Before we dive into what Judaism teaches about the "chosen people," let's see what you already know. Take 5 minutes to answer these recall questions from your own memory. Try without looking anything up!
Question 1: Who was Abraham?
🔒Try to answer from memory first!
Answer: Abraham was a leader and prophet in ancient times. He is central to Judaism because God made a covenant (sacred promise) with him. He is considered the father of the Jewish people and lived around 2000 BCE in what is now Iraq and the Middle East.
Question 2: What is the covenant (Brit)?
🔒Try to answer from memory first!
Answer: The covenant is a sacred agreement or contract between God and Abraham (and his descendants). God promised to give Abraham land, descendants, and blessing. In return, Abraham and his family had to obey God's laws and keep the covenant for all generations.
Question 3: What is the Torah and what does it contain?
🔒Try to answer from memory first!
Answer: The Torah is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (also called the Pentateuch). It contains the creation story, stories of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), the Exodus from Egypt, and 613 commandments (mitzvot). Jews believe the Torah was given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.
Question 4: What is the Promised Land?
🔒Try to answer from memory first!
Answer: The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. This is the land that became modern-day Israel and Palestine.
10 minutes
Core Jewish Beliefs
Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world, with roots stretching back 4,000 years to Abraham. It has shaped the lives of millions of people and has profoundly influenced both Christianity and Islam. Today we'll explore what Jews believe about their relationship with God, the Torah (God's law), and what it means to be "chosen."
The Foundation: The Covenant (Brit)
At the heart of Judaism is the covenant — God's sacred promise to Abraham. This isn't a one-time event. It's a living relationship that continues through every generation of Jewish people. When God made the covenant with Abraham, He promised:
Abraham would become the father of a great nation
His descendants would inherit the land of Canaan
All the earth would be blessed through Abraham
In return, Abraham and his descendants had to:
Obey God's laws and commands
Be circumcised as a sign of the covenant
Keep God's covenant for all generations
Why This Matters Today
For Jewish people, the covenant is not ancient history. It's a living promise that connects them to God and to each other. Every act of following Jewish law is seen as fulfilling Abraham's covenant. This is why many Jews emphasize their special relationship with God and their responsibility to keep the commandments.
The Law: The Torah
If the covenant is God's promise to Jewish people, the Torah is their response — God's laws for how to live. The Torah is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (the Jewish scriptures), also called the Pentateuch. It contains:
The Creation Story
How God created the world and humanity, and how humans are made in God's image.
The Patriarchs
Stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and God's promises to them.
The Exodus
How God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, led by Moses.
The Laws
613 commandments (mitzvot) covering every aspect of life, from food to relationships to prayer.
The Torah is sacred. Jews believe it was given directly by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. Every Torah scroll is handwritten with extreme care, and a Jewish scroll in a synagogue is treated with profound respect. The Torah is not just a historical or religious text — it is the word of God.
The Commandments: Mitzvot
The Torah contains 613 commandments (mitzvot). These aren't seen as burdensome rules, but as gifts from God — ways to live a holy life. They include:
Positive Commandments
Things you should do: keep the Sabbath, pray three times a day, honor your parents.
Negative Commandments
Things you should not do: don't steal, don't murder, don't eat certain foods.
Ceremonial Laws
Rules about rituals, festivals, and holy days that mark the Jewish year.
Ethical Laws
Rules about how to treat others fairly and justly, caring for the poor and stranger.
The Shema: The Heart of Judaism
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One"
These words, from Deuteronomy 6:4, form the core statement of Jewish faith. The Shema is recited twice daily by observant Jews. It declares the oneness of God and the unity of Jewish faith. Everything else in Judaism flows from this simple but profound statement: God is one, God is unique, and God is our God.
The Meaning of "Chosen People" — What It Really Means
This phrase is often misunderstood. When Jews say they are God's "chosen people," it does not mean Jews are superior to other people. It means Jews are chosen for responsibility, not privilege. God chose the Jewish people to:
Keep the Torah and the commandments as an example to other nations
Serve as "a light unto the nations" — to show the world what a moral, just society looks like
Bear witness to God's oneness and justice
Work for justice, peace, and righteousness in the world
A Common Misunderstanding
Some people think "chosen people" means Jews believe they are better than others. This is wrong. The phrase means Jewish people have a covenant responsibility — they were chosen to fulfill God's law, not to be superior. It's a burden and an honor, not a claim of supremacy.
Key Jewish Beliefs Summary
The Core of Judaism
God is One (Monotheism)
Judaism strictly upholds belief in one God, unlike Christianity's Trinity.
The Covenant
The sacred agreement between God and Abraham, continuing through all Jewish generations.
The Torah
God's law given to Moses. The first five books of the Hebrew Bible and the most sacred text in Judaism.
