Why does the Torah begin this verse with the letter "Vav" (meaning, "and")?
Rashi: HaSh-m was saying to Avraham, "I have entered into a covenant with you, and it is up to you to maintain that covenant by performing the Bris Milah!"
What is the meaning of Bris Milah, and why was Avraham chosen to first fulfill this Mitzvah?
Maharal (Tif'eres Yisrael Ch. 19, p. 60): The word Orlah means a covering or a blockage. 1 The generations prior to Avraham were under the domain of Teva (the natural order since Creation), and nature separated between them and HaSh-m. Avraham was the first to emerge from this blockage; earning a connection to HaSh-m and a covenant with Him. Therefore, a Bris is performed on the eighth day, for the number eight means being above nature [which was created in seven days].
For instance, the expression "Orlas ha'Lev" (Yirmeyahu 9:25) means that nothing can penetrate into the heart.
"How great is Bris Milah; thirteen covenants were sealed upon it! [I.e. the word "Bris" is mentioned thirteen times in this section of the Torah]" (Nedarim 31b). What does this signify?
Rosh (to 17:13): This corresponds to the 13 Midos through which the Torah is expounded. The Mitzvah of Milah (like Shabbos and Tefilin) corresponds to the entire Torah.
Maharal (Chidushei Agados Vol. 2, p. 5, to Nedarim 31b): The Orlah is a Kelipah ("shell") that separates HaSh-m from a person, and its removal completes the covenant with HaSh-m. By definition, an absolute covenant can only be made with one party, and not two. Avraham is known as "unique" (Yachid), 1 and 13 is the Gematriya of "Echad" (one).
Pesachim 118a.
Why is the Mitzvah of Milah called ?B?ris??
Peninim mi?Shulchan ha?G?ra: The Gematriya of ?B?ris? ? including the Mitzvah itself = Taryag, an indication that the Mitzvah of B?ris Milah is equivalenqt to the entire Torah ? and a gentile cannot convert without it.
