B"H
Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 6, 5785 / November 7, 2024
The Torah and mitzvot were given to the Jewish people, after the Exodus from Egypt, when they stood at Mount Sinai.
Although most of the mitzvot were recorded later in the Torah, yet, they were all given at Mount Sinai and even hinted in the Ten Commandments, according to many sages.
In this Parsha, Lech Lecha, we find a special mitzvah which was given to Abraham, four hundred years before the Giving of the Torah. This special mitzvah is the mitzvah of Milah-circumcision.
Jews have observed the mitzvah of circumcision throughout the generations for over three and a half thousand years. Not only do we observe this mitzvah as we do other mitzvot, but it is observed with much celebration and great joy.
At the Brit-Milah (circumcision) a bond and covenant is formed between the child and G-d.At the Brit we give the baby his Hebrew name. Every Brit is linked to our forefather, Abraham. It is also reflected in the blessing which the father of the baby recites at the Brit, “Blessed are you G-d, our G-d, King of the universe, that You have sanctified us with the mitzvah of bringing him into the Brit-covenant of our forefather, Abraham.”
Usually we recite the special blessing of Shecheyanu over mitzvot which are not performed regularly, only on special occasions, like on the holidays etc. But with the mitzvah of circumcision, although it’s once in a lifetime mitzvah, there are different opinions whether the Shecheyanu is recited.
Some say that this blessing should also be recited just like with other mitzvot which don’t come regularly.
But other rabbis are of the opinion that the Shecheyanu blessing is recited only for mitzvot which bring complete joy to the person; like the holiday mitzvot, or when eating a new seasonal fruit, which is available only once a year. But the mitzvah of circumcision, although, it is one of the greatest mitzvot, yet, there is pain to the child; and thus, the blessing of Shecheyanu is not appropriate.
Q. Why is the child’s name given at the Brit?
A. In this week’s Parsha (chapter 17), when G-d commands Abraham about the mitzvah of circumcision, He also says to him, “Your name shall no longer be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham. In connection with his Brit, G-d changed his name from Abram to Abraham – adding the letter “hei” to his name. This is why we too name the baby at his Brit.
* The numerical value of the Hebrew word “Brit” is 612 (2+200+10+400=612). There are 613 mitzvot in the Torah. After the Brit, which is a mitzvah performed only once in a lifetime, there are 612 mitzvot left for the child to perform throughout his lifetime.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW