Beit HaTorah UK 

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WHAT IS MEANT BY A COVENANT SYNAGOGUE:

Beit HaTorah is a Covenant synagogue. What does that mean? 

Judaism is unique in that we are a faith bound by covenants to the G-d of Israel. 

All the covenants of the Scriptures, find renewal in our day in the Renewed Covenant of Yirmeyahu 31.

When we speak of the Renewed Covenant we must be precise. It has become the fashion to use this term for the writings of Yeshua’s talmidim (followers), often viewing these writings as something new and separate from the Tanakh.

Several theological problems are presented with this perspective:

1. It presents the Renewed Covenant as a doctrinal treatise; a collection of Scriptural books

2. Using this description suggests that the terms of the Covenant have been changed 

3. Because of this, some may view “Covenant Judaism” in the same light as movements; as a new faith, drawing from, but different to, Judaism

4. Using this terminology treats the covenants of the Tanakh as belonging to a previous, and now superseded, era

5. In fact, this is Replacement Theology; assuming that the Torah has been replaced by a “new covenant”, just as the same theology assumes that the Jewish people, B’nai Yisrael, have been replaced by a new people, “the church.” 

Rabbi Asher

Rabbinic Intern Zakon Ya'akov

Rebbetzin Julie

What is a Covenant?

A more accurate title for the books written by Yeshua’s talmidim is “the Teachings of Mashiach” (Torat Mashiach).                                                                   

  1. Those writings set out the message and halakha of Rebbe Yeshua, the Mashiach
  2. but they are not themselves a Renewed Covenant (or “New Testament”)

 

What is a Covenant?

The Scriptures make it clear that a covenant is legally binding upon the parties to it. It is more than an agreement.                                                            

In the Scriptures a covenant is, in effect, a commitment involving promises and agreements, the death of an animal and obligations.

The Hebrew word “Brit” means alliance or agreement and is derived from the word meaning “to eat bread or to choose.”                                               

A covenant, then, is the interaction of two parties choosing to be bound to one another, to work with one another under its terms                   

It is in force as long as the two parties to the covenant are alive

 

The renewal of a covenant is not only possible but desirable!                                                                      

  1. Times change and our understanding of responsibility changes             
  2. So, while the terms of the Covenant remain the same, they are applied with fresh relevance to the parties involved (as in the renewal of marriage vows) 
  3. If we survey the Scriptural record, it becomes apparent that this is the method HaShem employed when revealing His covenants                         
  4. Each of the covenants incorporates former covenants and adds responsibility or revelation as we were able to receive it                                        
  5. Thus, the Noahide and Avrahamic covenants precede the Mosaic covenant of the Torah and the Renewed Covenant                                                
  6. This is a form of progressive revelation, but not at all the same as a “developing theology”. Through the covenants, HaShem revealed more of Himself. 
  7. The idea of a developing theology supposes that mankind defined G-d according to his own developing ideas, a kind of evolutionary process 

Clearly this is not the case

THE TERMS OF THE BIBLICAL COVENANTS 

The making of covenants is central to HaShem’s dealings with humanity and with Israel in particular. 

  1. At various times, He has reasserted and expanded upon His covenants                                                                                                              
  2. These are of both a conditional and an unconditional nature 

 

Conditional covenants are those in which G-d makes certain promises to us, on the basis of our obedience to His will                                                                                                                                                    

1. If we comply, the promises are kept and if we do not, we forfeit the right to the promises 

2. The Mosaic covenant is a conditional covenant:                                         

  • If we obey, we remain in the land and receive blessings                            
  • if we do not obey, we are expelled (see Sh’mot -Exodus-19:3-6; 24:1-8 and 34:10-28)

Unconditional covenants are unilaterally made by HaShem                     

  1. Human beings can do nothing to affect or change them                         
  2. These covenants are the sovereign work of HaShem, by His decision and His prerogativ
  3. The Avrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant (B’resheit -Genesis- 12:1-3; 15:1-21 and 17:1-14)                                                                                        
  4. According to the terms of this covenant HaShem chose Avraham to be the father of the Jewish people                                   

He and his descendants through Yitzchak and Ya’akov were to inherit the Promised Land, from the Euphrates River to the river of Egypt                                                                  

These promises are not conditional upon any action of Avraham                                    

It is a simple fact that the land of Israel is given to Avraham’s descendants, through Yitzchak and Ya’akov, forever 

The Noahide Covenant, so called because it was made with Noach after he emerged from the ark, is also unconditional (B’resheit 8v20-22): It states that HaShem will never again destroy the earth by flood, regardless of mankind’s sinful actions

 

THE RENEWED COVENANT 

It has been noted that early covenants were added to and expanded upon by the covenants which followed them                                                                                                                        

1. But it is important to emphasis that in none of these covenants was a previous covenant overturned or amended                                                            

2.  the Noahide Covenant still stands, as does the Avrahamic covenant 

3.  no one claims that the pledge not to destroy the earth by flood might no longer hold, although, strangely, many people dispute our claim to the land of Israel!                                                                                                                      

Iinsistence that the Renewed Covenant is a replacement for the Torah is even more bizarre

Returning to our earlier remarks, the underlying reason for terming the Torat Mashiach as “the New Testament” or “the Renewed Covenant” is the belief that the Mosaic covenant has been made null and void, caused either by Israel’s rejection of Mashiach Yeshua or as a consequence of disobedience to the terms of the covenant                       

In such a “replacement” theology, there would be need for a “new covenant” to replace the discredited one made through Moshe 

This a purely theological device which lays the foundation for Christianity’s existence. A “new” covenant: required a new religion to preach it. Thus, everything about Christianity’s “new covenant” is brand new!         

It has overtaken and replaced the Torah, which they believe to have been abandoned by G-d and therefore worthless in any effectual sense                                                         

In the theology of most forms of Christianity, “keeping Torah” is equated with “salvation by works” --something anathema to the Christian interpretation of the Scriptures                                                               

A “replacement” such as this is a theological device, the product of human reasoning, and not the intent of Scriptures or of G-d
 

 


 

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