Moses was an Old Testament figure that history, faith, and scripture revere. A prophet and leader of the Jewish people, he is one of the most significant religious figures in history. From freeing the Israelites from Egyptian enslavement to leading them through the Sinai Desert to Canaan and establishing a religion, Moses’s impact on Judaism is enduring.
One of the most compelling aspects of Mosses’ impact on Judaism was his guidance given is a supernatural way. Core components of Judaism such as the Ten Commandments and other teachings were passed down to him through his encounters with God. In Exodus, God speaks to Moses through a burning bush and commands that Moses return to Egypt and lead evacuation of the Israelites.
Moses was also known as a liberator and leader of the Jewish people, taking the lead in the Exodus from Egypt. The Torah explains that God gave Moses “power to perform mighty wonders and signs” to intimidate the Egyptians. His success was heralded as a miracle due to the courage and conviction he showed. He was also revered for his compassion and willingness to take risks to protect and provide for the Jewish people.
For religious scholars, Moses represented a significant development in the history of Judaism. His writings, teachings, and stories have been revered as foundational components of Judaism since the beginning. In this way, his impact was not only about his own life, but for generations to come. He mentored large portions of the Jewish people living in Canaan, creating and laying down laws and systems which were implemented for many centuries.
Historically-speaking, Moses is credited with establishing and codifying many of the rituals and laws of Judaism, and is often regarded as the most influential Jewish leader, prophet and teacher. At the heart of Jewish faith and practice are divine laws and moral instruction, related in part to the “Book of the Covenant” that Moses is credited with revealing. He brought the people of Israel together around a shared devotion to God that later scriptures and religious doctrines were based upon. As such, he is seen as the guiding messenger in Judaism, and has long been a source of inspiration for believers.
Moses’ significance to the Jewish faith is clear. Despite the limited physical evidence from the time of Moses’ life, his legacy can be seen in the results of his influence. Modern Judaism is based largely on the teachings, laws and stories of Moses that continue to be honoured and revered as part of Jewish faith today.
Moses and the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, which Moses brought down to the Israelites from God, are fundamental to Jewish ethics and law. This is because they represent God’s covenant with his people, and introduce the concept of justice, mercy, and right living. In addition, they were used to provide protection and defence of individuals, their beliefs and their way of life.
The Ten Commandments inspired generations of Torah commentaries and legislation that governed life in Israel and beyond. The commandments function to remind Jews – in Israel and around the world – of their relationship with God, and of his requirements for them. In other words, they serve as the foundation for responsible living and moral law.
The Ten Commandments also set in motion a template for Jewish communal life, in which communality and harmony was central. This template evolved over time, as rabbinical commentaries and laws increasingly structured the way people lived, and has become a major part of Judaism today.
The Ten Commandments were the embodiment of a new era and the promise of faith – faith that spanned generations and which engulfed Jewish life then and now.
Moses and the Torah
Moses’ legacy is also seen in the Torah, described as the Bible of Jewish people. The Torah, written by Moses, is a set of five books, or scrolls, that contain the story of the Exodus from Egypt, often referred to as the ‘gift of the law’. As the earliest known legal document in existence, the Torah is composed of sacred writings, many of them originating with Moses.
The Torah contains an array of religious texts telling stories, outlining laws, constituting rituals, and inspiring Jewish people in their everyday life. These writings, known as parashot, form the basis of Jewish life and are used as a framework for many aspects of Israeli and Jewish life. In Judaism, Moses is seen as the first recipient of the Torah, and as such is the source of its authority and continuity.
Moses is also credited with writing, or substantially editing and codifying, much of the Torah, including the book of Deuteronomy, which is the cornerstone of ancient Israel’s civil and religious codes. Together these writings formed the basis of both contemporary and classical Judaism, and were put in place to ensure that Jews – both ancient and modern – would have a moral and spiritual foundation on which to base their lives.
Further, Moses was the beloved hero of revelations, responsible for articulating religious law and tradition, and for leading the exile from Egypt and keeping the Jewish people together in the face of adversity and oppression. He was a conductor of religious knowledge, teaching, and ceremonial rights, and is credited with bringing Judaism from infancy to adulthood.
Moses and the Sinai Covenant
The Sinai Covenant, or the Covenant at Mount Sinai, is the core text of Judaism. It is the scriptural covenant between God and the Israelites ($\dash$ the chosen people) that outlines the relationship between God and His people as articulated in the Bible. According to this covenant, Israelites must live in fidelity to God, and are obligated to keep His commands, and in return, Israelites will receive God’s protection and provision.
