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Blood Covenant

What is the historic teaching on blood covenants?

Answer:

The concept of a blood covenant is not generally found in Jewish teachings, but the idea is used in specific reference to brit milah (circumcision), where the blood is considered part of the covenant with God.

It is also noteworthy that in the Temple offerings, sprinkling the blood on the altar was the main part of the sacrificial order, and it was this action that served to atone for sin.

The secret of the matter is that blood is the basic lifeline of all creatures, as the verse states, “for the blood is the spirit.” This is the reason why it is prohibited according to Jewish Law to drink any blood, and why blood is so important in the sacrificial service, and even in circumcision.

The one place where an actual “covenant of blood” is mentioned is in Ex. Chap. 24, where blood is used to enter the people of Israel in the Divine covenant, prior to receiving the Torah. One idea behind this unique practice is that the Torah is the basic lifeline of the Jewish people, like blood is to every physical creature.

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2 Comments

  1. How I should treat married religius Jew, minyan collegue, who happened to have long time extra-maritial sexual relationships with still non-married, non-religius Jewess ? Is he obliged to divorce ?

    1. He is not fully obligated to divorce. A wife has a claim for divorce of “ro’eh zonos” in extreme cases, and this might apply here. However, if the wife does not file a claim, there is no obligation to divorce. Of course, such a relationship is strictly prohibited, but I don’t know what you can do about it.

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