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Jews read the Torah because people who were inspired by God wrote it so that is how they know how God wants them to live their lives.
- Answer 2
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoThe Torah was given by G-d to the Jews at Mt Sinai. Millions of Jews all heard the voice of G-d. This national revelation is the 'official' start of Judaism. No other religion began with such a mass audience.
Traditional Jewish belief is that 'everything' can be found in the Torah. It is not just a book that one can read, understand, and take at face value. The Torah can be understood on many different levels. Jewish scholars spend hours in Yeshiva studying and debating the text.
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Wiki User
∙ 15y agoIt is one of the fundamental books of their faith. It is the record of the origins of Judaism, and of their historic relationship with God. It contains God's laws for them, covering such matters as food and property, crime and punishment, marriage, citizenship and treatment of others, both fellow believers and foreigners. It provides the dates and details/form of their religious festivals. It has the genealogy of their ancient ancestors.
It shows their roots, right back to mankind's creation. One cannot know what Judaism is without knowing the Torah.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoReading (studying; learning) the Torah is commanded by God (Deuteronomy ch.11 and other passages). Its regularly-scheduled formal reading in synagogue services is a decree dating back to Moses (Maimonides, Laws of Prayer 12:1).
Our tradition is that the Torah was given by God (Exodus 24:12), to provide knowledge, guidance, inspiration, awe and reverence, advice, law, comfort, history and more. It is the basis of Judaism.
The Torah is a source of national pride for us (see Deuteronomy 4:6-8).
It increases our reverence towards God; crystallizes, strengthens and codifies our beliefs; insures our awareness and knowledge of our history; and provides powerful impetus to be ethical.
It makes us stand in awe of God, while also providing optimism and comfort through the prophecies of redemption. It inspires us to strive for holiness and informs us how to pray and to approach God's presence.
It gives us a great deal of general information, guidance and advice.
And it sets detailed laws, practices and traditions for us.
The laws have various reasons. Some (such as the Passover) serve to reenact or remember events of our history.
Some (such as saying the Shema-prayer) serve to reiterate our belief in God.
Some of the laws (such as those of ritual purity and kosher food) serve to sanctify us.
Some (such as the laws of torts) serve to maintain an orderly and just society.
Some (such as the law against breaking a vow) serve to prevent bad character traits.
Some (such as the command to offer help) serve to engender good character traits.
And all of the commands serve to subjugate us to God's will (especially those commands for which no explanation is easily apparent).
Some examples of the commands:
- Putting on Tefillin (phylacteries) in the morning
- Saying the Shema-prayer
- Sitting in the sukkah during Sukkot
- Avoiding leavened products in Passover
- Keeping kosher
- Not eating on Yom Kippur
- Not working on the Shabbat
- Paying workers on time
- Marital rights for one's wife
- The Ten Commandments
- Helping someone who is in danger
- Counting the days of the Omer
- Returning lost objects when feasible
- Wearing the tzitzith-garment
- Affixing a mezuzah to the door
- Learning Torah
- Keeping our rules of ethics
- Marrying and having children
- Educating one's children in Judaism
- Giving tzedakah (charity)
- Honoring one's parents
And many more.
Note that the Torah "as is" isn't exactly what Judaism observes. Rather, it's the Torah together with the details provided in the Talmud, which is the Oral Law that was handed down together with the laws of Moses. Otherwise, the verses of the Torah often lack enough detail to be fulfilled as is.
See also the other Related Links.
Link: What are the teachings, practices, principles and beliefs of Judaism?
Link: What is life like for Jews?
Link: More about the Hebrew Bible
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Where is the Torah read?
The Torah is read in synagogues across the world
What is the platform from which the Torah scrolls are read?
The platform where the Torah is read from is referred to as the "Bimah."
What happens with the Torah in a synagogue?
The Torah is read.
Is reading from the Torah permitted in the afternoon at an afternoon Bar Mitzvah?
The Torah is read in the afternoon on Sabbath, Yom Kippur, and public fast days. If a Bar Mitzvah is being highlighted at one of those services, then the Torah is read. Technically, a Bar Mitzvah in and of itself would not be a reason to read the Torah at a service where it wouldn't otherwise be read.
Is it hard to read the Torah?
For those who are not fluent in Hebrew, it is hard to read the Torah as the Torah scroll does not have nikkudot (pronunciation indicators).
What do Judaism's read?
they read the Torah
What is forbidden by Jewish people to the Torah instead they use a pointer to read the Torah called yad?
The Torah has supreme holiness and should not be touched by hand. However, it is read publicly and individuals are called up to the Torah to chant the blessings said before and after the reading of each section. In order that the person can follow the reading the reader uses a Yad or pointer to show the individual the place as the Torah is being read.
What is the Torah read from?
A Torah scroll, a Tanakh, a book with the Torah in it...! There are countless possibilities!
What do the Jews read their holy books out of?
The Torah, when read in the synagogue, is always read from a Torah-scroll. The Prophets are often read from printed volumes, but ideally are read from scrolls. When studying privately, only printed volumes are used.See also:More about Torah-scrolls
What is the podium called where the priest reads the Torah?
If you're referring to a kohen (sometimes translated as "priest"), you should bear in mind that both kohanim and non-kohanim may read the Torah. In Judaism, any man over the age of 13 (women too in some communities) may read from the Torah scroll for the public. The platform the Torah is read from is called a 'bimah' (BEE-mah).
What language do Jews chant from Torah?
The Torah is written ... and read from ... in Hebrew.
What age do Jews read the Torah?
For boys they have to be 13 to read the Torah but for girls they have to be 12 to read it publicly. However, children start studying Torah by first grade so around 6 years old.
