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The first presentation of the mitzva of mila, to Avraham, mentions repeatedly a brit (covenant) and an ot (a sign) of the connection between Hashem and His devotees (Bereishit 17:9-14). The idea of brit is then a focus of the acceptance of the Torah at Sinai (Shemot 24:7-8; see also Bamidbar 10:33 regarding the luchot that memorialize that great event) and a covenant is made before entering the Land (Devarim 28:69). Brit mila was required to get to this point, as the "blood" of mila and Korban Pesach provided the virtue that made possible the Exodus, nationhood, Sinai, and ultimately entering the Land (Mechilta D’Rabi Yishmael, Bo 5).
After the time of Avraham, the Torah no longer uses the term brit regarding mila, but refers to it as a way to remove the undesired orla (foreskin; see also Yehoshua 5). Besides being a physical sign of covenant, mila removes the orla, which is biological tissue that represents negative spiritual forces; it needs to be removed for the boy to grow into a holy man (see Sefer Hachinuch #2). Whether an orla creates the equivalent of tumah, as Rabbi Akiva posits (see Yevamot 72b), or something else, if one does not remove the orla, even if it is not his fault, he may not eat the Korban Pesach, teruma, or ma’aser sheni. Arguably, the sanctification resulting from removing the orla is a brit mila’s major element, as opposed to the former need to symbolize the covenant.
In at least one realm of Judaism, the brit element of mila remains in full force. One who was born not Jewish was not included in the covenant that Hashem forged with the Jewish people. If such a man wants to convert, i.e., join the covenant with Hashem as a new member of Bnei Yisrael, he must perform a brit mila (Yevamot 45a).
If it is so, that the covenantal element of brit mila is not as central to the mitzva as it originally was, why does it find so much expression in the terminology, lore, and even the berachot (l’hachniso b’vrito, zocher habrit) of a brit mila? The answer may be as follows. Indeed, we have inherited britot from our forefathers (and our neshamot) who were at Sinai, but we yearn to actively, in our generation, with our own sons, do what we can do to affirm our excitement in being part of that covenant. We want a sign on our bodies to proclaim, as do our homes, our clothes, our arms and head, that we are connected to Hashem throughout our lives. Hashem enabled us to create this sign with the same act we use to make ourselves fit to take part in holy matters – by removing the orla.
May the merit of embracing our connection to Hashem give Him further reason to shine His countenance upon us and protect us from our enemies, with continued and increasing miracles.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
