Abraham and His Significance in Judaism

This section explains Abraham and His Significance in Judaism. For Jews, Abraham is regarded as the founder and first patriarch of Judaism. This means that Jewish people look to him as a model of faith and obedience to God. He holds a vital role in Jewish history as the first person with whom God established a special relationship. It was through Abraham that the concept of the Promised Land, a homeland for the Jewish people, was first introduced.

Abraham’s Covenant with God

Abraham was the recipient of the first covenant (a sacred agreement) with God. He was born in the city of Ur, in what is now modern-day Iraq, at a time when idolatry was widely practised. However, Abraham rejected idol worship and instead believed in one true God.

God commanded Abraham to leave his homeland and travel to Canaan, which would become the Promised Land. Canaan was an ancient region that roughly corresponds to modern-day Israel and Palestine. Unlike the prosperous city of Ur, Canaan was an arid and undeveloped land. Nevertheless, Abraham obeyed God’s command, demonstrating his unwavering faith.

The Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, And I will bless you.’
— Genesis 12:1-2

In return for his obedience, God made several promises to Abraham:

• He and his wife, Sarah, who were childless, would miraculously have a son.
• His descendants would become a great and numerous nation.
• They would be given the land of Canaan as their homeland.
• God would provide divine protection for Abraham and his people.

The Sign of the Covenant

God’s promise to Abraham included not only land and descendants but also the establishment of a special, everlasting relationship between God and his people. This covenant was sealed through circumcision. Abraham and all the males in his household were circumcised as a physical sign of their commitment to God. This practice remains a fundamental Jewish tradition, with baby boys typically undergoing circumcision on the eighth day after birth.

Abraham’s Descendants

As part of fulfilling God’s promise, Sarah gave birth to their son, Isaac, despite her old age. God chose Isaac to inherit the covenant, passing it down to his descendants. Isaac later had a son, Jacob, who was also blessed by God and given the name Israel. From Jacob’s twelve sons emerged the twelve tribes of Israel, forming the foundation of the Jewish people.

Because of their crucial role in shaping the Jewish faith and identity, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are known as the patriarchs of Israel. Their legacy continues to influence Jewish traditions, laws, and beliefs to this day.