וימל אברהם את יצחק בנו בן שמונת ימים כאשר צוה אותו אלקים (וירא כא:ד)

This week’s parsha talks about the mitzvah of Bris Milah. Since Avraham Yidden have kept the mitzvah of Bris Milah for generations; many times with tremendous mesiras nefesh (sacrifice). 

The Bluzhever Rebbe, Reb Yisroel Shapiro zt’’l, related an inspiring story he personally witnessed in the labor camps during WWII.

One day, while working laboriously in the camps, a woman from the women’s section suddenly appeared and approached the Bluzhever Rebbe, requesting a knife.  The Rebbe thought this woman probably wanted to take her own life to end her suffering in the labor camps.

The Bluzhever Rebbe started consoling the woman and telling her that the day would come when she would be freed.  He said that taking one’s life is forbidden and is not your solution.  

But the woman was still persistent and continued to make a commotion: “I need a knife, I need a knife now!”

While the woman was carrying on, a cursed Nazi ym’’s appeared at the scene and asked what the uproar was about.  When he was told that the woman wanted a knife to commit suicide, the Nazi sarcastically replied, “no problem,” and handed the woman a knife.

To the astonishment of all, the woman pulled out a newborn baby from under her apron, drew the knife, and circumcised her son in front of all onlookers. While bandaging her precious, tiny infant, she cried out: “Ribbono Shel Olam, you gave me a son which I cannot raise, but at least I’m returning him to you as a Yid!”

The murderous Nazi was so enraged by her deceitful act and instantly murdered mother and child in cold blood.

The Bluzhever Rebbe zt’’l concluded the story with tears. “One can’t fathom the thoughts of this Yiddishe Mamma and the Kiddush Hashem she made upon her death – but her virtuous act shows the tremendous mesiras nefesh a Yid has to perform this special mitzvah!”