Dear Friends,
When we consider core Jewish concepts – a number come to mind: Torah, blessing, prayer. I would offer another which is truly the core of the core: Covenant!
This week in Torah, we encounter Abraham being called by God to become God’s partner in this covenantal relationship. God declares, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and it shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will pronounce doom on those who curse you; through you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:2-3)
What is fascinating about this declaration is that it is unconditional and one-sided; God announces what God will do for Abraham, but asks nothing in return. Later, God will require circumcision of Abraham and all male offspring as a sign of the Covenant, but demands nothing more. Simply, “I will be your God, and you will be My people.”
Yes, later in Deuteronomy, God requires faithfulness to the Covenant, and threatens numerous curses should we fail in that faithfulness. But, in its origin here in Genesis, God creates a safe and sure world, a Land of milk and honey, a Torah of unparalleled teaching, and total Divine dedication. Simply for our saying. “Yes.”
We never had it so good. And, nor has any other people.
Thus, it is worthwhile to reflect for a moment on this amazing gift. Forever, we are linked to the Creator of this wonderful world. Even when we have strayed, our Covenant redeemed us. We always have known that we are chosen, and however we strive to merit that choice, it is not rejected. Yes, we were absent from the Land for millennia, but we have regained it, and reaffirmed our place among the nations, helping to make all the families of the earth be blessed.
Yes, a covenant is an eternal agreement which survives those who originally entered into the agreement – in our case Abraham, who obligated all of us in every generation, and God. How nice to be still under that covenantal umbrella. It is a wonderful, everlasting gift!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
When we consider core Jewish concepts – a number come to mind: Torah, blessing, prayer. I would offer another which is truly the core of the core: Covenant!
This week in Torah, we encounter Abraham being called by God to become God’s partner in this covenantal relationship. God declares, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and it shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will pronounce doom on those who curse you; through you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:2-3)
What is fascinating about this declaration is that it is unconditional and one-sided; God announces what God will do for Abraham, but asks nothing in return. Later, God will require circumcision of Abraham and all male offspring as a sign of the Covenant, but demands nothing more. Simply, “I will be your God, and you will be My people.”
Yes, later in Deuteronomy, God requires faithfulness to the Covenant, and threatens numerous curses should we fail in that faithfulness. But, in its origin here in Genesis, God creates a safe and sure world, a Land of milk and honey, a Torah of unparalleled teaching, and total Divine dedication. Simply for our saying. “Yes.”
We never had it so good. And, nor has any other people.
Thus, it is worthwhile to reflect for a moment on this amazing gift. Forever, we are linked to the Creator of this wonderful world. Even when we have strayed, our Covenant redeemed us. We always have known that we are chosen, and however we strive to merit that choice, it is not rejected. Yes, we were absent from the Land for millennia, but we have regained it, and reaffirmed our place among the nations, helping to make all the families of the earth be blessed.
Yes, a covenant is an eternal agreement which survives those who originally entered into the agreement – in our case Abraham, who obligated all of us in every generation, and God. How nice to be still under that covenantal umbrella. It is a wonderful, everlasting gift!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn