When Abraham was 99 years old, God appeared to him, announcing the mitzvah of brit milah (circumcision).
“I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be complete. I will make a covenant (brit) between Me and you.” (Gen. 17:1-2)
What was Abraham’s immediate reaction? He literally fell on his face. The Talmud (Nedarim 32b) writes that when Abraham heard God command him, “walk before Me and be complete,” his entire body began to shake. Abraham was confused and mortified. ‘Perhaps there is something improper in my actions?’ But Abraham calmed down when God began to command him to circumcise himself and his household.
Why was Abraham comforted to hear that God was referring to brit milah?
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