הַסֵּדֶר לְאַחַר מַתַּן תּוֹרָה הוּא: הֲסָרַת עָרְלַת הַגּוּף, הַלָּשׁוֹן, הַלֵּב — מַעֲשֶׂה דִּבּוּר מַחֲשָׁבָה, אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ שֶׁהָיָה קוֹדֶם מַתַּן תּוֹרָההֲרֵי בַּתְּחִילָה הִכִּיר אֶת בּוֹרְאוֹ — מַחֲשָׁבָה, אַחַר כַּךְפִּרְסֵם אֱלֹקוּתוֹ — דִּבּוּר, וְאַחַר כַּךְ מִילָה — מַעֲשֶׂה.

In the era since the Giving of the Torah, the stages [in our Divine service] are: first, removing the foreskin of the body, then of the tongue, and then of the heart1 — action, speech, and thought. Avraham Avinu, who lived before the Giving of the Torah, first “recognized his Creator”2 — thought; then publicized G‑d’s existence — speech; then performed the circumcision — action.3

Delving Deeply

Before the Torah was given, man had to reach out to G‑d, struggling to overcome his base desires in order to connect with the spiritual. After the Giving of the Torah, the motif changes. Man follows G‑d’s command, and through his obedience, steps beyond his mortal frame of reference and relates to G‑d on His terms.

Yet both approaches are eternally valid. In terms of our endeavors, we must begin by purifying our thoughts, by studying and contemplating holy concepts. Then, naturally, we will discuss them with others, until we finally act upon them.

From G‑d’s perspective, the most important thing is the purpose for which we are sent into the world. Are we transforming the world into a dwelling place for the Divine? This is action. Speech comes next, with its ability to awaken and influence others. Finally, we refine our thoughts. This applies to ourselves alone.

The process in the era since the Giving of the Torah defines our mission in the world; hence action comes first. The approach in the era before the Giving of the Torah teaches us how to develop our personal connection with the Torah and integrate it within our lives; hence we begin with thought.4