Rambam In-Depth: The Shehecheyanu Controversy at Bris Milah
Join Rabbi Heschel Greenberg and explore the Rambam’s unique position on reciting Shehecheyanu at Bris Milah while most Rishonim disagree. This debate centers on a fundamental question: does Shehecheyanu require physical joy or merely fulfillment of a time-bound mitzvah? The Rambam brings evidence from inheritance laws, where the blessing is recited despite mixed emotions, demonstrating that spiritual fulfillment transcends physical discomfort • Watch
Join Rabbi Heschel Greenberg and explore the Rambam’s unique position on reciting Shehecheyanu at Bris Milah while most Rishonim disagree. This debate centers on a fundamental question: does Shehecheyanu require physical joy or merely fulfillment of a time-bound mitzvah? The Rambam brings evidence from inheritance laws, where the blessing is recited despite mixed emotions, demonstrating that spiritual fulfillment transcends physical discomfort. We’ll examine key interpretations, including whether it matters if the father performs the Bris himself, and explore how Sephardic and Ashkenazic practices differ today, reflecting deeper philosophical approaches to mitzvot.
In this in-depth Torah analysis, we’ll explore:
The fundamental nature of Shehecheyanu: Is it for the mitzvah or the joy?
Why most Rishonim reject saying Shehecheyanu at a Bris Milah
Rambam’s powerful proof from inheritance laws
The distinction between physical and spiritual joy
Practical differences between Sephardic and Ashkenazic practice
How this debate affects our understanding of mitzvot in general
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