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Concerning Removing the Foreskin
95. Concerning Removing the Foreskin
I heard during a meal celebrating a circumcision, 1943, Jerusalem
Malchut in itself is called “lower Hochma,” and with respect to its connection to Yesod, it is called “faith.” There is a foreskin over the Yesod, whose role is to separate Malchut from Yesod, and not let it connect to Yesod. The foreskin’s power is in picturing faith as dust. This is the meaning of Shechina [Divinity] in the dust.
When that depicting force is removed, and instead, saying that the depicting force is dust, this is called “circumcision,” when the foreskin is cut off and the foreskin is thrown to the dust.
In that state, the Shechina comes out of the dust, and the merit of faith becomes apparent. This is called “redemption,” being rewarded with raising the Shechina from the dust. Hence, we must focus all the work on removing the depicting force, and only faith is considered whole.
“They are meticulous with themselves as much as an olive and as much as an egg.” An “olive” is as the dove said, “I prefer my food as bitter as an olive from heaven.” And the “egg” means that it is lifeless, although a living animal will emerge from it. But in the meantime, no life is seen in it. And they are meticulous with themselves and prefer to work although that situation is like an olive.
Also, when they see no vitality in the work, and all their strength to work is because their sole aim is to raise the Shechina from the dust, then, through this work, they are awarded redemption. Then they see that this meal, which was previously like an olive and an egg, has now become lively and sweet and sublimely pleasant.
This is the meaning of “a converted proselyte is like a newly born child.” At that time, he must keep the state of “covenant,” too, and then he will be glad.
It follows that when the infant is circumcised, although the child is suffering, the guests and the parents are nonetheless happy, since they believe that the boy’s soul is happy. Similarly, in the work of the covenant, we must be happy even though we feel a state of suffering. Nevertheless, we should believe that our soul is happy.
Our whole work should be in gladness. And the evidence to that is from the first commandment man was given to man. The Mitzva is done by the parents, and the parents and the guests are happy. So should be all the Mitzvot that one performs—only in gladness.