Founding fathers and mothers: The uniqueness of the Jewish people - opinion

The opening of the Torah with the story of creation and the early generations, rather than the revelation of law at Mount Sinai, holds a profound significance for understanding Judaism. Rabbi Doron Perez argues that this narrative choice reflects a critical truth about the nature of Judaism: it is fundamentally a people and a family before it is a religion. This contrasts with other religions that might begin with a prophet and divine revelation.

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If Judaism were like other religions, it would indeed begin there – with a prophet and with revelation.

The Torah dedicates a substantial portion, encompassing the entire book of Genesis and half of Exodus, to events preceding the giving of the Torah. This extensive narrative serves to establish that the covenant at Sinai was not bestowed upon isolated individuals or a mere association of believers. Instead, it was given to a people already forged through shared experiences, collective memory, and a common destiny. The emergence of the Israelite nation during the Exodus from Egypt, defined by a shared story and collective fate, termed "the covenant of fate" by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, precedes their reception of the Torah, which he called "the covenant of destiny."

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Before we were a religion, we were a people – and before we were a people, we were a family.

Furthermore, Jewish peoplehood is intrinsically linked to a specific land. From the outset, the Land of Israel is central to the Jewish narrative, beginning with Abraham's command to journey to a land. This intertwining of peoplehood and place distinguishes Judaism from major faith traditions like Christianity and Islam, which are not inherently tied to a particular people or territory. Judaism, therefore, is inseparable from the story of a specific people connected to a specific place.

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The covenant at Sinai was not given to isolated individuals or to an association of believers. It was given to a people already formed through shared experience, memory, and destiny.

This unique combination makes Jewish life complex and multifaceted. It is more than just a religion or a nation; it can best be described as a civilization. This civilization encompasses nationhood, culture, language, a connection to the land, religious practice, and spiritual purpose, all woven together into a distinct and enduring identity.

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what Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik termed “the covenant of fate.” Then, receiving the Torah, which he termed “the covenant of destiny.”