Covenant
Van Leer Institute Series on Ideas: The Triumph of Life
The Triumph of Life is Rabbi Irving Greenberg’s magnum opus—a narrative of the relationship between God and humanity as expressed in the Jewish journey through modernity, the Holocaust, the creation of Israel, and the birth of Judaism’s next era.
Greenberg describes Judaism’s utopian vision of a world created by a God who loves life, who invites humans to live on the side of life, and who enables the forces of life to triumph over death. The Bible proclaims our mission of tikkun olam, repairing the world, such that every human image of God is sustained in the fullness of our dignity. To achieve this ideal, Judaism offers the method of covenant—a realistic, personal, incremental partnership between God and humanity across generations in which human beings grow ever more responsible for world repair.
Greenberg calls on us to redirect humanity’s unprecedented power in modernity to overcome poverty, oppression, inequality, sickness, and war. The work of covenant requires an ethic of power—one that advances life collaboratively and at a human pace—so that the Jewish people and all humanity can bring the world toward the triumph of life.
Choosing Life: On Judaism, Covenant, and the Future of Humanity
An online conversation facilitated by Rabbi Elie Spitz with renowned scholar Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, exploring powerful insights from Rabbi Greenberg’s new magnum opus, The Triumph of Life. Together, they delve into Judaism’s evolving response to modernity, the Holocaust, the founding of the State of Israel, and the emergence of a new era in Jewish thought. Rabbi Greenberg reflects on the covenantal partnership between God and humanity, the central role of human dignity, and Judaism’s enduring call to embrace life and engage in tikkun olam—repairing the world. This intimate dialogue offers a profound and hopeful vision of responsibility, renewal, and the sacred work of shaping a better future.
The Triumph of Life: A Narrative Theology of Judaism
Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, interviews Rabbi Dr. Yitz Greenberg about his latest book, The Triumph of Life: A Narrative Theology of Judaism.
The Triumph of Life is Rabbi Greenberg’s magnum opus—a narrative of the relationship between God and humanity as expressed in the Jewish journey through modernity, the Holocaust, the creation of Israel, and the birth of Judaism’s next era.
“Judaism: The Covenant”
:41
CLAL education lectures, 1990
from the series Turning Points in Jewish History: Living the Covenant
“Judaism’s Vision of the Covenant: The Triumph of Life”
1:09
An exploration of the Jewish view of the covenant and how it manifests in our lives. Rabbi Greenberg contends that the covenant is the most important message Judaism brings to the world
“Turning Points in Jewish History: Covenant”
1:32
Rabbi Greenberg discusses Jewish history to elucidate aspects of the covenant, a notion central to Judaism. Covenant is an unfolding process which allows humanity to realize its full potential for life and partnership.
Note on quality: tape has echo.
“Covenant: The Holidays”
1:01
Covenant offers the world a model on how to reach perfection through partnering humans with God in order to make moral progress in accordance with human limitations. The Torah’s legislation of slavery and unequal position of women are to be seen as measures intended to improve the society in which they were originally legislated with the longer-term goal of the eventual abolishment of these practices as the covenantal process continues. Covenant works toward the treatment of all people with dignity, starting with our own Jewish family while moving toward treating the rest of the world in a similar manner. Covenant provides human models such as Abraham and Sarah and is passed down from generation to generation. It is reinforced on the Jewish holidays through the reliving of slavery on Pesach, the learning to take responsibility for freedom on Sukkot, and the commitment to the covenant on Shavuot.
“Covenant: Moses”
1:20
Rabbi Greenberg explores the personality of Moses, the greatest leader of the Jewish people.
“Human Nature: Covenant/Conscience”
:57
Human perfection is both the beginning of the world and the goal of humankind.
Covenant: Individual Uniqueness”
1:31
The basis of the convenant is a recognition of the uniqueness of each individual. The covenant is the commitment of the Jewish people to work towards the perfection of the world.
Beginning of lecture is cut off.