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Judaism: Covenant. Stage 1 Studies in Religion 2013. What does ‘Covenant’ mean?. It is a Hebrew word meaning an arrangement between two parties. In a Religious sense, it is a sacred promise between God and another. In Hebrew ‘Brit’ means covenant, pact or treaty.
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Judaism: Covenant Stage 1 Studies in Religion 2013
What does ‘Covenant’ mean? • It is a Hebrew word meaning an arrangement between two parties. • In a Religious sense, it is a sacred promise between God and another. • In Hebrew ‘Brit’ means covenant, pact or treaty.
Who shared a Covenant with God? • In Judaism there are three particular individuals who shared a special covenant with God: Abraham, Moses & Noah.
What was promised? • From the special bond Abraham, Moses and Noah shared with God three signs signify and act as a physical reminder of the covenant between God and the Jewish People: Brit Milah, Keshet, Shabbat.
Abraham’s Covenant • Abraham was called into a profound, personal and loving relationship with God. Their special bond was the beginning of Judaism. • Abraham was promised a Holy Land for his people, he was called to go to Canaan and this land was promised to his offspring. • This is why ownership of land is such a significant factor in the covenant and for Jewish People.
Abraham’s Covenant • He is the Father of Judaism, in Gen.12; and in Gen.22, after Abraham tried to offer his beloved son in sacrifice:"I swear by my own self, Yahweh declares, because you have done this, because you have not refused me your own beloved son, I will shower blessings on you, and make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore".
Abraham & Brit Milah • Abraham promised that this covenant would be sealed with the promise of regular circumcision called ‘Brit Milah’which is the Covenant of Circumcision. • God said to Abraham, "Such shall be the covenant between Me and you and your offspring to follow which you shall keep: every male among you shall be circumcised. you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you" (Genesis 17:10-11).
Abraham & Brit Milah • It is performed on every Jewish boy when he is eight days old and is performed by a Mohel who is an observant Jew educated in the relevant Jewish Law.
Moses’ Covenant • Moses led the Children of Israel out of Egyptian slavery to the Promised land (Canaan, Palestine). • The covenant at Mt Sinai with Moses was about mutual responsibilities between God and the People of Israel. • Moses received the Ten Sayings/ Ten commandments on Mt Sinai which are the central teachings of the Torah.
Moses & Shabbat • Shabbat is the most important ritual observance in Judaism. It is the only ritual observance instituted in the Ten Commandments which Moses received on Mt Sinai. • "The Israelite people shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout the ages as a covenant for all time: it shall be a sign for all time between Me and the people of Israel" (Exodus 31:16-17).
Moses & Shabbat • Shabbat (Sabbath) is primarily a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. The word "Shabbat" comes from the Shin-Beit-Tav, meaning to cease, to end, or to rest.
Noah’s Covenant • Before the time of Abraham, God’s covenant with Noah was an assurance that the world would never again be destroyed by a flood. • Noah lived at a time when the whole earth was filled with violence and corruption -- yet Noah did not allow the evil standards of his day to rob him of fellowship with God. He stood out as the only one who "walked with God" (Gen. 6:9), • People continued in their evil ways and ignored his pleadings and warnings until the flood overtook them.
Noah & Keshet • After Noah's flood ended and mankind was renewed, God said "This is the sign that I set for the covenant between Me and you, and every living creature with you, for all ages to come. I have set My bow in the clouds, and it shall serve over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and every living creature among all flesh, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh" (Genesis 9:12-15). • The physical sign of this promise it the Keshet (Rainbow).
Sources Used: • http://www.jewfaq.org/index.htm • http://www.padfield.com/2004/covenants.html • http://www.ijs.org.au/Abraham-and-the-Covenant/default.aspx • http://z.about.com/d/atheism/1/0/d/e/NoahRainbow.jpg • http://www.godsplanforall.org/images/other/Moses%20with%20Law%20Cov.JPG • http://prepareformass.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/noahs_ark_rainbow_covenant_birds.jpg • http://www.ninevehpresbyterianchurch.org/npc_FP/M/Youth_Group/boat_wp_1024x768.jpg • http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/Word_of_the_Week/Archived/Brit/brit.html