agar and Ishmael must give way to God's plan-in which Isaac and his descendents will have a special place-as will Ishmael's. This chapter depicts Abraham's concerns in conflict with God's wishes-a conflict between human love and divine will. The Torah, A Modern Commentary ed. W.G. Plaut, Union of American Hebrew Congregants and Genesis: Translation and Commentary, R. AlterE. Word StudyCircumcision ( Brit Milah 'Covenant of Circumcision): The removal of the foreskin of the penis. Takes place on the eighth day after birth-even on Sabbath or Yom Kippur, but can be delayed on a physician's recommendation. The child is given his Hebrew name and benedictions over wine are pronounced. This rite is a sign of the covenant between God and His people and is first mentioned in Gen 17: 9-12, as a divine command to Abraham. It is the characteristic symbol of Judaism although it was known long before Abraham and is also observed by Muslims and others. When Antiochus Epiphanus prohibited circumcision more than 2000 years ago, Jews were ready to die rather than abandon it. It came to be the first condition of any male convert to Judaism. The main participants in the ceremony are the child, father, mohel (circumciser), and sandek (privileged one who holds the child during the operation). The sandek's involvement became important after the tenth century C.E. The prophet Elijah is the invisible participant at circumcisions, referred to as "angel of the covenant" (Malachi 3:1). The special chair reserved for Elijah is left in place for three days after the operation.Slavery (Hebrew Slaves): The Hebrew Slave became a slave by either selling his services in order to obtain maintenance or through inability to pay his debts. The male worked for a six-year period and then was released. The female slave, in the age of polygamy, became one of the secondary wives of the owner or his son; she could not claim her freedom after the sixth year. If...
