Covenants with the Jewish People (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

What is a covenant?

• A covenant is an agreement between two or more people

• It can be thought of as a deal in which both sides have responsibilities or duties that must be upheld if the covenant is to be considered binding

• In religion, a covenant is a commitment of love and creates a relationship that is different from that of a contract

• Covenants in Judaism can only be established and sealed by an oath

• The oath is so important in a covenant that the word “oath” is sometimes used instead of the word “covenant”

• The covenant with G-d is described as “an everlasting covenant” (Brit Olam) and describes the view that G-d will never break his covenant with the Jewish people

  • The covenant means that Jews believe they have a special relationship with G-d, as well as a relationship with one another

  • The relationship contributes to the Jewish identity and encourages them to examine who they are in relation to G-d

  • It means that everyone in the community is a member of the covenant and important to G-d, and therefore, all Jews should be important to each other

  • It also helps Jews to focus on their obligation to live according to tradition and how G-d wants people to live: generously, compassionately and with concern for justice and the welfare of others

What is the covenant of circumcision with Abraham?

• For Jews, Abraham is known as the founder or first patriarch of Judaism, and Jewish people strive to follow his example

• He was the first Jewish prophet who received the first covenant from G-d and took G-d’s message to the people

• It was through Abraham that the idea of the Promised Land, a homeland for Jewish people, was created

• There are three main parts of the covenant between G-d and Abraham

  • G-d called Abraham and his family to the new land of Canaan, often referred to as the Promised Land

  • G-d promised Abraham he would make a great nation for him

  • G-d promised to bless Abraham and his family

• The story of G-d giving Abraham the covenant is important within Judaism 

  • Abraham was born in the city of Ur (located in the country now called Iraq) at a time when worshipping idols was common

  • The Book of Genesis explains how G-d spoke to Abraham in a vision

• G-d instructed Abraham to leave his home and travel to Canaan, the Promised Land, which is today known as Israel

• G-d asked Abraham to follow his rules and be a good example to others

• In return, G-d promised to give Abraham and his wife Sarah the child they both longed for and to name their descendants as his chosen people

• Abraham agreed that he and his descendants would obey and worship G-d and lead by example

• As part of the covenant, G-d commanded that the covenant was sealed through Abraham’s circumcision

• Abraham kept this covenant and his wife, Sarah, gave birth to their son, Isaac

• G-d chose Isaac to inherit the covenant directly from his father, and Isaac handed it on to his own son, Jacob

• Therefore, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are known as Israel’s patriarchs

• As a sign of this continuing covenant, Jewish people perform the rite of circumcision of male babies eight days after they are born in a ceremony called Brit Milah

What is the covenant of law with Moses?

• Moses is regarded as the greatest prophet in Judaism

  • Jews believe that he, too, made an important covenant with G-d

  • It is believed that Moses is the only person to have ever witnessed God face-to-face

  • Moses delivered the words of G-d and received miracles sent by God

  • Jews believe that G-d acted through Moses

• The story of Moses is important for Jewish belief and practices, especially the story where he led the Israelites out of slavery to the Promised Land

  • This journey is remembered and celebrated at the festivals of Succoth and Pesach

  • G-d promised to be with Moses in his role

What is the Covenant at Sinai?

• Jews believe that:

  • After Moses had led the Israelites out of Egypt, he took them through the desert and disappeared up a mountain (Mount Sinai)

  • This is when G-d revealed to Moses the 613 commandments that Jews are expected to follow, including the Ten Commandments

  • G-d spoke to Moses through a burning bush

  • Many Jews (mainly Orthodox Jews) also believe that Moses was given the oral Torah, which was passed down by word of mouth to help people interpret the written Torah

• Moses was also given the Ten Commandments to teach the children of Israel about the most important rules to live by

• Moses formed a covenant with G-d that, as G-d’s chosen people, the Israelites would keep the commandments

The Promised Land

• The Tanakh repeatedly refers to G-d’s offer of a Promised Land for Abraham and his descendants

  • G-d promised Abraham and his wife Sarah many descendants

• Today, many Jews believe that the land now known as Israel belongs to Jews in fulfilment of G-d’s covenant with Abraham to give the Jewish people a Promised Land

  • This has often led to conflict both within and outside the religion

  • In 1948, despite opposition from Arab countries in the Middle East, the State of Israel was created

  • Since then, there have been many disputes, and even wars, over the land

Why is the covenant with Abraham important to the Jewish people?

