Shmirat habrit is the foundation of all of the Torah. The Kabbalists teach that if a Jew keeps Shabbat, studies Torah, gives charity generously, and generally excels in his overall mitzvah observance, but is lax in guarding his sexual holiness, then all of the spiritual energy created by his Torah study and mitzvot is diverted to the realm of impurity, giving strength to the unholy forces in the world. Without the foundation of shmirat habrit, a person's observance of Torah suffers a devastating spiritual knockout.
To further highlight the supreme stature of living a life of sexual holiness, we will list 60 outstanding virtues of shmirat habrit, as compiled by the Torah giant, Rabbi Aharon Rata, in his book, "Taharat HaKodesh." In the original Hebrew text, Rabbi Rata brings sources for each entry in the list.
1. The person who guards the Brit is the pinnacle of Creation, and the world is upheld by him.
2. There is no nation in the world that can rule over Israel, in the merit of those who guard the Brit.
3. It is as if he kept all of the Torah.
4. He will merit to see HaKadosh Baruch Hu in the future world, and this is the greatest possible pleasure.
5. He will merit to achieve the completion of his soul.
6. He will merit that the Shechinah not depart from him.
7. His physical aspect will also be illuminated.
8. He is called a man of valor.
9. HaKadosh Baruch Hu attires him with the attribute of splendor.
10. He merits to cleave to G-d.
11. HaKadosh Baruch Hu will heal him from all of his ailments and pains.
12. He draws favorable blessings on himself and his family.
13. HaKadosh Baruch Hu guards over him, and nothing can cause him harm.
14. HaKadosh Baruch Hu takes pride in him each day.
15. HaKadosh Baruch Hu remembers him every day.
16. He is called flawless.
17. He is called tzaddik.
18. Blessings first come to him, and then to the rest of the world.
19. He merits righteous children.
20. The angel "Duma" and all of the destructive angels do not have permission to come near him.
21. He brings blessing to the Shechinah.
22. He merits pleasure in his service of G-d.
23. HaKadosh Baruch Hu grants him more honor than anyone else.
24. He merits to be spared from the tribulations of Mashiach's coming, and from all kinds of punishments, and he merits to be redeemed.
25. After the redemption, at the time of the great day of judgment, he will be spared.
26. HaKadosh Baruch Hu establishes the world to come for him.
27. He is joined to the Shechinah, and she bears witness for him to save him from all of the accusing angels - during his life and after his death.
28. He merits royalty.
29. He unites HaKadosh Baruch Hu with the Shechinah.
30. He has permission to enter the gate of the Tzaddikim.
31. The Angel of Death has no permission to approach him, and his death comes not at its hands.
32. He merits to experience the holiness of Shabbat.
33. The Name of G-d rests on him.
34. He rescues many souls from Gehinom.
35. He becomes the partner of G-d.
36. He merits the Divine Likeness.
37. He merits to vanquish the four impure klipot.
38. He is inscribed in the highest world.
39. The upper and lower celestial beings tremble before him.
40. The waves and storms of the ocean become calm before him.
41. HaKadosh Baruch Hu shelters him from enemies and from the evil eye.
42. No accusing angel can damage his soul.
43. He merits to reach exalted levels.
44. He is called the work of G-d's hands and the goal of Creation.
45. He is called a member of the King's court.
46. The Names of G-d protect him.
47. He brings about the sweetening of bitter decrees.
48. He is called the complete man.
49. He fills the holy sefirot with Divine influx.
50. From this, he himself receives constant blessings.
51. His image is imprinted in the Shechinah.
52. When there is suffering in the world, the Patriarchs join with him to cancel the evil decree.
53. All of the evil spiritual forces and the Sitra Achara take distance from him.
54. The main factor in the coming of the redemption is Shmirat HaBrit.
55. The kingship of the House of David and the building of Jerusalem depends on Shmirat HaBrit.
56. After his death, he is worthy of an aron, the internment befitting a righteous man like Yosef.
57. He is saved from all harsh judgments.
58. He causes the renewal of the stream of blessings to the world which was dried up because of sins.
59. He is called an unblemished, righteous man.
60. His body does not return to dust.