The Torah, often referred to as the Five Books of Moses, is the foundational text of Judaism. It comprises the first part of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, and is also included in the Christian Old Testament. The five books are Genesis (Bereshit), Exodus (Shemot), Leviticus (Vayikra), Numbers (Bamidbar), and Deuteronomy (Devarim).
The word “Torah” is derived from the Hebrew root Y-R-H, which means “to guide” or “to teach”. It is often translated as “Law”, but this oversimplifies the breadth of its teachings. Torah is considered the divine instruction to the Jewish people and covers a vast range of topics, including religious ritual, civil and criminal law, ethical conduct, and historical narratives.
Genesis, the first book of the Torah, describes the creation of the world, the early stories of humanity, and the origins of the Jewish people through the patriarchs and matriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.
Exodus recounts the story of the Israelites’ enslavement in Egypt, their liberation under the leadership of Moses, and the Revelation at Mount Sinai, where the Israelites received the Ten Commandments and entered into a covenant with God.
Leviticus focuses primarily on priestly matters, sacrificial rites, and religious ceremonies, as well as ethical teachings, such as the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Numbers tells of the Israelites’ wanderings in the wilderness for 40 years after the exodus from Egypt, their trials and tribulations, and their preparations to enter the land of Canaan.
Deuteronomy, the final book, is a series of speeches by Moses shortly before his death, summarizing the laws and teachings given in the previous books and exhorting the people to loyalty to God and the covenant.
Beyond the written text, the term “Torah” also encompasses the Oral Torah—the interpretations and elaborations of the written laws. The Oral Torah was transmitted generation to generation and eventually codified in the Mishnah and the Talmud, which contain rabbinic discussions and commentaries.
In traditional Jewish belief, the Torah is considered divinely revealed, with Moses as the principal prophet through whom God transmitted the laws and teachings. The Torah is not seen as a document of history or of strict legal codes but as a living, breathing document that provides guidance for every aspect of life.
The Torah is handwritten on a parchment scroll by a specially trained scribe (a sofer) and is used in synagogue services for the public reading of its portions, according to a yearly cycle. The completion of this cycle is celebrated on the festival of Simchat Torah (“Rejoicing in the Torah”).
In summary, the Torah is the foundational scripture of Judaism, containing the divine teachings and laws given to the Jewish people. It narrates the beginnings of the universe and the journey of the Jewish people from creation to the threshold of the Promised Land. Its teachings form the basis of Jewish law, ethics, and spirituality. The Torah remains a living document, deeply relevant to the lives of Jews today, and continues to be studied, interpreted, and revered.