• The covenant with Abraham is very important to Jewish faith and practice for many reasons:

  • The covenant is viewed as the foundation of the Jewish faith

  • It is also the first formal agreement between G-d and the Jewish people

  • It marks the beginning of the Jewish people’s special relationship with G-d

  • It is also the first time that there is the promise of the Promised Land

    • G-d promised Abraham: “To your descendants I give this land” (Genesis 15:18)

    • This forms the basis for the Jewish connection to the Land of Israel

  • It is the promise of the Jews as a great nation

    • G-d said: “I will make you into a great nation” (Genesis 12:2)

    • Abraham would become the father of the Jewish people, and Jews see themselves as his spiritual descendants

  • It is also important because of the responsibilities of the covenant

    • Abraham promised to worship only one G-d (monotheism), and in return, G-d promised protection and blessing

    • Brit Milah (circumcision) was given as a sign of the covenant and is still practised today

Why is the covenant with Moses important to the Jewish people?

• For Jews, the covenant with Moses is seen as the foundation of Jewish Law

  • G-d gave the Torah (including the Ten Commandments) to Moses on Mount Sinai

  • These laws form the basis of Jewish life, worship and morality

• The covenant includes 613 commandments that guide all areas of life

  • Orthodox Jews follow them strictly, and they are also important to Reform Jews 

• The Ten Commandments were placed in the Ark of the Covenant and kept in the Tabernacle and later the Temple

  • This symbolises G-d’s presence among the people

• The covenant reaffirms the identity of Jews as G-d’s chosen people

  • G-d tells Moses that the Jews will be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6)

  • This reinforces their special relationship with G-d and their duty to be a moral example

• The covenant remains relevant today and continues to shape Jewish life

  • It is celebrated at festivals like Shavuot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah

What are the different views on the importance of covenants within Judaism?

• There are different views amongst Jews about the importance of the covenants of Abraham and Moses

  • Within Orthodox Judaism, the covenant with Abraham is seen as the foundation of the Jewish faith

    • It marks Jews as G-d’s chosen people

    • The commandment of circumcision (Brit Milah) is still strictly followed as a sign of this covenant

  • The covenant with Moses is considered more detailed and central to daily life

    • It contains the 613 mitzvot, including the Ten Commandments, which must be fully observed

    • This is viewed as the basis of the Torah and Jewish law

  • Within Reform and Liberal Judaism, the covenant with Abraham is still highly respected for its symbolism of faith, identity and connection to G-d

    • However, Brit Milah may be optional or reinterpreted in some liberal communities

  • The covenant with Moses is viewed as important, but not all laws are seen as binding

    • The focus is more on ethical principles than ritual law

    • Some commandments may be adapted to fit modern values and equality

How does the covenant of Abraham impact Jewish daily life?

• The covenant with Abraham impacts Jews in relation to their sense of identity and commitment to the faith

  • For example, for most Jews, Brit Milah (Circumcision) is still performed on 8-day-old boys as a sign of the covenant

    • This symbolises belonging to the Jewish people and commitment to G-d

  • The covenant also gives Jews a sense of chosenness

    • Jews see themselves as G-d’s chosen people with a special mission to live by his values

  • Many Jews also feel a connection to the Land of Israel

    • The promise of land affects Jewish prayers and Zionist beliefs

• The covenant with Moses impacts Jews more in relation to law and practice

  • The 613 mitzvot guide many aspects of daily life (Orthodox Jews especially), including:

    • Keeping kosher

    • Observing Shabbat

    • Praying regularly

    • Wearing tefillin and a tallit

  • The covenant also influences the relationship Jews have with others

    • Laws about justice, kindness and charity are followed to reflect G-d’s will

  • Studying the Torah is a lifelong duty to understand and follow G-d’s laws