Bris Milah which some pronounce Brit Milah is the Hebrew phrase which refers to Jewish traditional circumcision performed by a mohel.
Bris Milah (Brit Milah) literally translates as the "Covenant of Circumcision" which refers to the removal of the foreskin.
A covenant is a formal binding agreement between two or more people or parties. When performing Bris Milah (Brit Milah) the Jewish people are identifying themselves as a nation devoted to G-d.
The Bris Milah (Brit Milah) puts a mark on their flesh signifying the allegiance to Him and their willingness to do His will.
G-d responds in kind by choosing the Jewish nation as His chosen people. The covenant between G-d and the Jewish people began when he commanded our forefather Abraham to perform Bris Milah (Brit Milah) upon himself and his family.
With this began the practice of Bris Milah (Brit Milah), whereby Jews in every generation have Bris Milah (Brit Milah) performed on their boys, usually when they are eight days old.
A reason why Bris Milah (Brit Milah) is specifically done by removal of the foreskin, is because that part of the body can be used in two opposite extremes. First it may be used for the great purpose of bringing offspring into the world and on the other hand it can be used for used for destructive and promiscuous purposes.
When we do Bris Milah (Brit Milah) we are asserting our identification with G-d and our commitment to use our entire bodies for great purposes. The positive commandment stated in the Torah (Jewish Bible) to perform circumcision, also carries with it a grave consequence for those that do not have circumcision.
The Torah (Jewish Bible) states that G-d will cut off any Jewish male who is not circumcised. Not having Bris Milah (Brit Milah) is one of only two positive commandments in the Torah (Jewish Bible) which carry this severe punishment. When one has a Bris Milah (Brit Milah) and is circumcised in accordance with Jewish tradition, he will of course receive eternal rewards for his actions.