Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we learn about the everlasting covenant that Hashem establishes with Avraham and his offspring. Hashem promises to be their Elokim and to give them the land of Canaan as an eternal inheritance. To seal this holy bond, Hashem commands Avraham regarding the mitzvah of bris milah, which must be performed on every male child at eight days old, as well as on servants born in the house or bought with money.

We also see Hashem changing Sarai's name to Sarah and promising that she will give birth to a son, Yitzchak, through whom the covenant will be established. Although Avraham asks that Ishmael should also find favor and live before Hashem, Hashem makes it clear that while Ishmael will be blessed and become a great nation, the true covenant is davka with Yitzchak.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

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וַהֲקִמֹתִיAnd I will establishאֶת—בְּרִיתִיMy covenantבֵּינִיbetween Meוּבֵינֶךָand between youוּבֵיןand betweenזַרְעֲךָyour offspringאַחֲרֶיךָafter youלְדֹרֹתָםfor their generationsלִבְרִיתfor a covenantעוֹלָםeverlastingלִהְיוֹתto beלְךָto youלֵאלֹהִיםfor a Godוּלְזַרְעֲךָand to your offspringאַחֲרֶיךָ׃after you

רַשִׁ״י

והקמתיAnd I will establishאת—בריתי.My covenantוּמַהand whatהִיאisהַבְּרִית?the covenantלִהְיוֹתto beלְךָto youלֵאלֹהִים:for a God

פָּסוּק ב

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וְנָתַתִּיAnd I will giveלְךָto youוּלְזַרְעֲךָand to your offspringאַחֲרֶיךָafter youאֵת—אֶרֶץthe land ofמְגֻרֶיךָyour sojourningsאֵת—כָּלall ofאֶרֶץthe land ofכְּנַעַןKenaanלַאֲחֻזַּתfor a possession ofעוֹלָםeternityוְהָיִיתִיand I will beלָהֶםto themלֵאלֹהִים׃for a God

רַשִׁ״י

לאחזתfor a possession ofעולם.eternityוְשָׁםand thereאֶהְיֶהI will beלָכֶםto youלֵאלֹהִים,for a Godאֲבָלbutהַדָּרone who dwellsבְּחוּצָהoutsideלָאָרֶץof the Landדּוֹמֶהis similarכְמִיto oneשֶׁאֵיןwho has notלוֹto himאֱלוֹהַּ:a God

פָּסוּק ג

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וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶלtoאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוְאַתָּהand youאֶת—בְּרִיתִיMy covenantתִשְׁמֹרshall keepאַתָּהyouוְזַרְעֲךָand your offspringאַחֲרֶיךָafter youלְדֹרֹתָם׃throughout their generations

רַשִׁ״י

ואתה.And as for theeוָי"וthe letter vavזוֹthisמוֹסִיףaddsעַלuponעִנְיָןthe matterרִאשׁוֹן,precedingאֲנִיIהִנֵּהbeholdבְרִיתִיMy covenantאִתָּךְ,with theeוְאַתָּהand as for theeהֱוֵיbeזָהִירcarefulלְשָׁמְרוֹ,to keep itוּמַהand whatהִיאisשְׁמִירָתוֹ?its keepingזֹאתthisבְּרִיתִיis My covenantאֲשֶׁרwhichתִּשְׁמְרוּye shall keepהִמּוֹלbe circumcisedלָכֶםamongst youוְגוֹ':etc

פָּסוּק ד

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זֹאתThisבְּרִיתִיis My covenantאֲשֶׁרwhichתִּשְׁמְרוּyou shall keepבֵּינִיbetween Meוּבֵינֵיכֶםand between youוּבֵיןand betweenזַרְעֲךָyour offspringאַחֲרֶיךָafter youהִמּוֹלto be circumcisedלָכֶםamong youכָּלeveryזָכָר׃male

רַשִׁ״י

ביניBetween meוביניכםand between youוגו'.etc.אוֹתָםthoseשֶׁלofעַכְשָׁו:now

רַשִׁ״י

וביןand betweenזרעךyour seedאחריך.after youהָעֲתִידִיןwho are destinedלְהִוָּלֵד:to be born