Mitzvot (Commandments)
The 613 laws in the Torah that guide how Jews should live.
Tikkun Olam
"Repair the world" — the Jewish obligation to work for justice and improve society.
The Shema
The central prayer of Judaism: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One."
10 minutes
Match Jewish Concepts to Their Meanings
Judaism has unique concepts that are central to understanding Jewish faith. Click the chips below to sort each concept into the correct category.
Available Concepts:
Brit
Torah
Mitzvot
Shema
Tikkun Olam
Sabbath
Menorah
Kosher
Core Religious Beliefs
Laws and Commandments
Practices and Rituals
Helpful Hint:
Think about whether each term refers to something you believe (theology), something you do (law), or something you practice (ritual). Some items might fit in more than one place!
10 minutes
What Does "Chosen People" Really Mean?
In this activity, you'll explain one of the most misunderstood phrases in world religions. Many people think "chosen people" means Jews believe they are superior. But that's not what it means at all. It's about responsibility and covenant.
The Challenge
Explain what "chosen people" means in your own words. Make sure you address:
What "chosen" actually means (responsibility, not superiority)
Why this phrase is often misunderstood
How it connects to the covenant with Abraham
Sentence Starters (Choose 2-3 to help you):
"When Jews say they are 'chosen,' they mean..."
"The phrase 'chosen people' is often misunderstood because..."
"Being 'chosen' is about responsibility to..."
"The covenant with Abraham means that Jews are..."
"A better way to explain 'chosen people' is..."
0 words
Key Ideas to Include:
Covenant Responsibility
Being chosen means accepting the responsibility to keep God's laws and serve as an example.
Not Superiority
Being chosen does NOT mean Jews are better than other people.
A Light Unto Nations
Jews are chosen to show the world what justice, morality, and faith look like.
10 minutes
Debate: Is It Fair for God to Choose One Group?
This is one of the most important ethical questions in religion. If God made a special covenant with the Jewish people, does that mean God treats different groups of people differently? Is that fair? Let's explore both perspectives.
It's Fair and Necessary
Arguments:
God chose Abraham and his descendants to carry out a specific mission — to be a moral example
Being chosen is not a privilege, it's a burden of responsibility
Other religions also have special relationships with God (Christians claim Jesus is God's Son, Muslims believe Muhammad is the final prophet)
Throughout history, God has called different people for different purposes
Covenant creates identity and continuity for the Jewish people
It's Problematic and Unfair
Arguments:
If God created all humans equally, how can He choose one group over others?
The idea of a "chosen people" has been used to justify discrimination and violence
It creates an "us versus them" mentality that divides humanity
If Jews are chosen for responsibility, what about everyone else? Are they left out?
This concept has contributed to antisemitism throughout history
Your Judgment:
Which argument is more convincing to you? Write a response that includes:
Your position (the "chosen people" concept is fair / it's unfair / it's complicated)
At least 2 reasons to support your view
One point from the opposing view that you think is valid
0 words
Scholar's Note:
Academics, theologians, and believers themselves have strong views on this question. There's no single "right answer." What matters is that you think carefully about justice, equality, and what it means for people to have different relationships with God.
5 minutes
Lesson Review
Test your understanding of the key content from this lesson and Lesson 1 combined.
1. Explain the difference between the covenant (Brit) and the Torah
🔒Try to answer from memory first!
Answer: The covenant is God's promise to Abraham and his descendants. The Torah is God's law that tells Jews how to live. The covenant is the relationship; the Torah is the instruction manual for that relationship.
2. What are mitzvot and why are they important?
🔒Try to answer from memory first!
Answer: Mitzvot are the 613 commandments in the Torah. They guide how Jews should live ethically, spiritually, and practically. Following mitzvot is how Jews fulfill their covenant responsibility.
3. Why is the phrase "chosen people" often misunderstood?
🔒Try to answer from memory first!
Answer: Many people think it means Jews are superior to others. In reality, it means Jews are chosen for responsibility — to keep God's law and be a moral example to the world. It's a burden, not a privilege.
4. What does the Shema say and why is it central to Judaism?
🔒Try to answer from memory first!
Answer: The Shema says: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One." It's the core statement of Jewish faith — declaring God's oneness. Observant Jews recite it twice daily. Everything in Judaism flows from this belief in one God.
5. Explain how Abraham's covenant continues in Judaism today
🔒Try to answer from memory first!
Answer: The covenant is not a historical event — it's a living relationship. Every Jewish generation inherits Abraham's covenant with God. By following the Torah and mitzvot, Jews today continue to fulfill the promises and responsibilities made to Abraham over 4,000 years ago.
Excellent progress! You now understand the foundations of Judaism. Next lesson: Christianity — God's Son and Salvation