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There are a number of answers. God made a covenant with Abraham (Genesis ch.15) to give the Holy Land to him and his descendants, and another covenant together with the command of circumcision (Genesis ch.17). The closeness to God which accompanied the covenant was reiterated in a covenant between God and Isaac, and again with Jacob (Leviticus ch.42).
The covenant wasn't for free, and it wasn't arbitrary. Tradition teaches that they merited the covenant because they were superlative in their level of devotion to God. Had they chosen to be men of less than perfect righteousness, God would have had no dealings with them (as was the case with Shem*, Eber, and many others).
Later, in the context of giving the Torah, God made a covenant with the descendants of the Forefathers (Exodus 19:5 and 34:27), who by that time were a nation of myriads (Numbers 10:36). The steps by which the covenant was instituted are narrated in Exodus ch.24.
According to tradition, our side of the covenant means keeping the Torah, and God's side of the covenant means treasuring the People of the Torah (see Deuteronomy 27:16-19, and 30:15-20).
*Talmud, Nedarim 32.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoWe keep the covenant by obeying the Torah's commands and beliefs. There are hundreds of examples.
The laws have various reasons. Some (such as the Passover) serve to reenact or remember events of our history.
Some (such as saying the Shema-prayer) serve to reiterate our belief in God.
Some of the laws (such as those of ritual purity and kosher food) serve to sanctify us.
Some (such as the laws of torts) serve to maintain an orderly and just society.
Some (such as the law against breaking a vow) serve to prevent bad character traits.
Some (such as the command to offer help) serve to engender good character traits.
And all of the commands serve to subjugate us to God's will (especially those commands for which no explanation is easily apparent).
Some examples of the commands:
Putting on Tefillin (a.k.a. phylacteries) in the morning
The sukkah-booth during Sukkot
Avoiding leavened products in Passover
Not eating on Yom Kippur
Not working on the Shabbat
Paying workers on time
Marital rights for one's wife
Counting the days of the Omer
Returning lost objects when feasible
Wearing the tzitzith-garment
Learning Torah
Marrying and having children
Educating one's children in Judaism
Giving tzedakah (charity)
Honoring one's parents
And many more.
Note that the Torah "as is" isn't exactly what Judaism observes. Rather, It's the Torah together with the details provided in the Talmud, which is the Oral Law that was handed down together with the laws of Moses. Otherwise, the verses of the Torah often lack enough detail to be fulfilled as is.
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What are the teachings, practices, principles and beliefs of Judaism?
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Is Judaism based on sacred texts?
Judaism is based on our covenant with God. The Torah contains the obligations of that covenant and the historical narration of how it came about.
What is Covenant keeper?
A Covenant Keeper is someone who upholds their promises and commitments made in a covenant or agreement. It often refers to a person who remains faithful and loyal to their obligations and responsibilities.
Do Jews agree with their covenant with the Lord?
Yes.
What is the difference between a covenant and a convention in international law?
Covenant, convention and treaty are used synonymously. Each and all refer to formal agreements between states that defines and modifies their mutual duties and obligations. When Conventions [or covenants or treaties] are adopted by the UN General Assembly, they create legally binding international obligations for the Member States who have signed the treaty. When a national government Ratifies a treaty [or a covenant or a convention], the articles of that treaty [or a convention or a covenant] become part of its domestic legal obligations.
What was the second covenant?
The second covenant in the Bible is the covenant between God and Noah, commonly known as the Noahic Covenant. This covenant was established after the Great Flood and was a promise from God to never again destroy the world with a flood. It also included the sign of the rainbow as a symbol of this covenant.
What does a Jehovah's Witness understand from what Paul talks about in Romans 2?
Briefly: # Natural Jews who become Christians are no longer under the Mosaic Law Covenant. ## Non-Jewish Christians do not come to be under it. # Non-Jews have never been under the Mosaic Law Covenant. ## Spiritual Israel has replaced fleshly Israel. # Spirit anointed Christians are the Jews now, under the new Covenant. i. Galatians 6:16 = "The Israel of God." ii. Romans 9:6= Not all from Israel are really "Israel." iii. "So" or "in this manner" all Israel will be saved.-Romans 11:26. iv. In what manner? As described from Romans 9:6-11:26.
Why were Jews from Jesus' time not faithful to God's covenant?
Some of them were!
Why is the concept of a covenant with God central to Hebrew teachings?
If there were no covenant, the Jewish obligations to God, and the relationship with Him, might be viewed as optional. And we might worry that God could abrogate His promises.
The physical act by male Jews as a sign of the special covenant?
Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish faith. God made a Covenant with Abraham.
What is a covenant and which religion was founded based on one?
A covenant literally means a promise or pact, in the case of the jews, G-d made a covenant with Abraham about his descendants and what they would inherit and become
What is the significances of the Torah?
It is God's covenant and its mitzvoth (commands) are binding upon Jews.
Why are Jews so connected with God?
Because of our covenant with Him (Exodus ch.19).