רַשִׁ״י

המול.to be circumcisedכְּמוֹis likeלְהִמּוֹל,to be circumcisedכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁאַתָּהthat youאוֹמֵרsayעֲשׂוֹת,to doכְּמוֹis likeלַעֲשׂוֹת:to do

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וּנְמַלְתֶּםAnd you shall circumciseאֵת—בְּשַׂרthe flesh ofעָרְלַתְכֶםyour foreskinוְהָיָהand it shall beלְאוֹתfor a sign ofבְּרִיתa covenantבֵּינִיbetween Meוּבֵינֵיכֶם׃and between you

רַשִׁ״י

ונמלתם.and you shall circumciseכְּמוֹis likeוּמַלְתֶּם,and you shall circumciseוְהַנּוּ"ןand the Nunבּוֹin itיְתֵרָהis extraלִיסוֹדto the rootהַנּוֹפֵלthat falls awayבּוֹfrom itלִפְרָקִים,at timesכְּגוֹןsuch asנ'the Nunשֶׁלofנוֹשֵׁךְbitingונ'and the Nunשֶׁלofנוֹשֵׂא,carryingוּנְמַלְתֶּם,and you shall circumciseכְּמוֹis likeוּנְשָׂאתֶם;and you shall carryאֲבָלbutיִמּוֹלshall be circumcisedלְשׁוֹןis a form ofיִפָּעֵל,Niphalכְּמוֹlikeיֵעָשֶׂה,it shall be doneיֵאָכֵל:it shall be eaten

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וּבֶןAnd a son ofשְׁמֹנַתeightיָמִיםdaysיִמּוֹלshall be circumcisedלָכֶםfor youכָּלeveryזָכָרmaleלְדֹרֹתֵיכֶםthroughout your generationsיְלִידone born ofבָּיִתthe houseוּמִקְנַתand a purchase ofכֶּסֶףmoneyמִכֹּלfrom anyבֶּןson ofנֵכָרa strangerאֲשֶׁרwhoלֹאis notמִזַּרְעֲךָof your offspringהוּא׃he

רַשִׁ״י

ילידOne born ofבית.the houseשֶׁיְּלָדַתּוּwhom she bore himהַשִּׁפְחָהthe handmaidבַּבַּיִת:in the house

רַשִׁ״י

מקנתthe purchase ofכסף.moneyשֶׁקְּנָאוֹwhom he boughtמִשֶּׁנּוֹלַד:after he was born

פָּסוּק ז

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הִמּוֹלcircumcisedיִמּוֹלshall surely beיְלִידone born inבֵּיתְךָyour houseוּמִקְנַתand the purchase ofכַּסְפֶּךָyour moneyוְהָיְתָהand shall beבְרִיתִיMy covenantבִּבְשַׂרְכֶםin your fleshלִבְרִיתfor a covenantעוֹלָם׃everlasting

רַשִׁ״י

המולcircumcisedימולmust be circumcisedילידone born ofביתך.your houseכָּאןhereכָּפַלHe repeatedעָלָיוconcerning itוְלֹאand notאָמַרdid He sayלִשְׁמוֹנָהat eightיָמִיםdaysלְלַמֶּדְךָto teach youשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isיְלִידone born ofבַּיִתa houseנִמּוֹלwho is circumcisedלְאַחַרafterשְׁמוֹנָהeightיָמִיםdaysס"אother booksלְאֶחָדon day oneכְּמוֹasשֶׁמְּפֹרָשׁit is explainedבְּמַסֶּכֶתin TractateשַׁבָּתShabbosדףpageקל"ה135ב'b:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וְעָרֵלAnd an uncircumcisedזָכָרmaleאֲשֶׁרwhoלֹאnotיִמּוֹלwill circumciseאֶת—בְּשַׂרthe flesh ofעָרְלָתוֹhis foreskinוְנִכְרְתָהand shall be cut offהַנֶּפֶשׁthe soulהַהִואthatמֵעַמֶּיהָfrom its peopleאֶת—בְּרִיתִיMy covenantהֵפַר׃he has broken

