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How did Jewish monotheism combine concern for all humanity with a special covenant with Israel?

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Jerusalem: Western Wall, Temple Mount — Judaism The Western Wall, in the Old City of Jerusalem, all that remains of the retaining wall surrounding the Temple Mount.

In Judaism, the combination of a special covenant with Israel and a concern for all humanity is understood through a "double motif" of particularism and universalism. This relationship is not contradictory but rather a "subtle interplay of affirmation and rejection," where Israel’s specific obligations serve a broader divine purpose for the world.123

The Covenantal Role

The covenant between God and Israel, established through the Torah, designates the Jewish people as a "treasured people" and a "kingdom of priests". This choice was not based on merit or size but on divine love, imposing upon Israel the responsibility to be a "light of the nations" and a witness to God’s reality. Israel’s existence as a "holy community" is intended to function within and for the sake of humanity, acting as a channel for divine blessing to overcome the estrangement of humankind from God.34

Universalist Implications

While Israel maintains a unique relationship with God, this does not negate the divine solicitude for all peoples. Prophetic traditions, particularly in Deutero-Isaiah, emphasize that God is the creator of the universe and that the ultimate divine purpose is to unite all humanity in the acknowledgment of Him. This universalism is further reflected in the concept of Noahide Laws, which provide a framework for non-Jews to achieve spiritual fulfillment, and the modern ethical ideal of tikkun olam, which seeks to heal the world through social justice and the alleviation of global suffering.1456