Komentarz do Rodzaju 17:9
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֔ם וְאַתָּ֖ה אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֣י תִשְׁמֹ֑ר אַתָּ֛ה וְזַרְעֲךָ֥ אַֽחֲרֶ֖יךָ לְדֹרֹתָֽם׃
I rzekł Bóg do Abrahama: "Ty zaś przymierza Mojego przestrzegaj, ty i potomkowie twoi po tobie, w pokoleniach swoich.
Rashi on Genesis
ואתה AND AS FOR THEE — This ו (of ואתה) connects this verse with the preceding matter (v. Gensis 17:4, thus setting ואתה of here in contrast with the ואני of there): “As for Me, behold My covenant is with thee” — “and as for thee, thou shalt be careful to keep it”. And what constitutes the “keeping” of it? THIS IS MY COVENANT WHICH YE SHALL KEEP… EVERY MALE AMONGST YOU [SHALL BE CIRCUMCISED].
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Ramban on Genesis
‘VE’ATAH’ (AND AS FOR THEE), THOU SHALT KEEP MY COVENANT. Rashi commented, “The vav of ve’atah connects the verse with the preceding matter [in Verse 4]: ‘As for Me behold My covenant is with thee, and as for thee, thou shalt be careful to keep it.’ And what constitutes this ‘keeping’ of it? This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you — this applies to those who were then alive; and thy seed after thee410Verse 10 here. — this applies to those who are yet to be born.” The Rabbi is correct in his interpretation of the plain meaning of the verse.
Now they411This reason is found in the Commentary of R’dak. See also Moreh Nebuchim (III, 49), where other reasons are given. have said concerning the reason for the commandment of circumcision that He has thereby placed a reminder in the organ of lust, which is the source of much trouble and sin, in order that it should not be used excepting where it is commandatory and permissible.
By way of truth,412A reference to the mystic teachings of the Torah. See Seder Bereshith, Note 63. the meaning of the verse, Behold, My covenant is with thee,413Verse 4 here. is similar in meaning to the verses: Behold, I am with thee;414Further, 28:15. And He said, Certainly, I will be with thee;415Exodus 3:12. The Eternal our G-d be with us.416I Kings 8:57. He is thus saying that the covenant will be with him, and therefore he will be fruitful and multiply. After that He commanded that Abraham keep this covenant, and the circumcision will be as a sign of the covenant. Thus it is that this “sign” is as “the sign” of the Sabbath,417Concerning the Sabbath, it is also written: It is a sign forever. (Exodus 31:17.) and therefore circumcision sets aside the Sabbath. Understand this.
Now they411This reason is found in the Commentary of R’dak. See also Moreh Nebuchim (III, 49), where other reasons are given. have said concerning the reason for the commandment of circumcision that He has thereby placed a reminder in the organ of lust, which is the source of much trouble and sin, in order that it should not be used excepting where it is commandatory and permissible.
By way of truth,412A reference to the mystic teachings of the Torah. See Seder Bereshith, Note 63. the meaning of the verse, Behold, My covenant is with thee,413Verse 4 here. is similar in meaning to the verses: Behold, I am with thee;414Further, 28:15. And He said, Certainly, I will be with thee;415Exodus 3:12. The Eternal our G-d be with us.416I Kings 8:57. He is thus saying that the covenant will be with him, and therefore he will be fruitful and multiply. After that He commanded that Abraham keep this covenant, and the circumcision will be as a sign of the covenant. Thus it is that this “sign” is as “the sign” of the Sabbath,417Concerning the Sabbath, it is also written: It is a sign forever. (Exodus 31:17.) and therefore circumcision sets aside the Sabbath. Understand this.
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Sforno on Genesis
ואתה את בריתי תשמר, "just as I keep My part of the covenant, I want you to keep your part of My covenant. Unless the covenant is respected mutually it will be invalid.
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