רַשִׁ״י

וערלAnd the uncircumcisedזכר.maleכָּאןhereלִמֵּדit taughtשֶׁהַמִּילָהthat circumcisionבְּאוֹתוֹis in thatמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁהוּאthat isנִכָּרdistinguishableבֵּיןbetweenזָכָרmaleלִנְקֵבָהto femaleבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

אשרWhoלאdoes notימול.circumcise himselfמִשֶּׁיַּגִּיעַfrom when he reachesלִכְלַלthe category ofעֳנָשִׁיןpunishmentsוְנִכְרְתָה;and he shall be cut offאֲבָלbutאָבִיוhis fatherאֵיןis notעָנוּשׁpunishedעָלָיוon his accountכָּרֵת,with karesאֲבָלbutעוֹבֵרtransgressesבַּעֲשֵׂה:a positive commandment

רַשִׁ״י

ונכרתהand shall be cut offהנפש.the soulהוֹלֵךְhe goesעֲרִירִיchildlessוּמֵתand diesקֹדֶםbeforeזְמַנּוֹhis timeשבתShabbosכ"ד24:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶלtoאַבְרָהָםAvrahamשָׂרַיSaraiאִשְׁתְּךָyour wifeלֹאnotתִקְרָאshall you callאֶת—שְׁמָהּher nameשָׂרָיSaraiכִּיbutשָׂרָהSarahשְׁמָהּ׃her name

רַשִׁ״י

לאnotתקראshall you callאת—שמהher nameשרי.Saraiדְּמַשְׁמַעwhich impliesשָׂרַי,my princessלִיto meוְלֹאand notלְאַחֵרִים,to othersכיbutשרהSarahסְתָםgenerallyשְׁמָהּ,her nameשֶׁתְּהֵאthat she shall beשָׂרָהa princessעַלoverכֹּלallברכותBerakhotי"ג13:

פָּסוּק י

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וּבֵרַכְתִּיAnd I will blessאֹתָהּ— herוְגַםand alsoנָתַתִּיI will giveמִמֶּנָּהfrom herלְךָto youבֵּןa sonוּבֵרַכְתִּיהָand I will bless herוְהָיְתָהand she shall becomeלְגוֹיִםnationsמַלְכֵיkings ofעַמִּיםpeoplesמִמֶּנָּהfrom herיִהְיוּ׃shall be

רַשִׁ״י

וברכתיAnd I will blessאותה.herוּמַהAnd whatהִיאisהַבְּרָכָה?the blessingשֶׁחָזְרָהthat she returnedלְנַעֲרוּתָהּ,to her youthfulnessשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidהָיְתָהshall there beלִּיto meעֶדְנָהrejuvenationבר'Bereshisי"חeighteen:

רַשִׁ״י

וברכתיה.And I will bless herבַּהֲנָקַתwith the nursing ofשָׁדַיִםbreastsכְּשֶׁנִּצְרְכָהwhen she neededלְכָךְthisבְּיוֹםon the day ofמִשְׁתֶּהthe feast ofשֶׁלofיִצְחָק,Yitzchakשֶׁהָיוּfor they wereמְרַנְּנִיןspeaking spitefullyעֲלֵיהֶםabout themשֶׁהֵבִיאוּthat they broughtאֲסוּפִיa foundlingמִןfromהַשּׁוּקthe streetוְאוֹמְרִיםand sayingבְּנֵנוּour sonהוּא,he isוְהֵבִיאָהand she broughtכָלeveryאַחַתoneבְּנָהher sonעִמָּהּwith herוּמֵנִקְתָּהּbut her wet-nurseלֹאnotהֵבִיאָה,she broughtוְהִיאand sheהֵנִיקָהsuckledאֶת—כֻּלָּם;all of themהוּאthis isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat which is saidהֵינִיקָהhas given suck toבָנִיםchildrenשָׂרָה,Sarahבְּ"רIn Bereishis Rabbahרְמָזוֹit alluded to itבְּמִקְצָת:in part

