Published November 12, 2009
Ordinarily, the differences in Halacha between Israel and the Diaspora focus on agricultural commandments like terumot and ma’aserot. One striking difference that parents notice upon moving to Israel is in an entirely different category. When fulfilling the mitzva of b’rit mila, in Israel the father adds an additional b’racha that is not made in the Diaspora - the blessing of shehechiyanu.
This tradition is codified in the Shuchan Aruch (see Yoreh De’ah 265:7), where we find that the Rambam is quoted as ruling that a father does say shehechiyanu, which is the practice in Israel and surrounding areas like Syria and Egypt. The Ramah rules that in Diaspora communities it is not recited at all.
While suggestions are raised as to why shehechiyanu may be omitted - for example, because of the pain suffered by the baby - none of the commentaries attempt to explain the difference in practice between Israel and the Diaspora, nor of the inclusion of Syria and Egypt within the Israeli practice.
Perhaps this tradition is rooted in a basic foundation of the mitzva of b’rit mila as it is commanded in our parsha. We find that the mitzva appears immediately after the promise of the land of Israel - from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates - to Avraham and his descendants that appears in the b’rit bein habetarim (15:18). The mitzva of b’rit mila as described in perek 17 includes a reminder that part of the covenantal relationship between God and Avraham’s family is a permanent place in this land (see pasuk 8) - Rashi goes so far as to suggest that only in Israel will a Jewish person truly have a relationship with God. Clearly, there is a deep connection between the mitzva of b’rit milah and the promise of the Land of Israel.
Thus, when a person performs a b’rit mila in the Diaspora, it symbolizes only a partial fulfillment of the covenant. Only in Israel - according to its broadest borders, including Egypt and Syria - will the b’rit be complete, and therefore deserving of an additional blessing (of joy).
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