Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the covenant mentioned in Genesis 15:18?
A: The covenant in Genesis 15:18 is the 'Brit Bein HaBetarim' (Covenant Between the Parts), where Hashem promised Avram (later Avraham) that his descendants would inherit the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates. This is a foundational promise in Judaism, showing Hashem's eternal commitment to the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.
Q: Why is this covenant with Avram important in Judaism?
A: This covenant is crucial because it establishes the Jewish people's eternal connection to the Land of Israel. According to Rashi and other commentators, this promise was unconditional and everlasting, forming the basis for the Jewish claim to the land throughout history, as reiterated in the Torah and later Jewish teachings.
Q: What are the boundaries of the land promised in Genesis 15:18?
A: The verse describes the land as stretching from the 'river of Egypt' (identified by Rashi as the Nile or a smaller eastern tributary) to the 'great river, the river Perat' (the Euphrates). This defines the maximum borders of the land promised to Avraham's descendants, though Jewish possession of the land has varied throughout history based on merit and divine will.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jews today?
A: This verse reminds Jews of our eternal bond with the Land of Israel, as affirmed by Hashem. The Rambam (Maimonides) includes belief in this promise as part of Jewish faith. While the full boundaries may only be realized in the Messianic era, this covenant remains central to Jewish identity and our connection to Eretz Yisrael.
Q: Why did Hashem make this covenant with Avram specifically?
A: The Midrash explains that Avram was chosen because of his unwavering faith in Hashem, as demonstrated earlier in Genesis 15:6 where it states 'he believed in Hashem.' This covenant rewarded his faith and established his descendants as the chosen people to inherit and sanctify the land. The Talmud (Nedarim 32a) discusses how Avraham's loyalty earned this eternal promise.
The Covenant with Avram
The verse describes the brit (covenant) that Hashem established with Avram (later Avraham), promising the Land of Israel to his descendants. This covenant is foundational in Jewish tradition, as it establishes the eternal bond between Hashem, the Jewish people, and Eretz Yisrael.
Boundaries of the Promised Land
The verse specifies the borders of the land: "from the river of Mitzrayim to the great river, the river Perat (Euphrates)." Rashi explains that the "river of Mitzrayim" refers to the Nile, while the Euphrates is the eastern boundary. The Ramban (Nachmanides) elaborates that these borders represent the maximal extent of the land under Jewish sovereignty during the reigns of David and Shlomo (Solomon).
The Nature of the Covenant
This brit is one of several covenants in Sefer Bereishit, each reinforcing the promise of the Land. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 44:14) teaches that this covenant was sealed with a symbolic act—the "Covenant Between the Pieces" (Bereishit 15)—emphasizing its irrevocable nature. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 11:1) cites this verse as proof that the Land of Israel is an eternal inheritance for the Jewish people.
Significance of "To Thy Seed"
The phrase "To thy seed have I given this land" is interpreted by Chazal (our Sages) as referring specifically to the descendants of Yitzchak (Isaac), not Yishmael (Ishmael), as later clarified in Bereishit 17:19-21. The Talmud (Kiddushin 36a) derives from this that the Jewish people's claim to the Land is unconditional and divinely ordained.
Lessons for Future Generations