פָּסוּק יא

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וַיִּפֹּלAnd he fellאַבְרָהָםAvrahamעַלuponפָּנָיוhis faceוַיִּצְחָקand he laughedוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidבְּלִבּוֹin his heartהַלְּבֶןshall to a son ofמֵאָהa hundredשָׁנָהyearsיִוָּלֵדbe bornוְאִםand ifשָׂרָהSarahהֲבַתshall a daughter ofתִּשְׁעִיםninetyשָׁנָהyearsתֵּלֵד׃give birth

רַשִׁ״י

ויפלAnd he fellאברהםAvrahamעלuponפניוhis faceויצחק.and he laughedזֶהthisתִּ"אֻ,Onkelos translatedלְשׁוֹןan expression ofשִׂמְחָה,joyוַחֲדִי,and he rejoicedוְשֶׁלand that ofשָׂרָהSarahלְשׁוֹןan expression ofמָחוֹךְ;laughterלָמַדְתָּyou learnשֶׁאַבְרָהָםthat Avrahamהֶאֱמִיןbelievedוְשָׂמַחand rejoicedוְשָׂרָהand Sarahלֹאdid notהֶאֱמִינָהbelieveוְלִגְלְגָה,and sneeredוְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁהִקְפִּידthat was particularהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy OneעַלwithשָׂרָהSarahוְלֹאand did notהִקְפִּידmindעַלwithאַבְרָהָם:Avraham

רַשִׁ״י

הלבן.Shall to a hundredיֵשׁthere areתְּמִיהוֹתquestionsשֶׁהֵןthat theyקַיָּמוֹת,affirmativeכְּמוֹlikeהֲנִגְלֹהDid indeedנִגְלֵיתִי?I reveal MyselfשמואלShmuelאIב'chapter 2,הֲרֹאֶהDo you seeאַתָּהyouיח'Yechezkelח'chapter 8,אַףso tooזוֹthisהִיאit isקַיֶּמֶת;affirmativeוְכָךְand thusאָמַרhe saidבְּלִבּוֹ,in his heartהֲנַעֲשָׂהhas there been doneחֶסֶדkindnessזֶהthisלְאַחֵר,to anotherמַהlike thatשֶּׁהַקָּבָּ"הwhich the Holy Oneעוֹשֶׂהdoesלִי?for me

רַשִׁ״י

ואםand ifשרהSarahהבתwho is a daughter ofתשעיםninetyשנה.yearsהָיְתָהwasכְדַאיworthyלֵילֵד;to give birthוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁדּוֹרוֹתthat generationsהָרִאשׁוֹנִיםthe firstהָיוּwereמוֹלִידִיןbegettingבְּנֵיat the age ofת"קfive hundredשָׁנָה,yearsבִּימֵיin the days ofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamנִתְמָעֲטוּwere shortenedהַשָּׁנִיםthe yearsכְּבָרalreadyוּבָאand cameתַּשּׁוּתweakness ofכֹּחַstrengthלָעוֹלָם,to the worldצֵאgoוּלְמַדand learnמֵעֲשָׂרָהfrom tenדּוֹרוֹתgenerationsשֶׁמִּנֹּחַthat from Noachוְעַדand untilאַבְרָהָם,Avrahamשֶׁמִּהֲרוּwho hastenedתּוֹלְדוֹתֵיהֶןtheir offspringבְּנֵיat the age ofס'sixtyוּבְנֵיand at the age ofע':seventy

פָּסוּק יב

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וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֶלtoהָאֱלֹהִיםGodלוּif onlyיִשְׁמָעֵאלYishmaelיִחְיֶהwould liveלְפָנֶיךָ׃before You

רַשִׁ״י

לוWould thatישמעאלYishmaelיחיה.might liveהַלְוַאיWould thatשֶׁיִּחְיֶהthat he might liveיִשְׁמָעֵאל;YishmaelאֵינִיI am notכְדַאיworthyלְקַבֵּלto receiveמַתַּןa gift ofשָׂכָָרrewardכָּזֶה:like this

רַשִׁ״י

יחיהliveלפניך.before Youיִחְיֶהhe shall liveבְיִרְאָתֶךָ,in Your fearכְּמוֹlikeהִתְהַלֵּךְwalkלְפָנַיbefore Me–פְּלַחworshipקֳדָמַי:before Me

