Lech Lecha: Back to the Basics: Signs: The Ten Commandments’ Moment

I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes I saw the sign

Ace of Base

In that moment, I didn’t see the sign. I didn’t want to. It was one of the greatest moments of my life and I couldn’t watch. Not only did I have the best seat in the house, I was the seat. In my lap sat the guest of honor. As he laid there reclining, I averted my eyes as the mohel learned in; and in a second, it was over. I missed it!

A baby’s precious cry filled the room followed by a chorus of “mazel tov.” An approximate 4000-year-old tradition continued. It was an unstoppable generational tradition powered by bagels, lox and cream cheese with the Torah Portion Lech Lecha serving as the celebration’s blueprint. As much as there is a joy in seeing a rainbow, or the pleasure from experiencing the Sabbath, the Brit Milah- the circumcision of an eight-day-old boy- is arguably the most special of covenant signs: the one of Abraham’s covenant.

Covenant Signs

After the flood, God’s sign for the Noahide covenant was the rainbow. In Lech Lecha, God’s covenant with Abraham was that he would become the father of a multitude of nations. Genesis 17:4. With this, the covenant’s sign was circumcision. The Sabbath was designated as the sign for the Children of Israel’s covenant with God to be a holy nation. Exodus 31:17; 19:6.

Like the Sabbath sign, the act of circumcision came with instructions laid out in Lech Lecha. By implication, the commandment revealed the act’s significance within the Torah’s scheme.

The Portion Lech Lecha

In the Torah Portion Lech Lecha, as a sign of the covenant, Abraham was to have his foreskin circumcised as a sign of the covenant between God and him. This tradition was to continue. Abraham was instructed by God: “And at eight days old every male shall be circumcised among you through your generations” Genesis 17:12.

 “Remember the Sabbath day, to make it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, and the seventh day is the Sabbath to the Lord, your God. You shall not do any work. Exodus 20:8-10

The circumcision provision on its face sparks controversy. Given the time certain for the event to take place, it is possible that a circumcision may be required to take place on the Sabbath. This dilemma revealed the Brit Milah’s important. In Judaism, the circumcision takes precedence; are permitted to take place on the Sabbath. See Mishnah Shabbat 12:5.

Can a non-theological rationale as to circumcision’s importance as far as ?

Sign Analysis

Circumcision’s importance as a sign can best be realized when comparing it to the two other signs. Rainbows- depending on rain- come and go. They can be experienced multiple times over one’s lifetime. The Sabbath is a consistent sign occurring like clock- work every week. A Brit Milah, however, is a once in a lifetime event; an arguable reenactment of a multi-millennium-old event. The event’s product is forevermore something not intended for public viewing.

With that, the sign’s value, in modern thought, is scarcity based. With this notion, to be present at a Brit Milah is a once in a lifetime event that leaves an indelible mark.

Conclusion

The Portion Lech Lecha perhaps offers up the sign of all Torah covenant signs. Circumcision amounts to a once in a lifetime event reenacting a custom from 4000 years prior. Its taking precedence over the Sabbath proves its significance within the Torah scheme.

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