Judaism's sacred texts form the foundation of Jewish belief and practice. The Torah, Tanakh, and Talmud are key components, each offering unique insights into Jewish law, history, and tradition.

The Torah, containing the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, is central to Jewish life. The Tanakh expands on this, while the Talmud provides rabbinic interpretations and discussions of Jewish law.

Jewish Sacred Texts

Torah, Tanakh, and Talmud

• Torah refers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) believed to have been revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai
• Tanakh encompasses the entire Hebrew Bible, which includes the Torah, Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings)
• Talmud is a collection of rabbinical discussions, interpretations, and rulings on the Torah compiled between the 3rd and 5th centuries CE
• Talmud consists of the Mishnah, a written record of the Oral Torah, and the Gemara, a commentary on the Mishnah

Midrash Interpretation

• Midrash is a method of interpreting biblical stories that goes beyond simple distillation of religious, legal, or moral teachings
• Midrash fills in gaps in biblical narratives, addresses theological questions, and resolves apparent contradictions in the text
• Midrashic literature includes the Midrash Rabbah, a collection of commentaries on the Torah and Five Scrolls (Esther, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs)
• Midrash Aggadah focuses on biblical narratives and homiletic interpretations, while Midrash Halakha deals with legal matters and the derivation of Jewish law

Divisions of the Tanakh

Torah (The Law)

• Torah, also known as the Pentateuch or the Five Books of Moses, is the foundational text of Judaism
• Torah contains the 613 commandments (mitzvot) that guide Jewish religious life and practice
• Torah is read in weekly portions (parshiyot) in synagogues throughout the year
• Torah scrolls are handwritten on parchment by skilled scribes and are treated with great reverence

Nevi'im (The Prophets)

• Nevi'im is divided into the Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings) and the Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve Minor Prophets)
• Former Prophets recount the history of the Israelites from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile
• Latter Prophets contain the teachings and prophecies of individual prophets, often calling for social justice and warning against idolatry
• Prophetic books are read in synagogues as part of the weekly Torah reading cycle (haftarah)

Ketuvim (The Writings)

• Ketuvim includes a diverse collection of texts, such as Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles
• Psalms is a collection of 150 hymns and prayers expressing a wide range of human emotions and experiences
• Five Scrolls (Megillot) are read on specific Jewish holidays: Song of Songs (Passover), Ruth (Shavuot), Lamentations (Tisha B'Av), Ecclesiastes (Sukkot), and Esther (Purim)
• Ketuvim offers wisdom, poetry, and historical narratives that complement the teachings of the Torah and Nevi'im

Components of the Talmud

Mishnah (Oral Torah)

• Mishnah is the first major written collection of the Jewish oral traditions, compiled by Rabbi Judah ha-Nasi around 200 CE
• Mishnah is written in a concise, often cryptic style of Hebrew and is divided into six orders (sedarim) covering various aspects of Jewish law
• Six orders of the Mishnah: Zeraim (Seeds), Moed (Festivals), Nashim (Women), Nezikin (Damages), Kodashim (Holy Things), and Tohorot (Purities)
• Mishnah serves as the foundation for the development of the Gemara and later rabbinic literature

Gemara (Commentary on the Mishnah)

• Gemara is a collection of rabbinic discussions, debates, and commentaries on the Mishnah, compiled in the 3rd-5th centuries CE
• Two versions of the Gemara: the Jerusalem Talmud (Talmud Yerushalmi) and the Babylonian Talmud (Talmud Bavli)
• Babylonian Talmud is more comprehensive and authoritative, becoming the primary source for Jewish law and practice
• Gemara is written in a combination of Hebrew and Aramaic and often employs a complex, dialectical style of argumentation (shakla ve-tarya)
• Studying the Talmud is central to Jewish religious education and has shaped Jewish thought, culture, and identity for centuries