, which contains cells that have HIV receptors which scientists suspect are the primary entry point for the HIV virus. (Reuters, March 25, 2004)
Several studies reported that circumcised boys were between 10-to-39 times less likely to develop urinary tract infections during infancy than uncircumcised boys. In addition, circumcision protects against bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections and a variety of other conditions related to hygiene. The extremely low rate of cervical cancer in Jewish women (9-to-22 times less than among non-Jewish women) is thought to be related to the practice of circumcision.
As a result of studies like these, a number of prestigious medical organizations have recognized the benefits of circumcision, and the California Medical Association has endorsed circumcision as an “effective public health measure.”
The ceremony of the Brit Milah is one that is very dear to us and it’s been practiced since the time of our forefather Avraham on the eighth day of the child’s birth for four thousand years:
The covenant that is made at the Brit Milah is the joining together of the past, the present and the future of the Jewish people. Avraham, our forefather, who was the first one to receive a circumcision, represents our glorious past. Those assembled at the Brit, friends, family and distinguished guests, represent the present. Finally, Eliyahu Ha’navi, the messenger of the Redemption, represents the future. So in essence it’s a monumental event of assembling the chain of life through the generation, a wonderful tradition. The first thought one thinks of about the Brit Milah , this child is entering in the congregation of the Jewish people, an allusive club of being labeled chosen!! He now has an illustrious opportunity of experiencing the adventure of spinning draidels, bagels and lox, bar mitzvah, kiddush clubs and eating a whole matzah at the seder night within seven minutes… Yes, it’s one of many Jewish experiences, along with connecting with ones family on Shabbat and holidays. These are experiences that are etched in our memories for a lifetime.
We learn that the Brit Milah was an essential part of forming the Jewish nation. As a matter of fact, it was one of two conditions that were to be performed in order for us to be taken to the next level and pry ourselves from the depths of bondage.
In this week’s parsha we see that one of the commandments the Jews were not careful about was circumcision. Although, G-d showed mercy and had intention to save his chosen people, however, the Israelites, were empty of mitzvot. When the time came for the G-d to fulfill His promise to Avraham Avinu, Israel had no mitzvot to justify their redemption. G-d then gave them the mitzvot of the Brit Milah and the Korban Pesach to perform immediately in order to have something in the bank. These two commandments, if performed, were the ticket out.
The first: the Passover sacrifice (Hebrew: Korban Pesach קרבן פסח), is the sacrifice that the Torah mandates to be brought on the eve of Passover. The blood of this sacrifice sprinkled on the door-posts of the Israelites was to be a sign to G-d, when passing through the land to slay the first-born of the Egyptians that night that he should pass by the houses of the Israelites.
Along with the blood of the korban Pesach, the Israelites were instructed to place on the door post blood from the Milah. Apparently, the Brit and the Pesach are in essence one and the same mitzvah, expressed in two ways. Regarding the paschal lamb we are told that “The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are staying” (12:13). This notion of a “sign” is also found by the mitzva of Brit Milah. “You shall be circumcised through the flesh of your foreskin. This shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you” (Genesis 17:11).
Blood is the life-force of a human being. For this reason we repeat at a Brit Mila ceremony the phrase “live with your blood”. With these two commandments being fulfilled, the Jews were saved from the last plague, “the killing of the first born” from death, which devastated their tormentors, the Egyptians.
The ritual and the act of circumcision, although well accepted among the Jewish people, seems, at the very least, very profound. Why is it so important? Why does it involve the private part? Furthermore, “Brit Milah” actually means “the covenant of words”. What does speech have to do with the act of circumcision? And why was it introduced to Avraham?
Why was his name changed from Avram to Avraham?
We can find a tremendous amount of answers probing into the first man who was circumcised, Avraham. He performed the mitzvah of Milah, at the age of ninety-nine years. For, it was Milah, that’s elevated Avraham to an ultimate level of relationship with His Creator, removing any last spiritual barrier that may have stood between him and G-d:
When Avram was ninety-nine years old, G-d appeared to Avram and said to him, ‘I am Kel-Shakai- walk before Me and be perfect.’ Bereishit 17:1
The actual command to circumcise himself comes in the Torah after Avraham fought a successful campaign against the kings of Canaan (to free his nephew Lot who had been taken captive). It was then that G-d approached Avraham and said:
You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, as a sign of the covenant between Me and you. At the age of eight days, you shall circumcise every male child born to you throughout the generations … (Bereishis 17:11-1)
There are two aspects of the mitzvah referred to in the verse. Firstly, Milah is a sign of the covenant between Avraham and G-d; secondly, Milah is to take place on the eighth day from birth. We should take note of the point in Parshat Lech Lecha at which the Mitzvah is commanded after Avraham’s successful winning of the Canaanite kings and after, what seems to be, an unusual reaction by Avraham.
Once he had successfully subdued the enemy nations, and had restored the previously defeated kings, they gathered to pick up the pieces and to pay homage to Avraham. The king of S’dom offered Avraham:
“Give me the people, and the possessions take for yourself.” (Bereishis 14:21)
At face value, the offer of the king of S’dom seems like a nice gesture. However, from Avraham’s reaction (or rather, over-reaction) to it, we understand that the king of S’dom was trying to trick Avraham:
‘I have vowed to G-d, the Most High, the Owner of heaven and earth! I will not take even a thread to a shoelace from anything of yours. You will not be able to say, ‘I made Avraham rich.’
