We all have relationships at various levels.
There are shallow ones. And there are deeper ones.
Then there are Covenantal ones.
What's a 'Covenantal' relationship? It's an attitude that takes relationships to a whole new level.
When two parties forge a covenant, it means that their relationship is beyond the spectrum.
Its deep. And real.
Imagine if your spouse said I really love you. But when I go to work, its all about me. I never think about you; youre not even in the back of my mind.
I work for my self-interest, not to build a better life for us. In short: Youre totally off my radar screen from 9 to 5.
But I genuinely love you from 5 to 9.
Is that possible?
I dont think so.
A genuine covenantal - relationship doesnt mean that we spend 24-7 gazing at into each others eyes. But it means that each is at some level always part of the others life. One partner may be totally engrossed elsewhere, but the other is never truly out of the equation.
The same applies to our relationship with the Divine.
The core of a relationship with G-d isnt about Yom Kippur; its not even about praying three times a day, although those are special opportunities for gazing into each others eyes.
Maintaining a covenantal relationship means that G-d Meaning, Responsibility, Destiny is never out of the equation.
And its specifically when Im out of the house that I can express this level of commitment. If Im mindful, our covenant shines.
When Im at work, eating lunch or facing a stressful situation thats when I need to remain conscious - at some level - of my Divine covenant.
Our Covenant is an agreement to bring Meaning and Responsibility into all areas of life, not just the spiritual ones.
And thats what the Bris (Bris means Covenant because it represents our deep relationship with the Divine) expresses.
The Bris engages a physical potentially self-indulgent - part of the body, and says this too can be Holy.
It teaches us that the physical does not innately contradict the Holy; it depends on our focus and consciousness.
Because in a deep relationship, the other is always part of the equation.