בֶּן־אָדָ֕ם נְהֵ֛ה עַל־הֲמ֥וֹן מִצְרַ֖יִם וְהוֹרִדֵ֑הוּ א֠וֹתָהּ וּבְנ֨וֹת גּוֹיִ֧ם אַדִּרִ֛ם אֶל־אֶ֥רֶץ תַּחְתִּיּ֖וֹת אֶת־י֥וֹרְדֵי בֽוֹר׃
“Hai anak manusia, merataplah karena rakyat Mesir yang banyak itu, dan turunkanlah mereka, dia beserta putri-putri bangsa-bangsa yang perkasa, ke bagian bumi yang paling bawah, bersama orang-orang yang turun ke liang kubur.
Rabbeinu Bahya
A Midrashic interpretation (Tanchuma Lech Lecha 20) on the words בהמולו בשר ערלתו: “the commandment is an important one as anyone who has undergone this procedure will not descend to Gehinom. This is based on the verse here ביום ההוא כרת ה' ברית עם אברהם, “on that day G-d concluded a covenant wirh Avraham,” and a verse in Leviticus 12,3 ובים השמיני ימול, “and he shall be circumcised on the eighth day.” Who is it that is liable to descend to Gehinom? The one concerning whom it is written afterwards את הקיני, ואת הקניזי, ואת הקדמוני, “and the Keyni, the Kenizite, and the Kadmoni all of whom were of uncircumcised heart.” All the wicked people will descend to Gehinom as we know from Ezekiel 32,18 בן אדם נהה על המון מצרים והורידהו....שם אשור וכל קהלה שם משך תובל וכל המונה....כולם ערלים מחללי חרב, שמה נסיכי צפון. “ Ben Adam, wail for the multitude of Egypt and cast it down,....there is found Ashur and all her multitude, there is found Meshech, Tuval and all their multitude; all of them slain who fall by the sword and who descend uncircumcised to the bowels of the earth for they spread their terror in the land of life.” The author quotes verses of similar meaning from Isaiah 5,14, indicating that those who inherit Gehinom are the ones who do not have the legislation of מילה. On the other hand, we have a verse promising those who observe the ברית מילה covenant that they will not experience such a fate. For instance we read in Zechariah 9,11: גם את בדם בריתך שלחתי אסירך מבור אין מים בו,”You, for Your part have released your prisoners who have undergone the blood of your covenant from the pit without water.” Another verse alluding to the same promise is found in Proverbs 31,21 לא תירא לביתה משלג כי כל ביתה לבוש שנים, “her house does not need to be afraid of snow seeing her entire house is insulated with wool.” The Midrash understands the word שלג, snow,” as a reference to Gehinom. Thus far Tanchuma.
This is why it has become customary to even perform the rite of circumcision on babies who died before this rite could be performed on them while they were alive. (compare Yore Deyah 263).
This is why it has become customary to even perform the rite of circumcision on babies who died before this rite could be performed on them while they were alive. (compare Yore Deyah 263).