Hi,

Hope you’re having a great day!

The Jewish People have been around for a very long time.

And when we do things like Shabbat or Jewish holidays?

We should feel part of a chain going back to Mount Sinai.

Over 3300 years ago.

And we should be inspired!

… But there’s is a Jewish tradition that goes back even further.

Circumcision!   (Genesis, 17: 7-12)

G-d makes a covenant with Abraham and his descendants for all times

He tells Abraham to circumcise himself.

And that in the future, all Jewish boys should be circumcised on the eight day.

Next time we celebrate a Bris, a circumcision?

We should say, “Wow”!

The Jewish People have been doing this for close to 4000 years!

… A Roman officer once challenged Rabbi Akiva, one of the great Rabbis of the Talmud.

‘If G-d wanted you to be circumcised, why didn’t He make you that way?

Do you think you can improve on G-d’s work”?

Rabbi Akiva’s answer?

“What is tastier, raw wheat or a piece of bread?

But G-d didn’t make bread.  He made wheat”!

… Rabbi Akiva was giving the Jewish perspective on our place in this world.

G-d created the world.  But He didn’t finish it.

He left that up to us.

And when we take wheat and make bread?

We become G-d’s partners in Creation.

… And that’s what circumcision symbolizes.

Human beings are unique.

G-d made our bodies just like an animal’s.

But He gave us a neshama.  A soul.

Which gives us the ability to elevate our lives.  To bring spirituality into it.

And it gives us the ability to bring spirituality into the world.

…G-d says, “I started.  Please finish the job”!

Circumcision expresses that we accept the challenge.

It says that we want to make ourselves holy.

And that we want to be partners with G-d!

 All the best,