Is a mitzvah worth a miracle?

Hi,

The comment below is in response to a Talmudic suggestion (Yevamot 71b-72a) that the Jews in the wilderness between Egypt and Israel did not circumcise their sons because of concern for the heat. The normally mitigating north wind did not blow, lest it disturb the protective Clouds of Glory that Gd had sent.

"One might say, 'Gd could have had the north wind blow without scattering the clouds of glory, and so the mitzvah of circumcision would not have been cancelled.' It is true that no tactic is beyond Gd, but Gd indeed instructed that circumcision be performed at eight days, and yet He was silent and He did not instruct them to circumcise those born during those years, for the mitzvah was not thereby cancelled, but only postponed until later.

"Gd would not alter the way of the world to avoid delaying a mitzvah; even though Gd does change the way of the world somewhat for certain miracles, in splitting the Red Sea and the Jordan and in halting the Sun, He does not do this for most miracles. Even in military victories and in helping those who love Him, he does it via a [natural] cause…"

(Radak to Yehoshua 5:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

No iron on the altar

Hi,

The Torah disqualifies stones that have been cut with iron from use for the mizbeiach [altar for offerings to Gd]; according to Sefer haChinuch, this is the fortieth mitzvah in the Torah. There is some debate as to whether we may use stones that were cut before their dedication, but certainly we may not use iron tools to shape the stones once they have been dedicated. (See Tosafot Succah 49a and Minchat Chinuch 40:2.)

Sefer haChinuch explains that iron symbolizes the spilling of blood, as well as general destruction; it is inappropriate to build an altar, the locus of atonement and the site at which blessings and peace are generated, with a destructive tool.

It is noteworthy that we do use iron for other mitzvot. For example, the Rambam ruled that the ideal material for a circumcision knife is iron (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Milah 2:1; see Perishah to Tur Yoreh Deah 264:7 and Chatam Sofer to Shabbat 134b for fascinating related comments).

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Are mitzvot good for the Jews?

Hi,

"Once the government decreed that Jews not observe Shabbat or circumcise their children, and that husbands and wives not observe the laws of family purity. R' Reuven ben Istrobili went and took the aristocratic style of haircut and sat among the government leaders.

"He said to them: If someone has an enemy, does he want the enemy to become poor or wealthy?

"They said: He wants the enemy to become poor.

"He said to them: Then let them abstain from work on Shabbat so that they will become poor!

"They said: You spoke well; cancel the decree. And they cancelled it.

"He then said to them: If someone has an enemy, does he want the enemy to become weak or strong?

"They said: He wants the enemy to become weak.

"He said to them: Then let them circumcise their children at eight days, so that they will become weak!

"They said: You spoke well; cancel the decree. And they cancelled it.

"He then said to them: If someone has an enemy, does he want the enemy to become many or few?

"They said: He wants the enemy to become few.

"He said to them: Then let them refrain from living together when she is a niddah!

"They said: You spoke well; cancel the decree. And they cancelled it."

(Talmud, Meilah 17a)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

The mitzvah of circumcision

Hi,

The second mitzvah in the Torah is that of brit milah, circumcision. This was originally taught to Avraham, but the Rambam pointed out (Peirush haMishnayot, Chullin, perek Gid haNasheh) that it was reiterated in Parshat Tazria, after the Torah was given, to demonstrate that it would be binding for the Jewish people post-Sinai as well.

Why did HaShem command us to circumcise Jewish males? The Sefer haChinuch suggests that one purpose of this Mitzvah is to physically mark the Jewish people as unique, just as our mitzvah obligations mark us as spiritually unique.

 
One might well ask why HaShem did not do this Himself, creating Jewish males with a natural circumcision, but HaShem has Man do it in order that he learn that just as a person can complete his body with his deeds (such as circumcision), so a person can complete his soul with his deeds.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The importance of circumcision

Hi,

"Come and see how important the Mitzvah of circumcision is - Our master Moshe was not allowed to delay this mitzvah for even an hour, even though he was then travelling on the road. (When Moshe delayed, Gd sent a serpent to kill him. Only Moshe's wife Tzipporah saved him, as she took quick action to begin the circumcision. This is found in Sh'mot 4:24-26.)

"Further, all of the Torah's laws were sealed with three covenants, but regarding circumcision the Torah stated 13 covenants."

(Rambam, Laws of Circumcision 3:9)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Mitzvot of Pesach - Korban Pesach and Brit Milah

Hi,

The korban pesach symbolizes our rejection of Egyptian lamb-worship and our acceptance of HaShem, which includes the message HaShem taught Avraham and Sarah, and the brit milah covenant. Therefore, an arel (an uncircumcised male) may not eat from the korban pesach, and neither may his parents. This is the 17th mitzvah recorded by the Sefer haChinuch.

Interestingly, the talmudic sage Rava (Yevamot 71b) says that an arel's mother also may not eat from the korban pesach, even though only the arel's father is obligated to circumcise him. Maharsha explained that this is because the brit milah requirement for korban pesach is not a law regarding brit milah; it's a function of the korban pesach, a requirement that we confirm our commitment to the brit of Avraham before we may participate in our national redemption. This applies to both parents.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Divine mercy and circumcision

Hi,

"And why is a child circumcised at eight days? Gd had mercy on him, to wait until he has strength."

(Midrash, Devarim Rabbah 6:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The importance of circumcision

Hi,

"Circumcision is so important that if not for this mitzvah, Gd would not have created His world, as it is written, 'If not for My covenant, day and night, I would not have emplaced the laws of heaven and earth.'"

(Talmud, Nedarim 31b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai