These first sources are examples from Biblical verses in which the term “emunah”refers not to a cognitive belief that certain facts are true, but rather a condition of trust and reliance one. This will be “model 1” of faith, namely that faith is an existential relationship to God and the world, related to reliance and trust. The human response to reliance and trust naturally is, or perhaps ought to be, one of dedication and faithfulness. That is, if we trust others and God, we are willing to follow them and be dedicated to them in return. 

These passages play the role of identifying the notion of existential faith in classical sources.

In this verse, Avraham’s problem was that God had made promises which had not come true, and Avraham is asking God about that. After God’s assurances, Avraham’s faith here clearly means trust.



Here's what students will take away from this source:

• The term emunah - "faith" - in the Torah is not about "belief," but instead connotes an attitude of commitment and fidelity, even in the face of uncertainty or hardship.

Key questions that will be explored throughout this section:

1. What does the word “faith”/emunah mean?
2. What does it mean for a person to have faith?
3. How does faith influence a person’s experience, actions, commitments in the world?
   
   

Reflective/Affective questions for students based on this source:

1. What does the word "belief" mean to you? What does it mean to "believe" in something?
2. What things are we loyal to? What does that fidelity consist of?
3. Think of friends, family members, a school, favorite sports team - what makes us loyal to these things? Where does that loyalty come from? What actions stem from loyalty? What would disqualify someone as loyal?