What was the significance of the covenant to the Hebrew people?

Answer 1

In Bible times, (there were several covenants made between HaShemand the people). It was important because it brought the Jewish people into a relationship with their God, HaShem, who promised if they kept their promise to obey Him, He would protect. When HaShem joined the Jews in their covenant, He stated that the covenant would be eternal.

The importance of the covenant to Jews because it gives Jews their path to HaShem.

Answer 2

The covenant made between G-d and Abraham is that the Jewish nation is required to be a "light among the nations," to portray through example the path toward spiritual perfection. This is an eternal bond that will not be broken.

Answer 3

Answer 1

The covenant is a binding agreement and relationship between God and the Israelites. We consider the connection with God to be the most important thing that there is. It would be like asking why people feel that breathing is important.

Answer 2

The reason that makes the covenant important is that it does three main things. It provide the Jews an objective for which to strive: cleaving to God. It gives reasons to justify the desirability of this outcome: the betterment of the world and our own souls and moral character. And, most importantly, it provides a strict set of actions required to get to the objective. To religious Jews, this answers the question of "What is the meaning of life?"

Answer 4

It defines our relationship with God.

There are three covenants. Two which God made with Abraham (Genesis ch.15 and Genesis ch.17), and one with Abraham's Israelite descendants in the time of Moses after the Exodus.
The full text of the third covenant is actually the Torah itself, because it lists all our commands and beliefs. That is why the Torah is called The Book of the Covenant.

Answer 5

Because the co-signer was God.

There are three covenants. Two which God made with Abraham (Genesis ch.15 and Genesis ch.17), and one with Abraham's Israelite descendants in the time of Moses after the Exodus.
1) In Genesis ch.15, the Covenant Between the Parts:
a) God informs Abraham of future events (the Egyptian exile)
b) God promises the land of Canaan (Israel) to Abraham's descendants
c) The covenant is finalized through a demonstration of God's presence (see Genesis 15:7-9 and 15:17).

2) In Genesis ch.17, the covenant of circumcision:
a) The promises of many descendants (17:2,3) and of inheriting the land of Canaan are repeated (17:8), but the main thing in this covenant is the promise that God will be the God of Abraham (17:7, 17:8).
b) God promises that Abraham and Sarah will have a son (17:15-16), whom they will name Isaac (17:19) and who will be the continuation of God's covenant with Abraham (17:21).
c) The covenant itself is manifested through circumcision, for Abraham and his descendants (17:10).

3) The covenant between God and the Israelite nation (see Exodus ch.19 and ch.24), was made in the time of Moses, with Moses serving as the messenger.
This covenant is one of obedience, to listen to God's voice (Exodus 19:5), which will include the entire Torah (24:12). God, for His part, promised to treasure the Israelites (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 26:16-19). The covenant was manifested through God's giving the Ten Commandments (Exodus ch.19-20), and was finalized (on our part) through the offerings described in Exodus ch.24.

See also:

What did God promise to the Israelites?

What was the outward sign of the Israelite covenant?

Answer 6

It meant that we had a unique relationship with God and that we must obey the Torah. See also the Related Link.

More about the covenant

Answer 7

There are three covenants. Two which God made with Abraham (Genesis ch.15 and Genesis ch.17), and one with Abraham's Israelite descendants in the time of Moses after the Exodus.

• 1) In Genesis ch.15, the Covenant Between the Parts:
  

a) God informs Abraham of future events (the Egyptian exile)
b) God promises the land of Canaan (Israel) to Abraham's descendants
c) The covenant is finalized through a demonstration of God's presence (see Genesis 15:7-9 and 15:17).

Link: More about Abraham

• 2) In Genesis ch.17, the covenant of circumcision:
  

a) The promises of many descendants (17:2,3) and of inheriting the land of Canaan are repeated (17:8), but the main thing in this covenant is the promise that God will be the God of Abraham (17:7, 17:8).
b) God promises that Abraham and Sarah will have a son (17:15-16), whom they will name Isaac (17:19) and who will be the continuation of God's covenant with Abraham (17:21).
c) The covenant itself is manifested through circumcision, for Abraham and his descendants (17:10).

• 3) The covenant between God and the Israelite nation (see Exodus ch.19 and ch.24), was made in the time of Moses, with Moses serving as the messenger.
  

This covenant is one of obedience, to listen to God's voice (Exodus 19:5), which will include the entire Torah (24:12). God, for His part, promised to treasure the Israelites (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 26:16-19). The covenant was manifested through God's giving the Ten Commandments (Exodus ch.19-20), and was finalized (on our part) through the offerings described in Exodus ch.24.

See also the other Related Links.

Link: The Ten Commandments

Link: What did God promise to the Israelites?

Link: What was the outward sign of the Israelite covenant?

Answer 8

God gave Moses the Law, which is still respected today.

Answer 9

It meant that we were entering into a unique connection with God and that we must keep His Torah.

Answer 10

The covenant placed a binding moral responsibility and code upon the Israelites. They had (and have) to abide by the Torah and its rules, which specify details of ethics and moral conduct.