Two Minute Torah Podcast

Tazria-Metzora 5770 by Rabbi Mordechai Silverstein

Midrash Tanhuma relates a very interesting conversation between a certain wicked ruler, named Turnus Rufus, and Rabbi Akiva. Taunting Rabbi Akiva, Turnus Rufus asked: "Whose deeds are nicer, God's or those of human beings?" Rabbi Akiva responded: "Those of people are nicer." Turnus Rufus replied: "But how can that be, can a human being create the world?" Rabbi Akiva said: "Don't make a comparison with things that people are incapable of doing. Ask about something people can also do." Immediately, Turnus Rufus asked about brit milah - circumcision. Rabbi Akiva said: "I knew you were going to ask me about that and that's why I responded to you that human deeds are greater than those of God. Let me give you an example." Rabbi Akiva brought some stalks of wheat and some cookies and asked rhetorically: "Which of these are the works of God and which were made by people? And then he asked: "Which are nicer, namely which would you rather eat? Turnus Rufus then asked: "So if God wanted brit milah so much, why aren't boys born circumcised? Rabbi Akiva replied: "I could just as easily have asked you why people are born with the umbilical cord still attached, but I will answer your question anyway. God gave us brit milah to teach us that the commandments are given to us to perfect ourselves." (Based on Tanhuma Tazria 5)

If I may add an addendum to Rabbi Akiva's answer, I would say that brit milah is a constant reminder that God's work of creation is a work in progress and that each of us has a role in completing and perfecting it. It is a sign of our partnership with God and our mission in life.