Chasam Sofer explains that a Jew, whether he has a physical milah or not, is not an orlas lev. He has an inherent connection to Hashem. The Mishna in nedarim writes that someone who takes a neder that applies to aralim does not mean to include Jews, even those who might not have a milah. The milah just removes orlas *"basar,** the physical orlah.
The same is not true for an eved who lacks that inherent connection. He must undergo a complete transformation through the milah.
"a Jew...is not an orlas lev. He has an inherent connection to Hashem."
ReplyDeleteyet the unique 'inherency' at Devarim 10:15, mi'kol-ha'amim, comes to announce that a connected heart is NOT a given [but only a potential] -- you shall circumcise the foreskin of your heart, 10:16
"an eved...must undergo a complete transformation"
maybe we've two/thirds of a sequence at Shemos 12:44-- the eved undergoes milah, then partakes of a korban pesach that celebrates Israeli household distinction (v'es-bateinu he'tzeel, 12:27); the eved then acknowledges the eventual benefit* of this separation to himself: 'baruch Atah Hashem Elokeinu Melech ha'olam, she'asani a'ved'-- he is blessed* to be slave to an Israelite, rather than some other. that the Jews were finally freed from Egypt meant a new breed of masters now bought on the regional market...[?]
*easy to say in theory