The spiritual root of circumcision is the desire to cut ties with our egoism.
Egoism is the desire to enjoy at the expense of others and nature, and those who wish to detach from it do so in order to connect with the Creator, the quality of love, bestowal and connection—the positive force of nature—opposite to egoism.
Egoism prevents us from feeling the Creator. It dwells in our heart, i.e. in the desires behind our thoughts and behaviors. As such, it is written, “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart” (Deuteronomy 10:16). The human ego constantly grows within us, and at a certain point of our development, we awaken spiritually, recognize the ego as an evil quality positioned against a positive force of love, bestowal and connection, and reach a state called “circumcision,” where we feel the need to rid ourselves of the ego. We are then left with only positive intentions toward others, which is the revelation of the upper spiritual world. We can then feel the spiritual life of love, bestowal and connection with everyone up to a point of loving the Creator, the divine and benevolent force that governs and fills reality.
Based on the video “What Is the Spiritual Root of Circumcision?” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman and Oren Levi. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.
Featured in Quora