Editing Krisas Bris - Cutting a covenant (section)

== Forms of Covenant ==

==== Covenant Through Participation ====
The two covenant-makers participate in something specific - as a sign and remembrance of the covenant's terms (how each one will behave). This means they compel themselves to behave according to the rules they set forth through participation in that object.

==== Covenant Through Cutting ====
Both parties cut an animal in two, showing that neither has completeness without the other (as in the Covenant Between the Parts).

In Chassidut it is explained that cutting the animal in two does not indicate separation between them. On the contrary, it shows that despite the two lovers being two separate bodies, they are nevertheless part of one essence. Like the two parts of the animal which, despite being cut, are part of one body.

This animal that is cut serves as the intermediary connecting the two lovers.