Torah from Rabbi Saunders

As I was planning on making a bris yesterday I thought I would talk a little about it and connect it to the Parsha.

Eliyahu HaNavi's attendance at every bris (circumcision ceremony) is deeply rooted in our tradition and carries significant spiritual and historical meaning. Here are key reasons  Eliyahu attends every bris:

1. Witness to the Covenant: The bris milah  is a physical sign of the covenant between Hashem  and the Jewish people, as instituted with Abraham. Eliyahu, known for his zeal in upholding Hashem's covenant, is  present as a witness to this sacred act, ensuring that the covenant is fulfilled.

2. Reaffirmation of Faith: Eliyahu once doubted the steadfastness of the Jewish people's commitment to  Hashem's commandments. To rectify this and reaffirm the ongoing dedication to the covenant, he attends every bris, witnessing the commitment of Jewish families to continue the covenant through the generations.

3. Bearer of Peace, The Rabbis tell us that Pinchos and Eliyahu were the same person. Some say this is literal whilst others say Eliyahu was a reincarnation of Pinchos' soul. In this week's Parsha pinchos received the gift of peace  for his zealous act in killing Zimri and stopping the plague. His presence at the bris embodies the divine promise of peace and eternal priesthood given to his ancestors.

4. Future Redemption: Eliyahu's role in Jewish eschatology as the herald of the coming Moshiach connects his presence to the future redemption. By attending each bris, he symbolizes hope and the future fulfillment of God’s promises.

5. Symbol of the Perpetual Covenant: Each bris renews the covenant between Hashem and the Jewish people. Eliyahu's attendance signifies the timeless and unbroken nature of this covenant, bridging the historical with the spiritual.