Entering the Ranks

The Hebrew word for Circumcision is Brit Milah (the Covenant of Circumcision). When we circumcise our children we are in effect fulfilling their personal covenant with G-d.

Through the Brit they are allowed entry into the ranks of our nation. At this moment they connect with the millions of Jewish souls that have been part of our history in the past and to the countless Jewish souls that are set to be a part of our destiny in the future.

Our forefather Abraham prayed for many years that he be blessed with a child. G-d waited until he was ninety-nine years old and then commanded him to circumcise himself. Subsequently his son Isaac was born.

The Zohar teaches that Abraham was unable to produce an heir, worthy of his exalted position, until he entered into a covenant with G-d. Through circumcision we actually commit our powers of reproduction to the service of G-d.

This Commandment was later incorporated into the Torah and became an integral part of the six hundred and thirteen. We are commanded to circumcise our male children at the tender age of eight days.

We strive to bring our children into G-d’s covenant at the first possible opportunity. However, if the infant was born weak, sick or immature, the Brit must be postponed until the infant is healthy enough.