Why do so many Jews have a Bris?
(the following is an excerpt from the words I shared at the bris of our son)
This week we will read about the mitzvah of circumcision:
This bris is the most observed mitzvah in the Jewish world and is the longest standing mitzvah our People have. Nearly 95% of Jews circumcise their children. Far fewer celebrate a Bar/Bat mitzvah (approx. 65%) and even fewer claim to believe in G‑d. But somehow when it comes to the bris, Jews take heed.
Why? What is it about the bris that has made it the most treasured Jewish practice? It certainly isn’t an enjoyable experience like a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. In fact most children cannot walk for one year’s time after their bris J. So what is the secret of the bris?
The answer is this: Every mitzvah - be it lighting Shabbat candles, eating matza, or putting on teffillin – each of these mitzvahs are performed by the Jew. When it comes to the mitzvah of circumcision, however, the Jew becomes a part of the mitzvah. Allow me to explain.
The Bluzhever Rebbe tells the following story he witnessed in the Janowska Concentration Camp:
“Each morning, the German soldiers would lead us out of the Camp for a long day of hard labor. Each pair of workers had a quota of cut logs. Most could hardly stand up. But they sawed away, knowing that their lives depended upon it; anyone collapsing was killed on the spot.
One day, as I sawed with my partner, I was approached by a weak young woman, 'Rebbe,' she whispered, 'do you have a knife?' I immediately understood. 'My daughter,' I begged, with all the love of my heart, 'Do not take your own life. This is a living hell, but we must never lose hope.' But the woman seemed oblivious. 'A knife, I must have a knife. Now! Before it is too late.'
A guard intruded, 'What did she say to you?' he demanded. Conversing during work could get you shot. 'I asked for a knife,' she said to my horror. She told the guard, 'Give me your knife!' The German, too, guessed her intention and with a devilish smile, gave his knife.
She hurried back to her work station, bent over a bundle of rags. Quickly unraveling it, she took out a newborn. To our astonished eyes she swiftly drew the knife and skillfully circumcised her new baby boy. In a clear voice, she recited, 'Blessed are You, God, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to enter into the covenant of Abraham.’ Turning towards heaven she said: ‘Eight days ago you gave me a child. Neither I nor my child will live much longer. But now when You take him back, he’ll be a complete Jew.”
This is the essence of the bris. It is the declaration that the Jew, G‑d, and His mitzvahs are one and inseparable. It is the affirmation that being a Jew is the dearest, most personal and most precious gift we possess. And it is for this reason that the circumcision is performed on the most personal area of the human body.
This is why each and every Jew - whether or not he/she is fully observant - hears the call of the bris. For each of us possess an inherent piece of G‑d within us. And it is that part of us that calls upon us to enter into the covenant.
This is our essence, this is our calling, and this is our mission.
Let us strengthen, nurture, cultivate, and develop this spark within in us. Let us make it shine bright by adding more mitzvahs today!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick
