The Status of Exile Reward and Punishment for the Jews in this World Providence for the Individual Natural Reward and Punishment in This World Reward and Punishment in the World to Come Natural Order Required for Free Will Free Will Faith Revealed Through the Exodus and Mount Sinai Contemporary Idolatry Prohibited Magic and Sorcery Attitudes towards Different Religions The Righteous Among the Nations Christianity and Islam Prohibition of Idolatry Integrating the First Two Commandments Were idols effective? Faith and the Tendency Towards Idolatry The Giving of the Torah Love and Reverence of God
- Fundamentals of Faith - Fundamentals of Faith -

God’s Covenant with the Jews

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God’s Covenant with the Jews

According to the principles of justice, if the Jewish people choose evil it would call for God to destroy them along with the rest of the world (Heaven forbid). However, God chose His people and forged a covenant with them. Therefore, no matter how great their sins, God will not abandon them. Rather, He will afflict them terribly in order for them to repent. We are reminded of this aspect of the covenant each year on Yom Kippur (below 35:4). When justice applies to the Jewish people, it is not focused on whether they will continue to exist, but rather on how they will continue to exist: whether in peace and blessing or the opposite, Heaven forbid.

God also promised the Jews that redemption will ultimately arrive, and the world will be perfected. If the Jews as a whole repent, the redemption will come sooner, in peace and tranquility. If they do not repent, there will be a lengthy exile followed by terrible suffering and hardship. Ultimately, the Jewish people will return from exile, develop the Land, and continue to elevate themselves until redemption and complete repentance are achieved.

The Sins of the Golden Calf and the Spies The Sins of the Golden Calf and the Spies