פָּסוּק יג

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וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֱלֹהִיםGodאֲבָלindeedשָׂרָהSarahאִשְׁתְּךָyour wifeיֹלֶדֶתshall bearלְךָto youבֵּןa sonוְקָרָאתָand you shall callאֶת—שְׁמוֹhis nameיִצְחָקYitzchakוַהֲקִמֹתִיand I will establishאֶת—בְּרִיתִיMy covenantאִתּוֹwith himלִבְרִיתfor a covenantעוֹלָםeverlastingלְזַרְעוֹfor his offspringאַחֲרָיו׃after him

רַשִׁ״י

אבל.Verilyלְשׁוֹןan expression ofאֲמִתַּתthe truth ofדְּבָרִים,mattersוְכֵןand soאֲבָלverilyאֲשֵׁמִיםguiltyאֲנַחְנוּare weבראשיתBereishisמ"בforty-two,אֲבָלverilyבֵּןa sonאֵיןthere is notלָהּto herמלכיםMelachimבtwoד'four:

רַשִׁ״י

וקראתand you shall callאת—שמוhis nameיצחק.Yitzchakעַלonשֵׁםthe name ofהַצְּחוֹק,the laughterוְיֵ"אֹand some sayעַלonשֵׁםthe name ofהָעֲשָׂרָהthe tenנִסְיוֹנוֹתtrialsוצ'and ninetyשָׁנָהyearsשֶׁלofשָׂרָהSarahוח'and eightיָמִיםdaysשֶׁנִּמּוֹל,that he was circumcisedוק'and one hundredשָׁנָהyearsשֶׁלofאַבְרָהָם:Avraham

רַשִׁ״י

והקימתיAnd I will establishאת—בריתיMy covenantאתו.with himלָמָּהwhyנֶאֱמַר,is it saidכְּבָרalreadyכְּתִיבit is writtenוְאַתָּהand youאֶת—בְּרִיתִיMy covenantתִשְׁמֹרyou shall keepאַתָּהyouוְזַרְעֲךָand your seedוְגוֹ'?etc.אֶלָּאbutלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאוֹמֵרthat it saysוַהֲקִמוֹתִיand I will establishוְגוֹ',etc.יָכוֹלone might thinkבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׁמָעֵאלYishmaelוּבְנֵיand the children ofקְטוּרָהKeturahבִּכְלַלare included inהַקִּיּוּם,the establishmentתַּ"לֹtherefore Scripture teachesוַהֲקִמֹתִיand I will establishאֶת—בְּרִיתִיMy covenantאִתּוֹwith him–וְלֹאand notעִםwithאֲחֵרִים:othersואתAnd —בריתיMy covenantאקיםI will establishאתwithיצחק.Yitzchakלָמָּהwhyנֶאֱמַר?is it saidאֶלָּאbutלִמֵּדit teachesשֶׁהָיָהthat he wasקָדוֹשׁholyמִבֶּטֶן.from the wombדָּ"אַanother explanationאָמַרsaidרַ'Rabbiאַבָּא,Abbaמִכָּאןfrom hereלָמַדhe learnedקַ"וָa logical conclusionבֶּןthe son ofהַגְּבִירָהthe mistressמִבֶּןfrom the son ofהָאָמָה;the handmaidכְּתִיבit is writtenהִנֵּהbeholdבֵּרַכְתִּיI have blessedאֹתוֹhimוְהִפְרֵיתִיand I will make fruitfulאֹתוֹhimוְהִרְבֵּיתִיand I will multiplyאֹתוֹ,himזֶהthis isיִשְׁמָעֵאל,Yishmaelוְקַ"וָand how much more soוְאֶתand —בְּרִיתִיMy covenantאָקִיםI will establishאֶתwithיִצְחָק:Yitzchak

רַשִׁ״י

ואתAnd —בריתי.My covenantבְּרִיתthe covenant ofהַמִּילָהcircumcisionתְּהֵאshall beמְסוּרָהtransmittedלְזַרְעוֹto the descendants ofשֶׁל·יִצְחָק:Yitzchak

