Metaphors in the Torah: "The Circumcism of Abraham"

Illustration: "The Covenant with Abraham"

In chapter 17 of the Book of Genesis we are given the story of the circumcism of Abraham. First off, we are told that he was 99 years old, but the Torah prefers to reverse the numbers and say he was 90 and 9….Why? Furthermore, is it really important whether or not he was 99 or 98?

Once again, we are assuming these stories are not literally true, hence if the author selected the number 90 and 9 there had to be a reason. Basically, besides the connection with a woman being pregnant for 9 months the only other clue we have to the meaning of this number comes from Jacob’s 12 sons. Here, my interpretation of the order of birth is quite different than most people's and I believe that we must first count the 6 sons of Leah because she was the first wife. Then we must count the 2 sons of Rachel, because she was the second wife (this makes Joseph the 7^th son and we can see a confirmation of this because he is described the same way the Sabbath is described: “as one set apart”).

Following this logic Zilpah: the concubine/servant of Leah is the mother of the 9^th and 10^th sons and Bilhah: the concubine/servant of Rachel is the mother of the 11^th and 12^th sons. Here I will only say that the 12^th son is Naphtali whose name means: “a jealous struggle” and point out that the 12 sons of Jacob, the 12 disciples of Jesus and the 12 gods in Olympus were always jealous of one another and constantly fighting.

Regardless, the name of the 9^th son is Gad and his name means: “Fortune”, but some people translate this also as “gift”.

The important point is not properly understood because Gad is usually considered to be the 7^th son, but if we understand that Gad is the 9^th son, then it becomes very important that his name also means: “to cut”. In fact, one source goes on to combine the two meanings of his name and say: “It seems that the verb indicates a cutting with the distinct purpose of laying a treasure bare. The ritualistic cutting results in the exposure of precious blood”

The other point to consider is that the number: "10" is, of course, associated with the 10 commandments and the law. So, the number: "90" (i.e. 9 X 10) means: “cutting away something to reveal the treasure of God’s law” and the number: "9" would simply be: cutting away something to reveal a treasure.

Hence, the fact that Abram is 99 years old is DIRECTLY related to the circumcism.

The next important point to consider is that the Hebrew word for “foreskin” is also the word for: “the fruit of a tree that is less than 3 years old”. This fruit is not kosher and it is forbidden to eat it.

In numerous other articles we have spoken of: “fruit” being a metaphor for “knowledge” and we have also spoken of: “trees” being metaphors for: “prophets”. In fact, in the New Testament it actually says that a false prophet is a tree that produces bad fruit.

We have also shown in many articles that the Hebrew word for “flesh” and “meat” are the same and that the Hebrew word for “meat” means “religious teachings/preachings” or: “gospels”.

Finally, the Hebrew term: “brit mila” means: “to remove the meat which blocks”.

Blocks what? Obviously, this "meat" represents the religious teachings of men of the flesh and false prophets….(i.e. the rabbis). These teachings block men's access to God's word and that is why it says that anyone who is not circumcised shall be cut off from his people (i.e. will be un-able to hear the voice of God).

What ?!!! Dror!!!  Are you saying the rabbis are liars and false prophets ?

You better believe that is exactly what I am saying and I can prove it.

The passage then goes on to speak of a covenant made between Abraham and his seed. It also goes on to say that all the servants in Abraham’s household shall be circumcised as well (Not to mention his son Ishmael).

So: If all these people were circumcised, then does that mean they were the first converts to Judaism? Obviously not, God clearly says that the covenant will not be with Ishmael and none of the servants are even mentioned by name, except Eliazer and God specifically says that he shall not inherit Abraham’s wealth. Furthermore, no genealogies are given of any of the servants who were circumcised.

The important word which appears AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN is that the covenant will be made with ONLY the seed of Abraham.

So, when a rabbi converts a Filipino house cleaner to Judaism and tells the Ministry of Interior that she is now entitled to all the privileges of a Jew, is that legal? When the Filipino under went the conversion procedure, did they also experience some sort of change in their DNA? Did they actually become: the seed of Abraham? Of course not! In fact, according to any Orthodox rabbi, Abraham himself is NOT Jewish. Abraham never studied the Talmud. Abraham knew nothing of the great  traditions that define the modern Jew. The Filipino does, hence he or she is a real Jew, while Abraham is merely some gentile who followed the laws of Noah (Or, at least that is what the Rambam and the Rashi said).

But: What about the covenant itself? What are the conditions and terms of this agreement?

First of all, it must be understood that the circumcism is not actually part of the agreement per se. The circumcism is the sign that the Jewish descendant of Abraham makes to show that he has accepted the terms of the agreement, similar to a mark in a ball of red wax made by a signet ring. Since no 8 day old baby can circumcise himself, for all intents and purpose the father of the baby is the one accepting those conditions.

And: Just what exactly are those conditions?

Well, chapter 17 does not say….

What is interesting here is that Wikipedia says the terms of the covenant can be found throughout chapters 12 thru 17 and then it goes on to describe all the benefits the descendants of Abraham shall receive….Wikipedia fails to mention any obligations…..

Nevertheless, the obligations of the covenant can be found, not in chapters 12 - 17, but in chapter 18, line 19 which says:

"For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him."

(This is the translation found in the Mechon-Mamre Old Testament)

Hence, it is the obligation of Abraham to teach “The ways of God”to his descendants. We know this is correct because later God will tell Isaac that the ONLY reason he is inheriting the land from Abraham is because Abraham followed all of ways of God and all of his commandments (There is no mention of the Talmud).

Notice in the quoted verse that God does NOT say anything about teaching his laws to the servants of Abraham. The covenant is very, very clear: Abraham is to teach the ways of God to his descendants and only his descendants.

Okay Dror, but: Don’t the rabbis teach the ways of God to their students in the yeshiva? Obviously not, since even the rabbis admit that the knowledge that Abraham possessed is NOT the same knowledge that they and their students possess. Abraham is a mere: “Noahide”, while they are “Jews”.

Yes Dror, but: Do you have any other proof that the rabbis don’t teach the ways of God?

Yes I do: In Numbers chapter 15, lines 38 thru 41 it says:

Now, do the rabbis wear: “sky blue” tassels (tzitiz) on their clothing? No they do not! Why? Because the rabbis don’t want you to remember and follow God’s laws, they want you to remember and follow THEIR laws! This is the exact same reason the rabbis don't want you to place the ten commandments on your door post. They don't want you to follow only God's commandments, they want you to follow THEIR commandments...

Remember, we just pointed out that God told Isaac that Abraham followed ALL of His laws, yet the rabbis said that Abraham was not a Jew because he did not follow the laws and traditions of the rabbis found in the Talmud.

In conclusion: Whose laws are you going to follow ?