Rabbi Yishmael and Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Yishmael says: Abraham was a High Priest, as it is stated: “The Lord has taken an oath and will not renounce it: You are a priest forever…” (Psalms 110:4),24This Psalm is often expounded as a reference to Abraham. and it is stated elsewhere: “You shall circumcise the flesh of your orla” (Genesis 17:11). [Abraham wondered,] from where should he become circumcised?
If he would become circumcised from the ear,25Cutting off a piece of flesh near the ear. he would be unfit to perform sacrifices; if from the mouth, he would be unfit to perform sacrifices; if from the heart, he would be unfit to perform sacrifices. From where could he become circumcised and still be fit to sacrifice? You must say, it is the orla of the body.26The foreskin. Rabbi Akiva says: There are four kinds of orla [in the Scriptures].
Orla is stated regarding the ear: “Behold their ear is blocked [orla]” (Jeremiah 6:10). Orla is stated regarding the mouth: “I am a man of obstructed [aral] lips” (Exodus 6:30). Orla is stated regarding the heart: “The entire house of Israel is uncircumcised of heart [arelei lev]” (Jeremiah 9:25). And orla is stated regarding the body: “An uncircumcised [arel] male” (Genesis 17:14).
It was said to him: “Walk before Me, and be faultless.” If he would become circumcised from the ear, he would not be faultless; if from the mouth, he would not be faultless; if from the heart, he would not be faultless. From where could he become circumcised and be faultless? You must say, it is from the orla of the body.
Mikra27The name of a rabbi. In manuscripts: Nakra or Nagda. said: [It is written:] “One who is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations” (Genesis 17:12). If he would become circumcised from the ear, he would not be able to hear; if from the mouth, he would not be able to speak; if from the heart, he would not be able to think. From where could he become circumcised and still be able to think [and speak and hear]?
This is the orla of the body. Rabbi Tanḥuma said: It is a logical inference from this verse: “An uncircumcised male” (Genesis 17:14). Is there such a thing as an uncircumcised female? It is, rather, [to teach you that] from the place where it is recognizable whether a person is male or female, it is there that one circumcises him.