Covenant
COVENANT
Principal foundation of Judaism, based on three principles: a direct relation with God; revelation; and the royalty of God. According to Biblical tradition, the first true covenant was concluded between God and Abraham, based on the divine promise that the latter's people, "elect of God," would soon dwell in a "Promised Land." This first covenant (b'ritt, in Hebrew), sealed by the circumcision (practiced also by the Egyptians) of Abraham, was renewed by Abraham' descendants, Isaac and Jacob. The second covenant is that of Sinai, between God and Moses, with the transmission of the Ten Commandments (asseret ha-dibrot, in Hebrew), and the renewed assurance of a "Promised Land." According to the sacred texts, this covenant is temporary, for it prepares the way for the "New Covenant," which would be materialized with the coming of the Messiah.