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וּלְיִשְׁמָעֵאלand regarding YishmaelשְׁמַעְתִּיךָI have heard youהִנֵּהbeholdבֵּרַכְתִּיI have blessedאֹתוֹhimוְהִפְרֵיתִיand I will make fruitfulאֹתוֹhimוְהִרְבֵּיתִיand I will multiplyאֹתוֹhimבִּמְאֹדexceedinglyמְאֹדexceedinglyשְׁנֵיםtwoעָשָׂרtenנְשִׂיאִםchieftainsיוֹלִידhe shall begetוּנְתַתִּיוand I will make himלְגוֹיinto a nationגָּדוֹל׃great

רַשִׁ״י

שניםTwoעשרtenנשיאים.princesכַּעֲנָנִיםlike cloudsיִכְלוּ;they shall vanishכְּמוֹlikeנְשִׂיאִיםcloudsוְרוּחַand windמשליMishleiכ"ה25:

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וְאֶתand —בְּרִיתִיMy covenantאָקִיםI will establishאֶת—יִצְחָקYitzchakאֲשֶׁרwhomתֵּלֵדwill bearלְךָto youשָׂרָהSarahלַמּוֹעֵדat the seasonהַזֶּהthisבַּשָּׁנָהin the yearהָאַחֶרֶת׃next

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַיְכַלAnd He finishedלְדַבֵּרto speakאִתּוֹwith himוַיַּעַלand ascendedאֱלֹהִיםGodמֵעַלfrom uponאַבְרָהָם׃Avraham

רַשִׁ״י

מעלFrom uponאברהם.Avrahamלְשׁוֹןan expressionנְקִיָּהrefinedהוּאit isכְּלַפֵּיtowardsשְׁכִינָה,the Shechinahוְלָמַדְנוּand we learnשֶׁהַצַּדִּיקִיםthat the righteousמֶרְכַּבְתּוֹare the chariotשֶׁלofמָקוֹםthe OmnipresentבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַיִּקַּחAnd tookאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֶת—יִשְׁמָעֵאלYishmaelבְּנוֹhis sonוְאֵתand —כָּלall ofיְלִידֵיthose born ofבֵיתוֹhis houseוְאֵתand —כָּלall ofמִקְנַתthe purchase ofכַּסְפּוֹhis moneyכָּלeveryזָכָרmaleבְּאַנְשֵׁיamong the men ofבֵּיתthe house ofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוַיָּמָלand he circumcisedאֶת—בְּשַׂרthe flesh ofעָרְלָתָםtheir foreskinבְּעֶצֶםon the strength ofהַיּוֹםthe dayהַזֶּהthisכַּאֲשֶׁרjust asדִּבֶּרspokeאִתּוֹwith himאֱלֹהִים׃G-d

רַשִׁ״י

בעצםIn the strength ofהיום.the dayבּוֹon itבַּיּוֹםon the dayשֶׁנִּצְטַוָּה,that he was commandedבַּיּוֹםby dayוְלֹאand notבַּלַּיְלָה;by nightלֹאnotנִתְיָרֵאhe fearedלֹאnotמִןfromהַגּוֹיִםthe non-Jewsוְלֹאand notמִןfromהַלֵּצָנִים,the cynicsוְשֶׁלֹּאand so that notיִהְיוּshould beאוֹיְבָיוhis enemiesוּבְנֵיand the people ofדּוֹרוֹhis generationאוֹמְרִיםsayingאִלּוּifרְאִינוּהוּwe had seen himלֹאnotהִנַּחְנוּהוּwe would have allowed himלָמוּלto circumciseוּלְקַיֵּםand to fulfillמִצְוָתוֹthe mitzvah ofשֶׁלofמָקוֹם:the Omnipresent

רַשִׁ״י

וימל.and he circumcisedלְשׁוֹןan expression ofוַיִּפְעַל:and he did

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וְאַבְרָהָםand Avrahamבֶּןwas the son ofתִּשְׁעִיםninetyוָתֵשַׁעand nineשָׁנָהyearsבְּהִמֹּלוֹwhen he circumcisedבְּשַׂרthe flesh ofעָרְלָתוֹ׃his foreskin

