The Jewish Bible is made up of three parts, known as the Tanakh. The texts are:
- Torah
- Nevi'im
- Ketuvim
The Torah is the most important book. It is also know as the Five Books of Moses. These five books are the basis of all Jewish life.
The total length of the Torah is 140-148 feet long. It is written in Hebrew and found in a Synagogue, the only way to handle the scroll is through the use of a special stick called a Yad.
The Torah was composed by Moses, though Rabbis and theologians changed the torah countless times throughout centuries of the Jewish religion. However there is one thing that hasn't been changed. The five books of the Torah. These five books cover all legislation, social and religious behaviours of Jewish life.
The total length of the Torah is 140-148 feet long. It is written in Hebrew and found in a Synagogue, the only way to handle the scroll is through the use of a special stick called a Yad.
The Torah was composed by Moses, though Rabbis and theologians changed the torah countless times throughout centuries of the Jewish religion. However there is one thing that hasn't been changed. The five books of the Torah. These five books cover all legislation, social and religious behaviours of Jewish life.
The Torah
Genesis:
Genesis is the first book of the Torah. It means 'the beginning'. It covers how humans and Jews came to be.
The first chapters the book explains the story of Abraham and the covenant he made with God. Then the last chapters include the Jews in Egypt being welcomed by the Pharaoh.
Genesis is the first book of the Torah. It means 'the beginning'. It covers how humans and Jews came to be.
The first chapters the book explains the story of Abraham and the covenant he made with God. Then the last chapters include the Jews in Egypt being welcomed by the Pharaoh.
Exodus:
Exodus is he second book of the Torah. It means 'going out'. The start of the book explains how the Jews where enslaved by the Egyptians. The main body of the book explains how Moses and Aaron went to the Pharaoh and for him to free the Jews. Though the Pharaoh was stubborn. This is when God let down the ten plagues, just to name a few:
Exodus is he second book of the Torah. It means 'going out'. The start of the book explains how the Jews where enslaved by the Egyptians. The main body of the book explains how Moses and Aaron went to the Pharaoh and for him to free the Jews. Though the Pharaoh was stubborn. This is when God let down the ten plagues, just to name a few:
- Turned all water into blood
- Plagued the country with frogs
- Poisoned all livestock
- (Note) Within this time the origins of the Passover where born
Leviticus:
Leviticus is the third book of the Torah. It means 'relating to the levites". It practically lays down all the laws for the Jewish religion. It goes over things like, the first priests, how to sacrifice and the Holiness code. It is set when the Israelites are near Mount Sinai.
Leviticus is the third book of the Torah. It means 'relating to the levites". It practically lays down all the laws for the Jewish religion. It goes over things like, the first priests, how to sacrifice and the Holiness code. It is set when the Israelites are near Mount Sinai.
Numbers:
Numbers is the fourth book of the Torah. It means 'in the desert'. It covers the 40 years of exile of the Jews in the desert. The story explains of Korah and 250 leaders rose up against Moses challenging his calling from God, The Lord caused an earthquake that swallowed Korah and his followers. While the rest of the Jews that had faith in God where allowed to enter the Promised Land. The book gives a clear message that God is very powerful and should be feared.
Numbers is the fourth book of the Torah. It means 'in the desert'. It covers the 40 years of exile of the Jews in the desert. The story explains of Korah and 250 leaders rose up against Moses challenging his calling from God, The Lord caused an earthquake that swallowed Korah and his followers. While the rest of the Jews that had faith in God where allowed to enter the Promised Land. The book gives a clear message that God is very powerful and should be feared.
Deuteronomy:
Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Torah. It means the 'the second law'. Within the book there are three speeches written by Moses that sum up the three key themes to Judaism:
At the end of the book, Moses dies, and is still considered the greatest prophet of Judaism.
Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Torah. It means the 'the second law'. Within the book there are three speeches written by Moses that sum up the three key themes to Judaism:
- To follow and adhere to the law.
- To worship only the one God.
- If Israel ever prove unfaithful, they can repent their sins to God.
At the end of the book, Moses dies, and is still considered the greatest prophet of Judaism.
Nevi'im and Kevutim
The next set of Sacred texts are called the Nevi'im. The Nevi'im (translated to prophets) It is a set of narrative books that explain how life was in exile. There are hundreds of people that wrote these narratives, though the main eight are:
- Joshua - Conquers land of Israel, writes about the twelve tribes and giving land to them
- Samuel - Consists of two books, they both look of the life of Saul and how David succeeded him.
- Kings - Written over 300 years. Explains how the Babylonians captured Judah. The jews believe that this was karma for being unfaithful to God.
- Isaiah - Recounts of Jews in Babylonian slave camps. God tells Isaiah that Israel will soon be restored, only if the Jews follow the Covenant.
- Jeremiah - Also recounts the Jews in Slave camps. Though Jeremiah foresees the downfall of the Babylonian people and tells all Jews that freedom is close.
- Ezekiel - Blames the exile of the Jews on the people of Israel and Judah
- Twelve Minor Prophets - These prophets are secondary prophets. Meaning that they are minor, though they still add to the history of Israel.
The third set of books are the called Kevutim (translated to instruction). These 11 books organise the Jewish religion, they are basically the instructions of life. The 11 books are divided in to 3 sections:
1. The Three Poetic Books
1. The Three Poetic Books
- Tehillim
- Mishlei
- Iyyôbh
- Shīr Hashīrīm
- Rūth
- Eikhah
- Qōheleth
- Estēr
- Dānî’ēl
- Ezrā
- Divrei ha-Yamim
Talmud
The Talmud consists of the Mishnah and the Gemara.
Though you may ask "what is difference between the Talmud and the Torah?"
Well the this video below will give you a perfect answer!
- The Mishnah (translates to secondary) is the written record of the Jewish 'oral law'. It gives the jewish people all the information they need to live a happy religious life. This includes how to conduct rituals, ceremonies and certain ethical teachings. The origins are debated between the Orthodox and Reform Jews. Though the Orthodox Jews believe that the Mishnah was originated from Moses. The Mishnah was published in 200 CE.
- The Gemara is the Rabbis version of the Mishnah. The only reason the Rabbis made a second 'Mishnah' is because when the Romans destroyed the second temple, the Rabbis where afraid that it will be forgotten and distorted. Without the Rabbis altering and rewriting the Gemara, the Talmud won't be the same. The Gemara was published in 500 CE
Though you may ask "what is difference between the Talmud and the Torah?"
Well the this video below will give you a perfect answer!