Circumcision on Eighth Day

The beginning of פרשת תזריע discusses the impurity of a woman that gives birth. It is a seven day separation for the birth of a male and fourteen days for a female.

After being told about these seven days, the Torah tells us that on the eighth day, this baby boy should be circumcised. Many laws are learned from what apparently should be obvious.

From here it is learned that ברית מילה is דוחה שבת, that even if the eighth day falls on Shabbat, and even though there could be certain violations of Shabbat the Brit Milah takes priority.

From the word, “וביום,” we learn that the circumcision must be in the day and not the night. The ceremony only takes place if it is definitely the eighth day. If a baby was born during בין השמשות, twilight time on Friday evening, since there is doubt if it was Friday or Shabbat, the Brit would not take place on Shabbat.

From the grammatical language of the Torah, ימול, “he shall circumcise,” we learn that the Mitzva of Brit Milah, is placed on the father and not the mother.

It is interesting how so much can be learned from one seemingly unnecessary Pasuk.