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What is the Torah?
The term Torah (Hebrew: תּוֹרָה, "Instruction"), also known as the Pentateuch, refers to the Five Books of Moses - which is Judaism's founding legal and ethical rel…igious text. A "Sefer Torah" (סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, "book of Torah") or Torah scroll is a copy of the Torah written on parchment in a formal, traditional manner by a specially trained scribe under strict requirements. The Torah is the first of the three parts of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), the founding religious document of Judaism, and is divided into five books, whose names in English are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, in reference to their themes. Their Hebrew names, Bereshit, בראשית, Shmot שמות, Vayikra ויקרא, Bamidbar במדבר, and Dvarim דברים, are derived from the wording of their initial verses. The Torah contains a variety of literary content, including allegory, historical narrative, poetry, genealogy, and the exposition of various types of law. According to rabbinic tradition, the Torah contains the 613 mitzvot (מצוות, "commandments"), which are divided into 365 restrictions and 248 positive commands. In rabbinic literature, the word "Torah" denotes both the written text, "Torah Shebichtav" (תורה שבכתב, "Torah that is written"), as well as an oral tradition, "Torah Shebe'al Peh" (תורה שבעל פה, "Torah that is oral"). The oral portion consists of the "traditional interpretations and amplifications handed down by word of mouth from generation to generation," now embodied in the Talmud and Midrash. According to Jewish tradition the Torah was revealed by God to Moses in 1312 BCE at Mount Sinai (another date given for this event is 1280 BCE). The Zohar, the most significant text in Jewish mysticism, states that God knew the Torah prior to the creation of the world, and that He used it as the blueprint for Creation. Modern biblical scholars see no signs of Mosaic authorship, but indications of much later writing. Outside of its central significance in Judaism, the Torah is accepted also by Christianity as part of the Bible, comprising the first five books of the Old Testament. The various denominations of Jews and Christians hold a diverse spectrum of views regarding the exactitude of scripture. The Torah has also been accepted to varying degrees by the Samaritans. Answer: The Torah (תורה), also called the Pentateuch, is the primary Jewish holy book. It is comprised of the 5 Books of Moses (also called the Books of the Law). The Torah was given by God to Moses (Exodus 24:12), who transmitted it to the people and wrote it (Deuteronomy 31:24). 1-5: The Torah, or Five Books of Moses: • Bereshit (Genesis) • Shemot (Exodus) • VaYikra (Leviticus) • BaMidbar (Numbers) • Devarim (Deuteronomy) (MORE)