The formulation of the Sinai Covenant is attributed to Moses, who was its primary negotiator and witness throughout the dramatic reading of its signatories at Mount Sinai in the presence of God. For the Jewish people, the covenant was and continues to be an all-important pact, confirming the prophethood of Moses, and setting them apart as God’s chosen people.
The Sinai Covenant also outlines, in stark terms, what’s expected from God’s people. It delineates a code of behaviour, one that God expects the Chosen people to adhere to. As with many ancient religions, the relationship between God and the Israelites is a covenant and a contract, in which God has laid out his expectations, and the Israelites are duty-bound to uphold the sacred covenant. This is a key element of the ideas and practices of Judaism today, reflecting and reinforcing Moses’ relentless commitment to what would become the foundation of devotion and faith for generations to come.
The Sinai Covenant laid the groundwork for Judaism to emerge as a religion, and its terms are still observed in contemporary Judaism today. Those who observe the Covenant are assured of the protection of the divine and of the reward that comes with the fulfilment of their obligations outlined in the Covenant.
Moses and Monotheism
With Moses as a central figure, Judaism’s move from polytheism to monotheism revolved largely around the idea of God being a single, all powerful, supreme being. This shift to a strong belief in one God marked a spiritual revolution. Moses is often credited for having the unique role in history of leading the move away from polytheism and toward monotheism, a major distinguishing factor of Judaism.
He taught that worshipping one true God would bring unity to the people and solidarity against their oppressors. This way of thinking developed into the monotheistic core Jewish beliefs of today, which views God as the sole ruler of mankind, with no other divine counterparts. By introducing this message of monotheism to the people of Israel, Moses granted them a special status amongst all other nations of the earth.
Moreover, Moses established that God was invisible, incorporeal and holy. This was a profound message, because it differentiated Jews from other ancient peoples, who believed in gods who had human characteristics and were clearly visible on earth. The idea of one, unseen God helped create a bond between the Jewish people, uniting them in their understanding of God.
Moses’ teachings of monotheism provided the foundations of a faith spiritual faith that is the basis of Judaism today, and is reflected in its daily rituals, prayer, and festivals. The idea of a unified God, without a human form and without physical limitations, is a central component of the beliefs and practices of contemporary Judaism.
Moses’ Influences on Subsequent Leaders
The impact of Moses on live and faith of Jewish people did not end with him. After him, a vast array of prophetic, religious, and historical figures drew upon his words, stories and teachings. Subsequent leaders continued the tradition and legacy of Moses, evolving his work and codifying it into what is practiced today.
Leading figures such as Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Nehemiah owe much to the teachings and stories of Moses, as well as the wise kings such as David and Solomon and the Babylonians, Persians and Macedonians. These leaders, too, felt the power of Moses’ divine authority and revelled in his teachings as a beacon of hope and renewal.
The influence of Moses is also seen in the concepts of destruction and ultimate salvation produced by subsequent prophets and leaders. As one of the greatest prophets of Judaism, Moses has a legacy that has been passed down through both history and faith. His works, teachings and actions still reverberate in Jewish faith and faith of the world.
Moses’ Relevance in Jewish Thought
Moses’ relevance to Jewish thought is seen in the currency he still has today. His presence is felt in religious services every Shabbat, when books of the Torah are open and unwrapped, and in the blessings and invocations made during daily and liturgical services. His influence comes through in the prayer, Passover and other festivals, and in the rules and regulations that follow, many of which originate from Moses and his teachings.
In Jewish culture, his story is etched in memory and morality, from Passover seder to conversations at Shabbat meals, to classrooms and discussion groups. As such, he stands as an eternal symbol of how the spiritually, courage and dedication of one man can make an indelible, lasting impression on generations to come.
Moses, who is seen as a father and mentor to Jews around the world, is still remembered and honoured today. His courage and strength in the face of threat, such as during the Exodus from Egypt, have inspired Jews for generations and shaped their faith for centuries.
Moses’ Legacy and Impact on Judaism
The significance of Moses to Judaism is indelible. His influence rippled through time, writing and re-scripting elements of Jewish faith that has resonated throughout history. His narrative, and the story of the Exodus from Egypt, are at the core of Jewish heritage, identity, and faith today.
