When the baby was handed over to his mother after the bris, she kissed him, shrieked and fainted. Some years ago a bris was secretly held in a basement in Soviet Russia after the boy was many months old, as it was the first time a mohel was available to perform it in that town due to Soviet decrees against religion. One of so many illustrations of this is the following story. He needs to report back to G-d that the Jews indeed are upholding this mitzvah of the covenant, often despite great sacrifice, evil decrees and danger. This is because he accused the Jewish people of not upholding the bris, so G-d decreed he attend every bris forever. We have a tradition that Elijah the prophet is present at each and every bris. Throughout our history the performance of the bris has been a source of great joy as well as an indication of our dedication to G-d and the upholding of our covenant with Him. Indeed, every mitzvah one performs is an act of self-perfection and thereby helps complete the world as well, effecting a true tikkun olam. This is the first mitzvah performed upon the child, bringing him (albeit passively) into a lifetime of the service of G-d.
This is because He wanted man to perfect himself. On a deeper level, G-d purposely created man imperfect.This is one reason this sign is only placed upon men, who are generally more inclined to promiscuity and have a greater sexual drive than women. This helps us maintain the purity and holiness of Jewish family life and intimate marital relations. Since sexual urges are among the most powerful of human drives, we were commanded to put the sign upon an area of our bodies that reminds us to refrain from immorality. Others maintain the message is that we are to be in control of our desires and passions, not allowing our lusts to rule over us.Some commentaries explain that G-d wanted a permanent sign on our bodies to distinguish us from the other nations in body and soul.While we can never fully know G-d’s motivations in commanding a mitzvah, we are meant to try and understand as much as we can: It is important enough to be mentioned 13 times in the Torah!Ī male Gentile who converts to Judaism also enters into the covenant through the performance of a bris. Bris has enormous significance in Judaism as the very sign of our covenant and connection to G-d. The Torah says in this past week’s Torah portion: “G-d spoke to Abraham saying, …this is my covenant which you shall keep between Me and you and your descendants after you - every male child among you shall be circumcised” (Genesis 17:12). When G-d forged a covenant to establish a special relationship with Abraham and his descendants, He decreed that a sign of the covenant should be indelibly marked on their bodies. There’s something very sublime and unique beyond words to see your own grandson enter the bris, the covenant of Abraham! Your question touches my heart as my wife and I just returned from the bris celebration of our grandson in Detroit.
Why is there a mitzvah to cut the foreskin of a baby? Also, if G-d is perfect, why would he create us in a way that is imperfect?
We have been blessed with a baby boy and held the bris this week, and have some questions in that regard.
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