What is the Bris Milah?

The Bris Milah ritual circumcision, is entering the recipient (the infant) into the covenant that Hashem made with Avraham Avinu (Abraham our forefather).  Bris is known as “The Covenant of Avraham Avinu” because Avraham Avinu was the first among man commanded by Hashem to receive and pass on for all coming generations the Mitzvah of Bris Milah.  As the Torah states in ספר בראשית, פרק י"ז :

ויאמר אלוקים אל אברהם ואתה את בריתי תשמור אתה וזרעך אחריך לדרתם זאת בריתי אשר תשמרו ביני וביניכם ובין זרעך אחריך המול לכם כל זכר ונמלתם את בשר ערלתכם והיה לאות ברית ביני וביניכם ובן שמונת ימים ימול לכם כל זכר לדרתיכם
           
Hashem said to Avraham “and as for you, you shall keep my covenant – you and your offspring after you throughout their generations.  This is my covenant which you shall keep between me and you and your offspring after you; every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be the sign of the covenant between me and you.  At the age of eight days every male among you shall be circumcised throughout your generations.

By correctly fulfilling this first Mitzvah for your son, you are guaranteeing your child a place amongst the Jewish nation and by doing so, you are symbolizing your affirmation and faith in Hashem’s commandments to its highest possible level.