OU TORAH Covenant & Conversation By Britain's Former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

Covenant & Conversation Britain's Former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks In two sentences in this week’s sedra, the Torah summarises the entire relationship between God and the people of Israel: You have affirmed [he-emarta] this day that the Lord is your, God, that you will walk in His ways, that you will observe His laws and commandments and rules, and that you will obey Him. And the Lord has affirmed [he-emirkha] this day that you are, as He promised you, His treasured people who shall observe all His commandments. (Deut. 26:17-18) Here, set out with disarming simplicity, is the dual relationship, the reciprocity, at the heart of the covenant. It is an idea made famous in the form of two jingles.