Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), Class One. 1) RaMbaM Just how important is the Bris Mila, it separates us from others and thirteen Brisos were written in regards to it 2) Midrash The Bris corrects an inexactitude in the “perfect body” G-d made, the controversy regarding this is self-evident.
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), Class One
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), Class Two. The Rambam (More NIvuchim 3, 49) disagrees with this Midrash (explained by the RaSag) he cannot accept that what Hashem made isn’t perfect, it is only that we cannot handle the perfection. He introduces his (first of two) reason for Bris, it is to diminish and curb the Ta’ava (lust).
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), Class Two
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), Class Three. RaMbaM continued. The second reason for the Bris, is, that as the Bris separates us from the rest it also acts as a unifying force among us. An undeniable marker: who is a Jew. We introduced the Alter Rebbe (Tanya letters 4) at the end of the class: Mila and Priah.
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), Class Three
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), Class Four. Two circumcisions: one we can do, so we must do one out own; the second we cannot do so He does it for us. When one Davens he is in a position to affect in himself BOTH (!!!) levels of Bris. So, when we daven we can and must do the spiritual equivalent of Mila and Priah. He explains how this is כי הוא חייך in loftiest sense of the words.
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), Class Four
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), ClassFive. Mila and Priah through giving Tzedaka; we explored Tzedaka pretty good.
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), ClassFive
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), ClassSix. Torah Ohr (the “Bris” Ma’amar) Bietzem Hayom Hazeh, Avrohom waited to be told to do circumcision because he wanted at “Mila HaElyona” (the higher Bris) above Havaya that must be mandated from heaven.
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), ClassSix.
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), ClassSeven. This oral lecture introduces the notion of ביטול הגזירה to the discussion. After Hashem gave the Torah the divide was breached but before there was a separation between high and low. The one exception by Avrohom was Bris Mila which is why he used it as a חפצא של מצוה וקדושה when he needed one. דירה בתחתונים and how עצמות is in the physical were also explored in this class.
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), ClassSeven.
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), ClassEight. We read Likutei Sichos vol 3 page 757 ff inside. It is a Mitzvah that 1) pervades the physical 2) continues indefinitely. Avrohom waited to be told so it should be the מעשה אבות סימן לבנים for all the Mitzvos we do after Mattan Torah.
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), ClassEight.
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), ClassNine. 1) End of Sicha. 2) Pirush HaMishnayos RaMbaM Chulin Ch 7: we don’t learn any Mitzvah from their record (in the Torah) before Mattan Torah (Parshas Bo), Question why is the Bracha for Bris Mila connected to Avrohom Avinu. Two Sichos, two answers. 1) Likutei Sichos vol 10 page 44 ff. Every child is the first.
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), ClassNine.
Bris Mila (Yeshiva 5781/ 2020), ClassTen. 2) Second Sicha: the idea of Mesiras Nefesh is the highest (of the three levels) of Bris Mila. This is above the idea of “higher and lower” and before and after Mattan Torah are equal.