여호수아 5:2 해설: Rashi & Tze'enah Ure'enah

Sharp knives. As translated by Targum, sharp knives. Similarly, ‘You also turned back the sharp edge of his sword.’¹Tehillim 89:44. When the sharp edge is turned sideways it does not cut well. ‘Similarly, ‘Every weapon that is sharpened against you?’²Yeshayahu 54.

The second time. For there had already been a circumcision— on the night of their departure from Egypt a large assembly were collectively circumcised, and this was the second time; because during the entire forty years that they were in the wilderness the north wind did not blow for them, and they did not have a suitable day to circumcise themselves, as we learned in Maseches Yevamos.³Yevomos 71b. Certain atmospheric conditions were beneficial for the healing of the wound caused by circumcision. The north wind created this condition. These winds were withheld during the forty years in the wilderners in order that the “Clouds of Glory” that led and protected the people would not disperse. Our Sages said, “The second time refers to exposing the corona at circumcision. [This particular aspect of circumcision] was not commanded to our Patriarch, Avrohom.

“At that time, the Lord said” [5:2]. At that time the Holy One said to Joshua: sharpen your flint knives and circumcise Israel a second time, since Abraham Our Father did not do the periah.²Periah, is the uncovering of the corona, a part of the circumcision. Therefore, the Holy One commanded Joshua that he should do the periah for Israel, as something new when they came across the Jordan. The Israelites did not circumcise themselves or their children in the desert because the north wind did not blow for forty years. Israel were in the desert and it is not good for someone to circumcise themselves and cause a wound. Why did the north wind not blow for the full forty years? The reason is that Israel were as if they had been excommunicated for the forty years and that is why the good wind from the north did not blow. Another reason that the wind was not there in the desert is that He spread the good clouds over them. The good clouds surrounded Israel and therefore there was no wind from the north. Israel took all the foreskins and the blood from the circumcisions and they made a big pile from them and covered it with ashes. When Balaam saw that there was a large pile of foreskins, from those who had been in the desert, he said: who can count the ashes that Israel used to cover their foreskins in the desert. That is to say, Balaam said that nobody could do anything to Israel because they have the commandment of circumcision. They were warned not to have illicit sex, because the Holy One loves them very much. That is why Balaam later gave advice that they should cause the Israelites to sin with the daughters of Midian. He said that God hates those who pursue illicit sex. They caused many thousands to fall because of illicit sex. Therefore, Balaam said: Israel has the commandment of circumcision, and they made a big pile of foreskins in order to loved in the eyes of God. They do not pursue illicit sex because they are circum- cised with the circumcision. The Israelites observed the commandment of circumcision until the days of the prophet Elijah. They did not circumcise themselves and the prophet Elijah adjured the heavens that they should not give rain and dew. Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, heard about this and wanted to kill Elijah, and Elijah ran away to Mount Horeb. The Holy One came to him. What are you doing here Elijah? Elijah said: I had to run away because Israel did not observe the [commandment of] circumcision and I wanted to take revenge against Israel. The Holy One said: You, Elijah, are always zealous and do not want to tolerate that Israel should commit sins in the city of Shittim. When the Israelites had illicit sexual relations with the daughters of Midian, you killed a prince because of illicit sexual relations. Now too that Israel did not observe the circumcision, you are taking revenge. Therefore, you should also enjoy the merit and Israel should not make a circumcision without having a separate chair for you to sit upon during the circumcision.³Yalkut Shimoni, Joshua, Remez, 15.