Pesaḥ and Mila

There are a number of significant similarities between the mitzvot of Korban Pesaḥ and Brit Mila. These are the only two positive mitzvot where the punishment for failure to fulfill the mitzva is karet. Further, an uncircumcised male may not eat of the Korban Pesach.

The verse from Ezekiel [16:6]

.. and I said to you: in your blood, live; yea, I said to you: in your blood, live

is included in the Haggadah, as well as being recited at a Brit Mila.

Rashi, quoting our Sages, explains the repetition of the phrase “in your blood, live” as referring to the blood of Pesaḥ and the blood of mila, through which the Israelites were redeemed from Egypt.

My father explained that God instructed us to spill a little of our own blood as preparation for freedom. The lesson is clear: although many are willing to spill others’ blood to attain freedom, the Torah teaches that one must be willing to spill his own blood if freedom is to be achieved.

My saintly teacher, Rabbi Mordechai Rogov offered an additional explanation of the connection between the blood of korban Pesaḥ and that of mila: the blood of the Paschal lamb is the symbol of freedom from subjugation by others, whereas the blood of mila symbolizes freedom from oneself, freedom from the evil inclination, from the desires and impulses which enslave a person. Subjugation to one’s impulses can create the worst form of servitude, completely depriving one of his/her freedom.

In establishing mila as the prerequisite for korban Pesaḥ, the Torah teaches us that to be able to truly appreciate freedom, we must first achieve freedom from our enslaving passions. Without the blood of mila, freedom from oneself, the blood of Pesaḥ, freedom from others cannot be established.