The Mitzva of Circumcision

The Mitzva of circumcision was given to Avraham Avinu. The word, “Brit,” means covenant. It is a physical sign on the body of every male Jew. The ערלה, or foreskin, is considered an impediment towards achieving spiritual holiness.

The commentators described Avraham’s own elevation after his circumcision. His communication with Hashem was on a much higher level, after his Brit.

It is interesting that when David learned of the taunting of Goliath against the Jewish people, he asked, “Who is this Pelishti, Arel, (uncircumcised) who threatens the army of Hashem?”

We see that the foreskin represents impurity in the body of a Jew. The Brit is the symbol that one has entered the covenant of Avraham Avinu. It purifies and elevates.

It is such an important Mitzva that it is performed on the eighth day, even when it falls on Shabbat, and involves some Shabbat desecration.

The offering of the Korban Pesach and the Mitzva of Brit Mila are the only two positive commandments in the Torah that carry a punishment for its non observance. The punishment is called, “Karet,” which means being cut off from the Jewish people.

The reason why a Brit is such a happy occasion, despite the discomfort to the baby, is that we are celebrating the fact that the Jewish people are continuing to be perpetuated, with another child entering the covenant of Avraham Avinu.