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AN EVERLASTING COVENANT(A FEW POINTS)
I was a mohel in London for 37 years. I often wonder whether there is any other Mitzva in the Torah which is preserved more faithfully, kept with such devotion and accepted with greater joy than this rite.
WHY THIS PARTICULAR SIGN?
Circumcision is a law, whose reason is not given in the Torah. Nevertheless, it has been said that this sign was placed in the reproductive organ whereby the species is perpetuated thus symbolising the eternity of Hashem's commandment with the Jewish people.
THE CEREMONY
When the baby is brought into the room, he is greeted with the words, "Baruch Haba". HABA equals three letters namely Hay=5, Bet =2 and Alef = 1 equals 8, thereby blessing the child who enters on the 8th day of his life. The greeting is also extended to Elijah, for the initial letters of the same word stand for Hinai Ba Eliyahu = "Here comes Elijah".
FOR THE JEWS THERE WAS LIGHT AND HAPPINESS AND REJOICING
In allusion to the above verse taken from Megillat Esther some light candles. The Talmud (Megillah 16b) interprets "rejoicing" to mean circumcision. At a time when an ancient proscription against brit milah caused it to be performed in secret, the light of the candles served as a notice to passers-by that a brit was to take place. Sometimes 13 candles are lit to correspond with the 13 occurences of the word "brit" in Beraishit. 17.
AN IMPORTANT LAW
A brit has to be performed at the prescribed time - on the eighth day - and must take place even on a shabbat or yom tov or Yamim Noraim except when postponed on the advice of the mohel or if the baby was delivered by Caesarian Section.
A THOUGHT FOR DISCUSSION
It is a cultural phenomenon worth pondering that, however neglected other traditional rites and ceremonies of Judaism may be among assimilated Jews of today, the rite of circumcision is, nevertheless, almost universally practised by them upon their infant sons as it is by all religious Jews. MICHAEL PLASKOW, Netanya.
WHY THIS PARTICULAR SIGN?
Circumcision is a law, whose reason is not given in the Torah. Nevertheless, it has been said that this sign was placed in the reproductive organ whereby the species is perpetuated thus symbolising the eternity of Hashem's commandment with the Jewish people.
THE CEREMONY
When the baby is brought into the room, he is greeted with the words, "Baruch Haba". HABA equals three letters namely Hay=5, Bet =2 and Alef = 1 equals 8, thereby blessing the child who enters on the 8th day of his life. The greeting is also extended to Elijah, for the initial letters of the same word stand for Hinai Ba Eliyahu = "Here comes Elijah".
FOR THE JEWS THERE WAS LIGHT AND HAPPINESS AND REJOICING
In allusion to the above verse taken from Megillat Esther some light candles. The Talmud (Megillah 16b) interprets "rejoicing" to mean circumcision. At a time when an ancient proscription against brit milah caused it to be performed in secret, the light of the candles served as a notice to passers-by that a brit was to take place. Sometimes 13 candles are lit to correspond with the 13 occurences of the word "brit" in Beraishit. 17.
AN IMPORTANT LAW
A brit has to be performed at the prescribed time - on the eighth day - and must take place even on a shabbat or yom tov or Yamim Noraim except when postponed on the advice of the mohel or if the baby was delivered by Caesarian Section.
A THOUGHT FOR DISCUSSION
It is a cultural phenomenon worth pondering that, however neglected other traditional rites and ceremonies of Judaism may be among assimilated Jews of today, the rite of circumcision is, nevertheless, almost universally practised by them upon their infant sons as it is by all religious Jews. MICHAEL PLASKOW, Netanya.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Yisroel Phillips on -
I always get a bit emotional at a bris; it's the one custom that links us directly with Avrohom Oviniu, such a long way back.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Plaskow on -
I wish to reply to Yisroel Phillips who says he gets emotional at a bris. I was a mohel for 37 years and was emotional on one occasion. The mother was Jewish but not the father. Over 100 people were present and he suddenly shouted out, "STOP". I want to say a few words to my son. He took out a two-page letter in which he told his son - and all those present- that he disagreed with this absolutely and was against this barbaric custom. I wish I could tell everybody on your behalf, my son, how you would rather make up your mind later on in life whether you want to be circumcised. But this is being forced on you and maybe against your will. Those present did not know what I would do. I told the father I agreed with him absolutely and if I was in his place, I would feel the same. I told him I respect him. Indeed, if he feels I should not proceed I will obey his wishes. The father replied he was dumbfounded. He thought his message would fall on deaf ears. He did not expect such an answer from me and thought I would be on the side of his wife - she being Jewish. He told me that as I had shown him such respect, I could proceed. They are a happy familyand he is now an honoured member in the Lubavitch community. MICHAEL PLASKOW, Netanya
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