We are creating the world's most trusted encyclopedia and knowledge base.
Once you join us and log in, you'll be able to edit this page instantly!

Torah

From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium

Jump to: navigation, search
Image:Statusbar3.png
Main Article
Talk
Definition [?]
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
 
This is a draft article, under development. These unapproved articles are subject to a disclaimer.
(CC) Photo: David Lisbona Torah scrolls. Bet El Synagogue, Casablanca, Morocco.
(CC) Photo: David Lisbona
Torah scrolls. Bet El Synagogue, Casablanca, Morocco.

The Torah (תורה), literally "Teaching" or "Instruction," is the holy book of Judaism. It originally referred to the Teachings of Moses, as written down in the Five Books of Moses, which open the Tenach (Jewish Bible).

Later it came to include the entire set of teachings relating to Judaism, including the entire "Written Torah" or Torah Shebichtav, consisting of the 24 books of the Tenach; and the "Oral Torah" or Torah Shebe'al Peh, which consists of the "Midrashim" (homiletic interpretations), Mishna, Talmud, Commentaries, Books of Religious Law etc.

Pentateuch

The central texts of Judaism are the Five Books of Moses, known in Hebrew as Chamisha Chumshei Torah (חמישה חומשי תורה) and in English as the Pentateuch.

It consists of:

  1. Bereshit (Genesis), detailing the history of mankind and the Patriarchs of the People of Israel, up to the exile into Egypt
  2. Shemot (Exodus), the history of the People of Israel in Egypt, their miraculous Exodus, their early travels in the Wilderness, the reception of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, and the establishment of the Tabernacle
  3. Vayikra (Leviticus), laying down many Commandments, most of which relate to the Sacrificial Worship
  4. Bamidbar (Numbers), the later part of Israel's travels through the Wilderness
  5. Devarim (Deuteronomy). The final book of the Pentateuch (see article).
Views
Personal tools