In Jewish tradition, the covenant that initiates Judaism is made with which patriarch?

• A. Moses
• B. Isaac
• C. Abraham
• D. David

Answer: (C)

The starting moment for Judaism is the covenant God makes with Abraham, making him the founding patriarch of the people. This covenant establishes a distinct community bound by promise—to receive land, have many descendants, and be a blessing to all nations. The sign of this covenant is circumcision, marking Abraham and his male descendants as belonging to this covenantal people. Later events, like the Sinai covenant with Moses that delivers the Torah, build on this foundation but do not initiate the relationship itself. Isaac continues the lineage, and David becomes central for the royal messianic expectation, but the first covenant that initiates Judaism is with Abraham.