Jewish Covenant Essay

The notion of covenant in Judaism is an overarching theme, repeated at integral moments throughout Jewish history and important in shaping the identity of the Jewish nation. The covenants made between people and God provide a unique opportunity for one to examine pivotal interactions between humans and the divine. Three major covenants were formed, first a moral covenant with Noah, then a familial covenant with Abraham and later a legislative covenant with Moses. It was through these covenants that a united Jewish identity was formed, and continues to exist today. These bilateral, eternally binding agreements, in a way, briefly personify God, grounding his incomprehensible omniscient nature in an act that can be related to by people of all

Abraham is considered the founding father of the Jewish people; it was through his rejection of pagan idolatry and his whole-hearted acceptance of a single omnipotent God, that a mutual covenant was formed. Abraham promised to accept and warship God alone as the one true divine power, in turn God promises that Abraham’s descendants will become a great nation, and live in the land of Israel (***). This covenant plays an integral role in the relationship that Jewish people have with their God, and serves as the foundation on which a Jewish nation is built. However, it was not until God formed a covenant with Moses that Judaism blossomed as an entire way of life. My Grandfather has a saying that he whips out whenever he feels like imparting some good old fashioned wisdom on his grandchildren, he says, “Your parents provide you with two very important things: roots and wings.” What he means by ‘roots’ is a sense of being grounded, family history, and awareness of where one comes from. ‘Wings’ represent the support and resources that parents ought to provide, both emotionally and physically, allowing their children to take off and pursue greatness and happiness in life. After the covenant with Abraham, Jewish people had roots; they had a spiritual belief system passed down through generations, and the beginning of a strong familiar identity as a people. Once God bestowed