That’s certainly true when we delve into the deeper interpretations of brit milah, the covenant of circumcision.
We all know the physical act: the circumcision of the male child, a practice stretching back to Abraham himself. But what if that's just one layer of a much richer tradition? Philo of Alexandria, a Jewish philosopher from the first century, certainly thought so. And he wasn't alone.
Philo, in his writings, points to a "twofold circumcision." One, the familiar circumcision "of the flesh," performed on the genitals. The other, and perhaps more profound, a circumcision "of the male creature" itself. Now, what does that even mean?
Philo explains that the "masculine" aspect within us is actually our intellect. Think about that for a moment. Our capacity for thought, for reason, that's what's truly powerful and, in a sense, "male" within us. But just like the physical body, our intellect can also be overgrown, cluttered with "superfluous shoots" – wicked thoughts, vile ambitions.
So, what are we meant to do? Prune them! Cast them off!
This second circumcision, then, is the process of cleansing and purifying our minds, freeing them from wickedness so that they can truly worship God. It’s about becoming a priest within ourselves, offering our purest thoughts and intentions to the Divine.
Where does Philo find support for this idea? He points to a direct command from God: "Circumcise the hardness of your hearts." This isn’t about surgery, of course. It's a call to excise the stubborn, rebellious thoughts that hold us back. As we find in Deuteronomy 10:16 and Jeremiah 4:4, this concept of spiritual circumcision appears in the Torah and Prophets.
By removing these mental obstacles, we liberate our "most important part," our intellect, allowing it to connect with the Divine in a more profound way. It's a powerful image, isn't it? A constant reminder that our spiritual journey isn't just about outward acts but about the inner work of refining our thoughts and intentions.
So, the next time you think about brit milah, remember Philo's insight. Consider the deeper meaning, the ongoing work of circumcising the heart. Are there "superfluous shoots" in your own thoughts that need pruning? It's a question worth pondering, a lifelong task that brings us closer to the Divine.