A bris is a reminder of our eternal covenant with Hashem, and our responsibility to act accordingly.
“Mazel Tov! It’s a boy!”
As they share their exciting news, the baby’s parents are already planning the next milestone. The Yesod V’shoresh Ha’avodah reminds parents that they should be filled with gratitude for, and anticipation of, the bris milah.
The bris is on the eighth day. If seven symbolizes nature in a world created in seven days, eight symbolizes an event above the natural order. At his bris, the child enters into a covenant with a Nation above nature; the bris is a sign of this special connection. The Shitah Mekubetzes explains that this is one reason the infant is called the “chassan” at his bris, he’s entering into this relationship with Hashem.
The Sefer Hachinuch notes that Hashem deliberately created us as “incomplete,” in need of a bris milah, to remind us that just as we completed ourselves physically, we must spend our lifetime completing ourselves spiritually. The Kaf Hachayim further explains that this mitzvah, which is done with such simchah despite the pain it entails, creates a paradigm for all future mitzvos this child will do.
The parents must take special care to procure a mohel of outstanding repute and yiras Shamayim. They also need to choose the sandek, the person who will hold the baby on his lap during the bris. The father should have in mind that his child should grow to be like the mohel and sandek in their righteousness.
Create a free account to keep reading.
