It’s a question that’s been pondered for millennia, and the answers, well, they’re as layered and fascinating as the tradition itself.

The Torah tells us in Genesis 17:11 that God commands Abraham to circumcise all males as a sign of the covenant. But why only males? The Midrash of Philo dives deep into this very question, offering some compelling perspectives.

Philo, a Jewish philosopher from Alexandria, writing in the 1st century CE, contrasts the Jewish practice with that of the Egyptians. He notes that the Egyptians circumcised both bride and groom when they reached puberty. But the “divine legislator,” as Philo calls God, designates circumcision for the male alone. Why?

Firstly, says Philo, it’s about curbing the passions. He argues that men experience stronger sexual desires than women. Therefore, circumcision serves as a way to moderate the "superfluous impetuosity" of the male. It's a control, a reminder.

But there’s a second, perhaps more intriguing reason rooted in the perceived roles in procreation. According to Philo, the male is the "immediate maker and cause of the son," while the female contributes the "material." Because the male plays what was then considered the more active and essential role in generation, God "deservedly represses his pride" through circumcision. The female, being the "inactive" cause, doesn’t display the same degree of ambition and therefore doesn’t require the same symbolic act.

Now, let's unpack this a bit. It’s important to remember the historical context. Philo’s views reflect the societal norms and scientific understanding of his time. Today, we understand the roles of men and women in reproduction very differently. But what endures is the underlying concept of humility and the curbing of ego.

Philo doesn’t stop there. He extends the metaphor beyond the physical. He suggests that our intellect, our capacity for thought, also needs "circumcision." In this context, circumcision means cutting away "superfluous shoots," which he identifies as "empty opinions and all the actions which are done in accordance with them."

Think about that for a moment. We all carry around unnecessary baggage – preconceived notions, biases, and prideful assumptions. Philo argues that true understanding, true wisdom, comes from shedding these things, from circumcising our minds so that we only hold onto what is "necessary and useful."

He even connects this to our vision, saying the eyes are "circumcised as if they did not see." In other words, we must learn to see beyond the surface, to look past our prejudices and assumptions, to perceive the world with clarity and humility.

So, what does all this mean for us today? While the literal act of circumcision remains a central tenet of Jewish tradition, the Midrash of Philo invites us to consider its deeper meaning. It challenges us to examine our own impulses, our own biases, and our own egos. It asks us: What "superfluous shoots" are we clinging to? What can we cut away to live with greater clarity, humility, and purpose?

Perhaps, in the end, the question isn't just why males are circumcised, but how we can all, in our own ways, circumcise our hearts and minds.