The National And Religious Significance Of Mount Sinai In Judaism

In Rabbinic Judaism, rabbis consider Mount Sinai as ladder which has an elevated meaning. Mount Sinai is the place where all the Israelites met God and got Torah. In addition, it was at Mount Sinai that Israelites who used to be a heap of sand held together and got their common identity. Therefore, Mount Sinai is inseparable from the establishment of Judaism and the birth of Jewish nation. However, the definite location of Mount Sinai is still unknown in Judaism until now. Therefore, the author thinks it is necessary to approach the problems related to Mount Sinai from academic point and make a conclusion, which could help us know and understand this ancient unique ancient nation and their holy faith.My thesis is divided into four parts. The first part is an introduction to the whole thesis. The second part expounds the relationship between Mount Sinai and the birth of Jewish nation. The third part discourses the significance of Mount Sinai in Judaism. The last part is a comparative analysis of Mount Sinai and Mount Zion, which shows the unique value and significance of Mount Sinai.The first part is an introduction to the whole thesis. Since the second temple was destructed in 70AD, the Jewish people were scattered around the world. During almost 2000 years in Diaspora, Mount Sinai where Sinaitic covenant was established became a geography symbol rooted in the hearts of Jews in Diaspora, which guarded this nation and gave them power. Therefore, this thesis at first from the dimension of geography symbol analyzes the significance of Mount Sinai for Jewish nation and Judaism. The birth of Jewish nation and Judaism was inseparable from Sinaitic covenant. However, the birth of Sinaitic covenant had a close connection with environment. Therefore, this thesis outlines the natural environment in Sinai Peninsula and analyses that natural environment was inseparable from the formation of Jewish national community. Additionally, the social background was another key factor for the establishment of Sinaitic covenant. Therefore, from the point of social history the author explains the relation between The Exodus and life condition in Sinai Peninsula. Combining with the theory of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the author tries to analyze the relationship between the special psychology of Israelites in The Exodus and the establishment of Sinaitic covenant. The last part of the first chapter based on the view of Maimonides is to explain why Jewish people firmly believe Sinai event is true.The second part expounds the relationship between Mount Sinai and the birth of Jewish nation. Foremost, the author analyses that because of Sinaitic covenant, all Israelites at Mount Sinai became a covenant nation. Secondly, based on the definition of nation by our nationality scientist Yangkun, the author demonstrates at Mount Sinai Israelites had already possessed four factors that a nation had, which shows that Israelites had national identity at Mount Sinai. There is need to say, the factors of being a nation at Mount Sinai may be infant, but it was able to have an obvious trend toward mature stage.The third part discourses the significance of Mount Sinai in Judaism. According to the religious theory of Lv Daji, at Mount Sinai Judaism had already possessed the four elements that can show Judaism was formed at Mount Sinai. In rabbinic Judaism, rabbis think Mount Sinai was the choicest place by God. Therefore, at first the author explains three reasons why Mount Sinai was the chosen place by God in rabbinic Judaism. Other key thoughts related to Mount Sinai follows that one. Ultimately, the author introduces the festival, namely Shavuot in order to emphasize the influence of Shavuot. Shavuot actualizes the past that Jewish people made covenant with God, which strengthens Jewish identity.The last part is a comparative analysis of Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. In Jewish tradition, Mount Zion symbolizes Jerusalem, which has a deep religious and political significance. At first, based on the Mircea Eliade’s view related to holiness, expounds Mount Sinai and Mount Zion both are cosmic mountains, holy mountains in Judaism. Then, from "known and unknown", "Zion as the heir to Sinai" and "Mount Sinai and prohibited for idolatry" 3 aspects prove the uniqueness and value of Mount Sinai in Judaism.