Some thoughts on Bris Mila regarding chinuch:

A Philosopher asked Rav Hoshea “If Bris Mila is so intrinsic and so loved by Hashem, why didn’t he create man already that way?
When we look around the world we see many of Hashem’s works, created in perfection, but still leave room for us to enhance them or decide their best function. Yet still, even after we carve a stone into a wheel or turn wheat into flour into bread, that still does not detract from the fact that Hashem created something perfectly as it was. What Hashem does is give us the opportunity to partner with him and share in the creation process. Hence we do not really create anything new, and matter can neither be destroyed or created, it just changes forms.

Our children are a perfect gift from Hashem, they contain everything they need. However, as their mechanchim we are in a position to guide and cultivate their kochos in different directions. Of course children also have freewill unlike a stone or wheat, but the mitzvah of Bris Milah, given as the responsibility of parents, teaches us the major responsibility and impact we have on our children in education them, preparing them, and guiding them to be the adults they will eventually grow up to be. May we be zocheh to help our children realize their potential and bring out the best of them. To appreciate the kochos, middos, and imperfections Hashem has perfectly created them with, and continue our mission that only began with the fulfillment of the mitzvah of bris mila we performed on our children that continues through their years of education, guiding them in raising a family, and actualizing their potential in a real way that contributes to the world (Torah, Chupah, UMaasim Tovim).

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Ari Deutscher MSW
Menahel