An Analysis of Jewish Justifications for the Breach of Sacred Covenants with a Focus on Jewish Sacred Texts

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Associate Professor of Quranic Sciences, Quranic Sciences Department, University of Quran and Hadith Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This study examines the ways in which the Israelites interacted with divine covenants and the justifications provided for their breaches of these sacred agreements, with a focus on prominent Jewish sacred texts. The covenants between God and the Israelites, as conditional commitments, form the central axis of Jewish religious literature, linking the Israelites' unique relationship with God and the Promised Land to their adherence to these covenants. These agreements not only establish a divine framework for Jewish identity and religious obligations but also provide mechanisms for addressing the consequences of their violations.

Findings reveal that despite explicit commitments, the Israelites repeatedly breached these covenants. In response to the resulting consequences, they turned to concepts such as teshuva (repentance), eternal covenants, and divine punishments as means to restore and rebuild their relationship with God . These concepts, emphasized in sacred texts and Jewish interpretations, serve as dynamic tools for adapting to historical and spiritual challenges. Through an analysis of these mechanisms, this study offers deeper insights into Jewish religious and interpretive strategies, shedding light on how the legitimacy of faith and the collective identity of the Jewish people have been maintained in the face of covenantal breaches and their repercussions .

Keywords


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