Brit

Brit: The Covenant Between Hashem and the Jewish People

The word “Brit” (בְּרִית) means covenant, and it represents one of the most foundational concepts in the relationship between Hashem and the Jewish people. A brit is not merely a contract or agreement—it is a sacred, eternal bond rooted in love, commitment, and divine purpose. The first and most famous brit was made with Abraham when Hashem promised that his descendants would become a great nation, inherit the Land of Israel, and be a light unto the nations. This covenant, sealed through the commandment of Brit Milah (circumcision), is a physical and spiritual sign of this eternal connection (see Genesis 17).

In Kabbalistic terms, the Brit symbolizes the channel (Yessod) through which divine energy flows into the world. It reflects the idea of connection and continuity—between generations, between body and soul, and between Heaven and Earth. Every mitzvah, in a sense, is an extension of this covenant, reinforcing the bond of emunah (faith), responsibility, and spiritual destiny. The Brit Milah, performed on the eighth day of a baby boy’s life, represents transcendence above nature (as the number eight symbolizes Binah in Kabbalah) and the idea that the Jewish soul is bound to Hashem beyond rational understanding. The Brit is a living testimony that the Jewish people are chosen not just to receive blessings but to carry the divine mission and reveal Hashem’s light in the world.