Higher
Than Nature
Chassidic
philosophy teaches that the number seven represents the cycle of life, as it is the prominent
number in the order of nature, i.e.
the seven days of creation, the seven days of the week, etc. In this manner,
the number eight represents a superior level to the number seven,
it is "above" and "higher" than nature.
Thus,
a Bris is performed on the eighth day, since it is through the act of the Bris that one attains
the level of 'eight,' surpassing all levels of nature, and embedding upon the body
an ever-lasting bond that surpasses all levels of rationality and limitations
of nature.
The
Eighth Day
In
the Torah portion of Vayeira we learn of Isaac's Bris which
took place when he was eight days old. The Midrash relates
that Isaac and Ishmael argued about who
was more cherished. Ishmael said he was more cherished as he was
circumcised at age 13. Isaac said: "I am more cherished for I was
circumcised when I was but eight days old."
One
can easily understand why Ishmael felt more cherished: at age 13 he was old enough to protest.
That he did not do so was surely reason enough for him to feel superior. But why did
Isaac reason
that he was the more cherished of the two?
The
overall theme of circumcision is, as the verse says: "This shall be
My covenant in your flesh, an eternal covenant." Circumcision effects
an eternal bond between the individual and God. Concerning a covenant formed between two dear friends
there is no ironclad guarantee that the covenant will truly be everlasting, for
mortals are subject to change. When, however, it is God who makes the
covenant - in this case, His covenant with the Jewish people through circumcision
- then it is truly eternal.
The
reason that circumcision is performed at the tender age of eight days - at a time when the infant
has absolutely no say in the matter - may be understood accordingly. Whatever a person
does on his own initiative requires preparation; adequate time must
therefore be
allowed. However, the covenant that is set in motion through circumcision is effected entirely by God. In other words,
circumcision is not an act through
which a person binds himself to God. When a Jew
is circumcised God binds Himself to the person with an "eternal covenant."
Thus,
there is no reason to wait until the infant will come of age and
consciously affirm and participate in this act, for in any event he does nothing at all - the entire
covenant comes from God. He is therefore
circumcised at the earliest age possible.
Thus,
the merit of Isaac's circumcision at eight days surpassed not only that of
Ishmael, but also the circumcision of his father Abraham. For Abraham was commanded to circumcise himself
after he had attained
the highest degree of perfection possible for a created being to achieve on his own. Thus, Abraham's circumcision lacked the
indisputable indication that the covenant, which came as a result of
the circumcision, came entirely from God.
Only
with the circumcision of Isaac, at the age of eight days, was it
clear for all to see that his was a covenant that had nothing whatsoever to do with his created
being, but was entirely dependenton God.
(Adapted from The Chassidic Dimension)
(See
more on The Eighth Day)
