B"H
Monday, Mar-Cheshvan 15, 5781 / November 2, 2020
At the end of last week’s Parsha, Lech Lecha, we read that Abraham was circumcised at the age of ninety nine, while his son, Yishmael, was circumcised at age thirteen.
In this week's Parsha, Vayeira, the Torah relates the miracle of Yitzchak's birth to Sarah (at age 90) and Abraham (at age 100). Yitzchak was the first one to be circumcised at eight days.
"Brit Milah" - "circumcision" is a covenant between G-d and the Jewish people: "And G-d said to Abraham; You shall keep My covenant, you, and your children after you throughout their generations... This is My covenant, which you shall keep... You shall circumcise among you every male... And it shall be for a covenant between Me and between you..."
The word "covenant" ("Brit") is mentioned thirteen times in connection with this mitzvah!Our sages say, "From this we see the greatness of the mitzvah of circumcision.”
Q. Was Abraham the first one to be circumcised? What about Adam and Noach?
A. Abraham was the first one who was given the mitzvah to perform the act of circumcision. However, according to our sages, the following people who lived before Abraham were born circumcised: Adam, Seth, Chanoch. Noach, Shem and Abraham's fatherTerach.
Q.At the Brit it is customary to set up two chairs. One chair is designated for the Sandek, the one who holds the baby while the Brit is performed. The other chair is called, "Kisei shel Eliyahu" - "Elijah's chair." It is reserved for the prophet Eliyahu (Elijah). Before the Brit, the baby is placed upon Elijah's chair. Why is it customary to have a special chair for Eliyahu?
A. In Biblical times, Ach'av, King of Israel, under the influence of his wife Izevel (Jezebel), banned circumcision throughout his land. Eliyahu the Prophet, saddened at this turn of events, retired to a cave and complained to G-d that His people had deserted G-d's covenant (Kings I 19:10-14).
G-d ordered Eliyahu to be present at every circumcision so that he should witness the Jewish people's careful observance of this Mitzvah. In Eliyahu's honor we provide a special chair for him at every Brit.
Q. At the end of the Brit everyone blesses the child, "Just as he entered into the Brit so may he enter into Torah, into marriage and into good deeds." What is the meaning of this blessing?
A. Just as the act of the Brit is permanent and everlasting, so too, the child's Torah study, marriage and good deedsshould be permanent and everlasting.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY