What you'll learn
The concept of covenant stands at the heart of Jewish beliefs and teachings, establishing the special relationship between God and the Jewish people. This topic examines two foundational covenants — with Abraham and with Moses — exploring their biblical origins, theological meaning, and continuing significance for Jewish identity and practice today. Understanding these covenants is essential for WJEC GCSE Religious Education questions on Jewish beliefs, practices, and the nature of God's relationship with humanity.
Key terms and definitions
Covenant (Brit) — A solemn, binding agreement between God and the Jewish people, establishing mutual obligations and creating a special relationship that defines Jewish identity and purpose.
Circumcision (Brit Milah) — The removal of the foreskin from male babies on the eighth day after birth, serving as the physical sign of the covenant with Abraham.
The Promised Land (Eretz Yisrael) — The land of Canaan (modern-day Israel) promised by God to Abraham and his descendants as part of the covenantal relationship.
The Torah — The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (also called the Law of Moses), containing the 613 commandments given as part of the covenant at Mount Sinai.
The Decalogue (Ten Commandments) — The ten fundamental laws given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, forming the core of Jewish ethical and religious obligations.
Chosen People — The Jewish belief that they have been selected by God for a special relationship and responsibility to be "a light unto the nations" through their covenant.
Monotheism — The belief in one God, central to both covenants and expressed in the Shema prayer.
Mitzvot — The 613 commandments found in the Torah that Jews are obligated to follow as part of their covenantal responsibilities.
Core concepts
The Nature of Covenant in Judaism
The Hebrew word brit signifies more than a simple contract — it represents an unbreakable bond between God and the Jewish people. Unlike contracts that can be dissolved, Jewish covenants are considered eternal and binding across generations. The covenant creates both privileges and responsibilities: God promises protection, blessing, and a special relationship, while the Jewish people commit to following God's commandments and maintaining their distinct identity.
Key characteristics of biblical covenants include:
- Initiation by God — God chooses to enter into relationship with humanity, not the reverse
- Conditional and unconditional elements — Some promises depend on obedience; others reflect God's unchanging commitment
- Generational continuity — Covenants pass from parents to children, creating an ongoing people
- Physical signs — Visible markers (circumcision, Sabbath observance) distinguish covenant members
- Ethical and ritual obligations — Covenants require both moral behaviour and religious practices
The Covenant with Abraham (Brit Avraham)
The Abrahamic covenant, recorded primarily in Genesis 12, 15, and 17, establishes the foundation of Jewish identity. God calls Abram (later renamed Abraham) to leave his homeland and journey to Canaan, initiating a relationship that will shape all subsequent Jewish history.
Key elements of the Abrahamic covenant:
God's promises to Abraham:
- Numerous descendants ("as numerous as the stars")
- Land (Canaan/the Promised Land) for his descendants
- To become a great nation
- Blessing for all nations through his family
- Personal protection and prosperity
Abraham's obligations:
- Faith and trust in God (demonstrated by leaving Ur)
- Walking before God and being blameless
- Circumcision of all males in his household
- Teaching his descendants to "keep the way of the Lord"
The sign of the covenant:
- Circumcision (Brit Milah) on the eighth day after birth
- Applies to all male descendants and household members
- Permanent physical mark distinguishing covenant members
- Continues as central Jewish practice across all denominations today
Significance of the Abrahamic covenant:
The covenant with Abraham establishes several foundational Jewish beliefs. It creates the concept of the Chosen People — not chosen for privilege alone, but for responsibility to maintain a relationship with God and model ethical monotheism for other nations. The promise of land creates a permanent connection between the Jewish people and Israel, explaining why the land holds such religious and not merely political significance. The emphasis on faith demonstrated by Abraham becomes a model for Jewish spirituality — trust in God even when circumstances seem impossible (such as the command to sacrifice Isaac in the Akedah).
The Abrahamic covenant also establishes monotheism as the defining religious commitment of Judaism. Abraham's willingness to abandon the polytheism of his birth and follow the one true God sets the pattern for Jewish distinctiveness. This covenant creates a people defined by their relationship with God rather than by geography, ethnicity alone, or political power.
The Covenant with Moses (Brit Moshe)
The Mosaic covenant, recorded in Exodus 19-24 and Deuteronomy, occurs at Mount Sinai after God liberates the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. This covenant builds upon the Abrahamic promises but adds a detailed legal framework for living as God's holy people.
Key elements of the Mosaic covenant:
God's promises:
- To make Israel "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation"
- Continued protection and blessing
- Divine presence dwelling among the people (initially in the Tabernacle)
- Fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
The people's obligations:
- Obedience to the Torah — the 613 commandments (mitzvot)
- Beginning with the Ten Commandments (Decalogue)
- Covering ethical, ritual, civil, and dietary laws
- Establishing systems of worship, sacrifice, and priesthood
The signs of the covenant:
- Sabbath observance (Shabbat) as a perpetual sign
- The Torah itself as the defining document
- The Tabernacle and later the Temple as the place of God's presence
The structure of the Decalogue:
The Ten Commandments form the covenant's ethical and religious core:
Commandments 1-4 (Duties to God):
- No other gods before the Lord
- No idolatry or graven images
- Not taking God's name in vain
- Keeping the Sabbath holy
Commandments 5-10 (Duties to others):
- Honouring parents
- Not murdering
- Not committing adultery
- Not stealing
- Not bearing false witness
- Not coveting
Significance of the Mosaic covenant:
The Sinai covenant transforms the descendants of Abraham from an extended family into a structured nation with comprehensive religious law. It provides the practical framework for maintaining the covenant relationship established with Abraham. Where Abraham's covenant emphasized faith and identity, Moses's covenant emphasizes obedience and holiness.
The Torah given at Sinai becomes the defining characteristic of Jewish life. Orthodox Jews believe the entire written and oral Torah was revealed at Sinai, making every commandment divine in origin. Reform Jews may view the Torah as inspired but human-authored, yet still central to Jewish identity and ethics. Regardless of interpretation, the Torah remains the constitution of the Jewish people.
The covenant at Sinai also emphasizes collective responsibility. The entire nation accepts the covenant together ("we will do and we will hear"), creating a community bound by shared obligations. This collective dimension explains why Jewish practice emphasizes community prayer, communal celebration of festivals, and mutual responsibility among Jews worldwide.
The Relationship Between the Two Covenants
The covenants with Abraham and Moses are not separate agreements but interconnected stages in God's unfolding relationship with the Jewish people:
- Abraham establishes identity — who the Jewish people are as God's chosen
- Moses establishes practice — how the Jewish people should live
- Abraham provides the promises — land, descendants, blessing
- Moses provides the path — the commandments that maintain the relationship
- Both are eternal — neither covenant replaces or cancels the other
Together, these covenants answer the fundamental questions of Jewish existence: Why do we exist? (To fulfill God's covenant with Abraham) and How should we live? (According to the Torah given to Moses).
Contemporary Significance of the Covenants
The covenants remain central to Jewish self-understanding and practice today:
Religious practice:
- Brit Milah continues universally among Jewish denominations
- Torah study fulfills the obligation to know God's commandments
- Sabbath and festival observance maintains covenant signs
- Daily prayers reference both Abraham and Moses repeatedly
Jewish identity:
- Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies mark personal acceptance of covenant responsibilities
- Conversion to Judaism involves accepting the covenant obligations
- Jewish peoplehood transcends nationality, based on covenant membership
- The State of Israel represents partial fulfillment of land promises
Theological understanding:
- The covenant explains Jewish survival through persecution and exile
- It provides meaning for Jewish distinctiveness and minority status
- The covenant offers hope — God's promises remain despite historical suffering
- Ongoing covenant relationship explains why Judaism actively discourages but accepts converts
Different denominational perspectives:
- Orthodox Judaism — Views both covenants as literally true, eternally binding, and requiring complete observance of all 613 commandments
- Reform Judaism — Emphasizes the ethical dimensions of covenant while allowing adaptation of ritual practices to contemporary contexts
- Conservative Judaism — Maintains covenant obligations while permitting evolution of practice through rabbinic interpretation
Worked examples
Example 1: AO1 Knowledge Question (5 marks)
Question: Describe the covenant God made with Abraham.
Model answer:
The covenant with Abraham, recorded in Genesis, established the foundation of the Jewish people. God promised Abraham that he would have numerous descendants, as many as the stars in the sky, despite his wife Sarah being barren. God also promised Abraham the land of Canaan as an eternal possession for his descendants, known as the Promised Land. Additionally, God promised that through Abraham's family, all nations would be blessed, making him the father of a great nation.
In return, Abraham was required to demonstrate complete faith in God and leave his homeland. The physical sign of this covenant was circumcision (Brit Milah), which Abraham and all males in his household underwent. This practice continues today, performed on the eighth day after a Jewish boy's birth, serving as the permanent mark of membership in the covenant community and the Jewish people.
Examiner notes: This answer scores full marks by identifying multiple elements of the covenant (descendants, land, blessing), explaining the sign (circumcision), and demonstrating understanding of both God's promises and Abraham's obligations. It uses accurate terminology and provides sufficient detail.
Example 2: AO1 Extended Response (8 marks)
Question: Explain the significance of the covenant made with Moses at Mount Sinai.
Model answer:
The Mosaic covenant holds profound significance as it transformed the Israelites from an enslaved people into "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." At Mount Sinai, God gave the Torah, including the Ten Commandments, which provided the Jewish people with a comprehensive legal and moral framework for living in covenant relationship with God. This covenant established how Jews should worship, behave ethically, and organize their society.
The Ten Commandments form the core of Jewish ethics, divided between duties to God (such as having no other gods and keeping Sabbath) and duties to others (such as not murdering, stealing, or committing adultery). These commandments, along with the 613 mitzvot in the Torah, define Jewish religious practice and moral obligations, making the covenant practical and applicable to daily life.
The covenant's significance extends to Jewish identity, as acceptance of Torah obligations distinguishes Jews from other peoples. The Sabbath serves as the perpetual sign of this covenant, observed weekly as a reminder of the covenant relationship. Orthodox Jews view the Torah as divinely revealed and binding, while Reform Jews emphasize its ethical teachings while adapting ritual practices.
The Mosaic covenant also created collective responsibility — the entire nation accepted it together, establishing Judaism as a communal religion where Jews share responsibility for one another. This explains practices like communal prayer and why Jewish communities worldwide maintain connections. The covenant provides continuity across generations, as Jewish children accept covenant responsibilities at Bar or Bat Mitzvah, ensuring the covenant's continuation.
Examiner notes: This answer demonstrates comprehensive understanding through multiple developed points about religious, ethical, communal, and identity aspects. It uses specific examples (Ten Commandments, Sabbath, Bar Mitzvah) and shows awareness of denominational differences, meeting the criteria for top marks.
Example 3: AO2 Evaluation Question (15 marks)
Question: "The covenant with Abraham is more important than the covenant with Moses." Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religion and belief in your answer.)
Model answer extract (showing structure):
Arguments supporting the statement:
The covenant with Abraham could be considered more important because it establishes the foundation of Jewish existence. Without Abraham's covenant, there would be no Jewish people to receive the Torah at Sinai. Abraham's covenant creates Jewish identity through the promise of descendants and the practice of circumcision, which every Jewish boy undergoes regardless of denomination. The covenant promises the land of Israel, central to Jewish consciousness even today. Abraham's faith provides the model for Jewish spirituality — trusting God despite impossible circumstances. His covenant emphasizes the relationship with God rather than laws, which some argue is more fundamental than legal requirements.
Arguments against the statement:
However, the Mosaic covenant could be considered more important because it provides the practical framework for living as God's people. The Torah given at Sinai defines Judaism through the 613 commandments, covering every aspect of life from worship to business ethics. Without the Mosaic covenant, Jews would have identity but no guidance on how to maintain the covenant relationship. The Ten Commandments form the basis of Western ethics, demonstrating the covenant's universal significance. Daily Jewish life revolves around Torah observance — prayer times, dietary laws, Sabbath — all from the Mosaic covenant. As the Talmud states, "Torah study is equivalent to all the commandments," showing its centrality...
Conclusion with justified personal opinion:
While both covenants are essential and interconnected, the Abrahamic covenant could be viewed as more foundational because identity precedes practice. However, from a practical standpoint, the Mosaic covenant shapes daily Jewish life more directly. The most convincing view recognizes them as complementary rather than competing — Abraham answers "who are we?" while Moses answers "how should we live?" Neither functions without the other...
Examiner notes: Strong evaluation answers present balanced arguments with religious reasoning, use evidence from Jewish teachings, and reach a justified conclusion. Avoid simply listing points; develop arguments with explanation and examples.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake: Confusing the two covenants or merging their details (e.g., claiming Moses received circumcision or Abraham received the Ten Commandments). Correction: Create a comparison table clearly distinguishing what each covenant involved, with whom it was made, what signs marked it, and what obligations it created. Remember: Abraham = circumcision and promises of descendants/land; Moses = Torah/Ten Commandments and Sabbath.
Mistake: Describing covenants as outdated historical events rather than living religious commitments. Correction: Always explain contemporary significance — how covenants affect Jewish practice, identity, and beliefs today. Mention Bar/Bat Mitzvah, ongoing circumcision practice, Torah study, and Sabbath observance as evidence of covenants' continuing relevance.
Mistake: Treating circumcision as merely cultural rather than as the covenant sign. Correction: Emphasize that Brit Milah is the physical mark of covenant membership, commanded by God in Genesis 17, and performed on the eighth day as a religious obligation, not a cultural preference. It literally inscribes covenant identity on the body.
Mistake: Ignoring the conditional aspects of covenants or presenting them as unconditional promises only. Correction: Explain that covenants involve mutual obligations — God promises protection and blessing, but the Jewish people must maintain faith, practice circumcision (Abraham), and follow Torah commandments (Moses). The relationship requires both divine commitment and human response.
Mistake: Writing about covenants without using key terminology. Correction: Use specific Hebrew terms like Brit, Brit Milah, mitzvot, Torah, and Decalogue. This demonstrates precise knowledge and earns higher marks on WJEC papers where accuracy of religious terminology is explicitly assessed.
Mistake: Providing only one interpretation when denominational differences exist. Correction: Where relevant, distinguish between Orthodox views (literal, binding observance of all commandments) and Reform perspectives (ethical emphasis, adaptable practice) regarding covenant obligations. This shows depth of understanding expected at GCSE level.
Exam technique for covenants in Judaism
Command word recognition:
"Describe" (5 marks) — Provide factual details about covenant elements: who, what, when, where. Include specific information like "circumcision on the eighth day" or "the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai." Aim for 5-6 distinct points with some development.
"Explain" (8 marks) — Go beyond description to show understanding of meaning and significance. Use connectives like "This means that..." or "This is significant because..." to demonstrate cause-and-effect thinking. Develop 3-4 points thoroughly rather than listing many superficial points.
"Discuss" or "Evaluate" (15 marks) — Present multiple viewpoints with religious reasoning, then reach a justified personal conclusion. Structure with clear paragraphs for different perspectives, use evidence from Jewish teachings or practice, and avoid sitting on the fence in your conclusion.
Answer structure strategies:
For covenant questions, organize answers chronologically (Abraham first, then Moses) or thematically (promises, obligations, signs, significance). Include both biblical origins and contemporary relevance to demonstrate comprehensive understanding. Always link covenant concepts to Jewish beliefs about God's nature (faithful, caring, involved with humanity) and Jewish identity (chosen people with responsibilities, not just privileges).
Mark optimization:
WJEC mark schemes reward specific examples over vague generalizations. Writing "the covenant included the Ten Commandments such as 'You shall have no other gods before me' and 'Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy'" scores higher than "the covenant included rules to follow." Similarly, explaining that "Orthodox Jews circumcise sons on the eighth day following God's command to Abraham in Genesis 17" demonstrates precise knowledge worth full marks.
Quick revision summary
The covenant (brit) forms the foundation of Judaism's special relationship with God. The Abrahamic covenant established Jewish identity through promises of descendants and land, marked by circumcision (Brit Milah) on the eighth day. The Mosaic covenant at Mount Sinai provided the Torah with 613 commandments (mitzvot) beginning with the Ten Commandments, marked by Sabbath observance. Together, these eternal covenants define who Jews are (Abraham) and how they should live (Moses), creating the Chosen People with responsibilities to follow God's laws. Both covenants remain central to Jewish practice, identity, and theology today across all denominations.