רַשִׁ״י

בהמולו.when he was circumcisedבְּהִפָּעֲלוֹ,in its passive formכְּמוֹlikeבְּהִבָּרְאָםwhen they were createdבראשיתBereshisב'two:

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וְיִשְׁמָעֵאלand Yishmaelבְּנוֹhis sonבֶּןwas the age ofשְׁלֹשׁthreeעֶשְׂרֵהtenשָׁנָהyearsבְּהִמֹּלוֹwhen he was circumcisedאֵת—בְּשַׂרthe flesh ofעָרְלָתוֹ׃his foreskin

רַשִׁ״י

בהמולוwhen he circumcisedאת—בשרthe flesh ofערלתו.his foreskinבְּאַבְרָהָםregarding Avrahamלֹאnotנֶאֱמַרwas it said"אֵת",etלְפִיbecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notהָיָהhe wasחָסֵרlackingאֶלָּאexceptחִתּוּךְthe cutting ofבָּשָׂר,fleshשֶׁכְּבָרsince alreadyנִתְמָעֵךְit was worn downעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofתַשְׁמִישׁ;marital relationsאֲבָלbutיִשְׁמָעֵאלYishmaelשֶׁהָיָהwho wasיֶלֶד,a ladהֻזְקַקwas requiredלַחְתֹּךְto cutעָרְלָהthe foreskinוְלִפְרֹעַand to uncoverהַמִּילָה,the circumcisionלְכָךְthereforeנֶאֱמַרit was saidבּוֹregarding him"אֵת"etבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

בְּעֶצֶםon the strength ofהַיּוֹםthe dayהַזֶּהthisנִמּוֹלwas circumcisedאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוְיִשְׁמָעֵאלand Yishmaelבְּנוֹ׃his son

רַשִׁ״י

בעצםIn the strength ofהיוםthe dayהזה.thisשֶׁמָּלְאוּthat were completedלְאַבְרָהָםto Avrahamצ"טninety-nineשָׁנָהyearsוּלְיִשְׁמָעֵאלand to Yishmaelי"גthirteenשָׁנִיםyearsנמולwas circumcisedאברהםAvrahamוישמעאלand Yishmaelבנוhis son:

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וְכָלand allאַנְשֵׁיthe men ofבֵיתוֹhis houseיְלִידthose born ofבָּיִתthe houseוּמִקְנַתand those bought withכֶּסֶףmoneyמֵאֵתfromבֶּןa son ofנֵכָרa strangerנִמֹּלוּwere circumcisedאִתּוֹ׃with him

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah concludes with the immediate fulfillment of the mitzvah of bris milah. On that very day, Avraham, at ninety-nine years old, circumcises himself, his thirteen-year-old son Ishmael, and every male member of his household, including his homeborn and purchased servants, showing his absolute and prompt obedience to the command of Hashem.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah emphasizes that Avraham Avinu performed the mitzvah of bris milah "b'etzem hayom hazeh", on that very day, the moment Hashem commanded him. Think about the physical reality here: Avraham was ninety-nine years old, a revered leader, and he was about to perform a painful, life-altering procedure on himself, his son, and his entire household. Lichoira, he had every reason to wait, to plan, or to do it quietly in the middle of the night to avoid the mockery of the scoffers of his generation. Yet, the moment the command came, he did not hesitate for a single second.

This is the yesod of zrizus, of running to do a mitzvah. The yetzer hara is a big specialist in the "later" business. When a Yid gets an inspiration to learn, to give tzedakah, or to fix a relationship, the yetzer hara doesn't usually say "don't do it." Instead, he says, "It's a beautiful dabar, but do it tomorrow when you are more settled." By showing us Avraham's immediate action, the Torah is teaching us that the holiness of a mitzvah is captured in the very moment the opportunity arises. If you wait, the warmth cools down.

When you feel a push to do something right, whether it is opening a sefer, calling someone to offer help, or stepping away from a distraction to daven with more kavanah, do not let the thought grow cold. Act on it "b'etzem hayom hazeh", right then and there, without letting your calculations get in the way of your avodah.

Today, the very moment you get an urge to do a mitzvah or learn a line of Torah, do not delay it even by five minutes; act on that holy thought immediately.