Was Avraham being melodramatic? Would not a polite refusal, “no thank you….maybe some other time” have accomplished the same purpose, without making a scene? Furthermore, if Avraham was so worried about taking money from anyone but G-d, why did he not put up the same resistance when Pharaoh loaded him down with riches? In Egypt, Avraham seemed completely unbothered when Pharaoh showered him with gifts to send him off back to Canaan. “Just pile the wagon and don’t worry if it’s full; there’s another coming”.
The difference between the two gifts was not in the giving itself, but the circumstances that led to the giving. In each case, it was a miracle that led to Avraham finding favor in the eyes of his benefactor. However, the nature of the miracle was different. In Egypt, G-d had performed an obvious miracle when he sent the plague to Pharaoh and his entire household. The victory over the Canaanite kings, on the other hand, was a less obvious miracle, since Avraham had to fight the war.
For Pharaoh, there was no way to view Avraham’s “victory” as being anything other than a miracle of G-d. Avraham did not go to war against him; on the contrary, Avraham waited passively while G-d inflicted Pharaoh and his court with sickness. In essence he was a helpless bystander waiting for his wife to emerge unscathed because of protection from above. Pharaoh desired his wife Sarah. Therefore, any reason Pharaoh might have to give to Avraham could only be viewed as the will of G-d. Pharaoh saw his giving as an obvious fulfillment of G-d’s promise to make Avraham a wealthy man. As such, it was also a tremendous sanctification of G-d’s name.
However, the king of S’dom could view Avraham’s success in terms of natural forces, since he did fight. Perhaps, he was a good sharp shooter. Perhaps, he was physically stronger than some of those kings. Therefore, any booty Avraham might take would not necessarily appear as a fulfillment of G-d’s promise, and therefore, it could lack the potential to sanctify G-d’s name. This, Avraham could not accept. By emphatically refusing the offer, and by stating why, “it was G-d’s strength, not mine!!!” Avraham sanctified G-d’s name. He also, perhaps unbeknown to him at the time, rose to a whole new spiritual level, for which Bris Milah would be the reward!
WHY AVRAHAM AND WHY THE FORE SKIN?
The first man, Adam, was created circumcised, as it says, “God created man in His image …” (Bereishis 2:5). Avot d’Rav Nossat 2:5
Rav Yitzchak said, [Adam] caused his foreskin to be extended [and cover his circumcision]. Sanhedrin 38b
Adam made a mistake with the growth of the Orlah (foreskin).. For, whether we are talking about “Orlat HaLeiv” (uncircumcised heart), “Orel S’fataim “(uncircumcised lips), or “Orlah” from a tree (fruits of the third year), the word Orlah always implies a spiritual “barrier” between man and G-d which has to be removed.
When Adam ate from the tree, he plunged mankind into the world of nature. By depending upon the physical world to develop himself and his relationship to God, he in fact created a barrier between himself and God. He hardened his heart (Orlas HaLeiv), he reduced his G-dly power of speech (Orel S’fataim), he made the tree a barrier (Orlah), and abused his creative potential (symbolized by the Orlah removed by Bris Milah).
Avraham was well known for his trait of kindness. The Zohar says the “giving” trait found in cheesed-kindness, if taken to an extreme, would inevitably cause one to succumb to illicit relations. Anyone with that super kindness trait is susceptible. As of matter of fact, Yishmael, Avrahams other son, inherited that trait from his father but was not able to control it.
The Sages say Avraham was shalom (perfect/full/complete.) He perfected all his traits except this one. As one naturally realizes, concentration can be most difficult. By commanding Avraham to perform Brit Milah it now made him perfect. Limitation was set on this organ. There is a certain segula, or spiritual merit, found with the ceremony of brit milan, where one’s understanding of Jewish wisdom is increased. Everytime Avraham looked at his circumcision he would realize the limitation on the trait of chessed. It was not only a sign, a covenant with G-d, but a deterent. This courageous act led to having his one true heir, Yitzchak.
When Avraham melodramatically expressed his complete dependence on God for his physical sustenance, he demonstrated his unwavering commitment to live above nature. As a consequence, he was provided with the means to remove all the Orlot Adam’s mistake had brought to mankind. This is the Brit Milah which is performed on the eighth day (eight always symbolizes the spiritual, supernatural realm, as we see through Chanukah as well).
The Mystics say by having the brit and its ceremony spiritual energies are infused into the boy. These are the tools necessary to be able to comprehend the Torah in a different realm..There are also thirteen times, in parsha Lech Lecha where G-d mentions his covenant with Avraham. This is to offset the thirteen attributes of G-d. The Thirteen attributes of G-d is mentioned on Yom Kippur and is a focal point in our quest for forgiveness. It can only be applied if the Jew is circumcised. Rabbi Pesach Krohn teaches us with the infused energy that the boy gets at the brit comes a name. A name defines the task that this boy will do in life. This is the reason Avraham’s name was changed the day he was circumcised.
Korban Pesach is a Biblical commandment of the highest order, with the command repeated and amplified to us in three different places: Exodus 12, 3-12, Numbers 9, 1-13 and Deuteronomy 16.
Just as circumcision, the first commandment imposed on an individual Jew, our forefather Abraham brought us into the covenant as individuals, the commandment of Korban Pesach, the first commandment imposed on the Jewish People as a collective–obligating men, women and even children–brings us into the covenant as a People.
