At the end of parshat Lech Lecha, in which we become acquainted with the special personality of our first patriarch, Avraham, we read of the most fundamental mitzvah given to Am Israel: Brit Milah. 
 

HaShem addresses Avraham (who was still called Avram, before the Brit) and commands him to perform the mitzvah of Brit Milah with the words: "Walk before Me and be flawless and I will give My covenant between Me and you… this is My covenant which you shall keep between Me and you… circumcise all your males."
 

The Midrash Rabbah on parshat Vayeireh says: "Avraham said (to HaShem): after I circumcised myself many converts will come to attach themselves to this covenant."
 

Avraham is happy to perform the mitzvah of Brit Milah and even states that it has importance in encouraging converts to come and flock under the wings of the Shechinah.
 

At first glance, this is incomprehensible. Brit Milah is deterring and dangerous, and could lead people to the opposite conclusion. Many are those who will stay away from coming under the wings of the Shechinah because of the obstacle of circumcision, so how did Avraham Avinu come to this conclusion?

The Shem MiShmuel on parshat Ki Tavo explains this paradox in this way: the powers of tumah (impurity) which dominate the nations of the world do not allow them to come and cleave to the Shechinah, and these powers close their hearts, preventing them from coming to know Israel and their Father in Heaven. This is the great and fundamental impediment, which is camouflaged by the excuse of physical danger involved in performing the mitzvah of circumcision. The fact that Avraham was "Av Hamon Goyim" (the father of many nations) shows that he had a strong influence on the nations of the world, and by virtue of his personal circumcision he weakened the power of impurity which closed the hearts of the goyim, and gave them an opening to come and become close to the Shechinah. This is the meaning of Avraham's words in the Midrash: "After I circumcised myself many converts will come to attach themselves to this covenant."  
 

The words of the Shem MiShmuel embody a great principle in Avodat HaShem. At times a person shies away from performing an act or making a positive change in his lifestyle and he puts the blames on some physical or technical difficulty. This can certainly serve as an excuse for blocking steps which are necessary and important for his advancement, but the truth is that the deterrent and the obstacle are not in the practical dimension. It is necessary to delve into the recesses of the soul and into the inner spiritual outlook, for there dwells the great inhibitor which clothes itself in varoius and strange excuses.  
 

When one searches himself and casts off the technical rationalizations – he will reveal the inner truth, and this is the challenge with which he must contend. When he will be able to confront his inner truth and change his approach, the superficial difficulties will disappear by themselves.

At this difficult time, we too must stand on our inner truth and remind ourselves (and also the entire world): "Eretz Israel belongs to Am Israel." We must proclaim clearly and unequivocally: There is no place for another nation in Eretz Israel! This is infinitely truer regarding a group which declares its intention to destroy us! Only when we will fully internalize this - all the rationalizations will collapse, and we will have the ability to withstand the accusations and condemnations of the nations of the world. 

"You are One and Your Name is One, and who is like Your nation Israel, One nation on the earth."

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