Q&A: The Order in Maimonides’ Laws of Circumcision
The Order in Maimonides’ Laws of Circumcision
Question
Could the Rabbi perhaps explain why Maimonides writes in Chapter 1, in the commandment of circumcision, lengthy discussions about the circumcision of slaves and the different types of slaves, and only in Chapter 2 does he begin to write what circumcision actually is at all?! Seemingly the order should be the reverse. And I haven’t seen anyone address this.
Answer
I don’t see why this needs to be addressed. There are no lengthy pilpul-style discussions there. He opens with the obligation to circumcise one’s son, and afterward there are several laws that mention that circumcision applies not only to a Jewish child but also to a convert and a slave. After determining who is obligated to circumcise, he goes into the laws of the circumcision itself. That’s all.
Discussion on Answer
Did you see anything there about this?
I haven’t had a chance to check this specific issue. I’m just used to checking there whenever a question comes up.
I don’t have that edition of Maimonides at home. If I remember, when I’m at the study hall I’ll check for you.
Sorry for taking so long to respond. (Previous commitments during the kids’ vacation…)
If you still haven’t gotten around to checking in “HaMafte’ach,” then thank God I did. And there’s no reference to your question.
I also looked at Maimonides’ own words—and simply speaking, the Rabbi’s explanation above is correct.
(And I only came to draw your attention to that booklet—“HaMafte’ach”)
At the end of the Maimonides volumes published in Rabbi Shabtai Frankel’s edition, there is a book called “HaMafte’ach,” which brings references to many questions on Maimonides, literally in the order of the laws. I recommend looking there regularly whenever you have difficulty with Maimonides.