La Genèse 17:11 Halakha : Peninei Halakhah, Family & Mishneh Torah, Circumcision

It is worth noting that the commandment to be fruitful and multiply is mentioned in the Torah well before the commandment of circumcision. It is, of course, more basic and it precedes circumcision. However, it was not said specifically to the Jewish people, but rather shared with all the living creatures on earth, from the fish in the sea to the land animals to man. However, circumcision is the first commandment directed to the Jewish people. Through it, the commandment of being fruitful and multiplying also acquires a deeper meaning. Accordingly, we find that at the time that God commanded Abraham, our father, about circumcision, He promised him the land and the blessing for offspring. As these three basic commandments are all connected, as it is stated: the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am the Omnipotent God. Walk in My ways and be blameless. I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will make you exceedingly numerous.” Abram threw himself on his face; and God spoke to him further, “As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You shall be the father of a multitude of nations. And you shall no longer be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I make you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fertile, and make nations of you; and kings shall come forth from you. I will maintain My covenant between Me and you, and your offspring to come, as an everlasting covenant throughout the ages, to be God to you and to your offspring to come. I assign the land you in which you sojourn to you and your offspring to come, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting holding. I will be their God.” God further said to Abraham, “As for you, you and your offspring to come throughout the ages shall keep My covenant. Such shall be the covenant between Me and you and your offspring to follow, which you shall keep: every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you” (Genesis 17:11).

Mark how strictly the observance of Circumcision is to be regarded. Moses, although he was on a journey did not receive indulgence a single hour for neglecting this duty. In connection with all the precepts of the Torah, three covenants were made with Israel; as it is said "These are the words of the covenant which the Lord commanded … beside the covenant which He made with them in Horeb" (Deut. 28:69). And in the next section it is said "Ye are standing this day all of you before the Lord your God … that thou shouldst enter into the covenant of the Lord thy God" (Deut. 29:9-11). Three covenants are here mentioned. But in connection with Circumcision, thirteen covenants were made with our ancestor Abraham: "And I will make My covenant between Me and thee" (Gen. 17:2); "As for me. behold, My covenant is with thee" (ib. 17:4); "And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee" (ib. 17:7); "for an everlasting covenant" (ib. 17:7); "And as for thee, thou shalt keep My covenant" (ib. 17:9); "This is My covenant which you shall keep" (ib. 17:10) "And it shall be a token of a covenant" (ib. 17:11); "And My covenant shall be in your flesh" (ib. 17:13); "for an everlasting covenant" (ib. 17:13); "he hath broken my covenant" (ib. 17:14); "And I will establish My covenant with him" (ib. 17:19); "for an everlasting covenant" (ib. 17:19); "But My covenant I will establish with Isaac" (ib. 17:21).