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Does bris milah performed before the eighth day fulfill the mitzvah (מצוה) obligation, even if it creates the status of baal brit? The Gemara (גמרא) distinguishes between achieving circumcised status versus the complete mitzvah of milah b'zmanah. This chakira explains why only proper-time circumcision overrides Shabbos (שבת) and reveals how timing requirements define mitzvah fulfillment itself.
This in-depth Gemara (גמרא) shiur explores Shabbos (שבת) 131b's discussion of bris milah timing and its relationship to Shabbos observance. The Gemara addresses fundamental questions about when circumcision must be performed and under what circumstances it overrides Shabbos prohibitions. The core issue centers on whether bris milah performed before the eighth day (such as on the seventh day) is valid and whether it carries the same mitzvah (מצוה) weight. The Gemara brings various proofs, including the principle of 'chaviva mitzvah b'zmanah' (a mitzvah is beloved in its proper time), which suggests that mitzvos should ideally be performed at their designated times rather than earlier or later.
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Shabbos 131b
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