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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; ensures 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.
To the wider world, the Torah provided the traditions of Monotheism and the Ten Commandments.
The Torah is egalitarian and values all individuals, both men and women. The wealthy have no privileges; and the poor are valued, treated well and their opinions listened to. (Compare this to those societies in which only mature, land-owning males had any legal status.)
Judaism applied laws, and rules of moral behavior, to all its members equally. The laws of Moses form much of Western legal background.
Quote:
"I will insist that the Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation ... fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations" (John Adams, 2nd President of the United States).
"Certainly, the world without the Jews would have been a radically different place. Humanity might have eventually stumbled upon all the Jewish insights, but we cannot be sure. All the great conceptual discoveries of the human intellect seem obvious and inescapable once they had been revealed, but it requires a special genius to formulate them for the first time. The Jews had this gift. To them we owe the idea of equality before the law, both Divine and human; of the sanctity of life and the dignity of human person; of the individual conscience and of collective conscience, and social responsibility" (Paul Johnson, Christian historian, author of A History of the Jews and A History of Christianity).
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoOur 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. Some examples of the commands: 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 Related Links. Link: What are some facts about Torah-scrolls?
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 themselves have various reasons. Some (such as the Passover) serve to reenact or commemorate 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 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).
Putting on Tefillin (a.k.a. phylacteries) in the morning
The sukkah-booth during Sukkot
Avoiding leavened products in Passover
Not eating on Yom Kippur
Not working on Saturday (Sabbath)
Paying workers on time
Marital rights for one's wife
Counting the days of the Omer
Returning lost objects when feasible
Wearing the tzitzith-garment
Learning Torah
Marrying and having children
Educating one's children in Judaism
Giving tzedakah (charity)
Honoring one's parents
And many more.
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It is the sacred Hebrew text. -apex
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What makes the Torah significant to Jewish history?
The Torah defines the Jewish religion.
What is the most significant founding event for Judaism?
When we received the Torah.
In which language did the Jews write the Torah?
The Jews received the Torah from God written in Hebrew, and significant numbers still read and study Torah in the original Hebrew to this day.
What is the most significant section in the Hebrew scriptures?
Most Jews would say that the Torah is the most significant section.
What event in Jewish history do you think is most formational or significant for Jewish religious practice today and Why?
The Giving of the Torah by God, because the Torah defines the Jewish religion.
One of the two most significant writings in Judaism?
the Torah, a.k.a. The Five Books Of Moses.
What stories and folklore that many Jews consider to be almost as significant to Judaism as the Hebrew bible?
The Talmud. In addition to stories, it has details of the Torah laws which the Torah omits for the sake of brevity.
Why was the exodus significant event in israelite history?
It marked the Israelites' transition from a family into a nation; and it was the prologue to the Giving of the Torah.
Why is shabbat significant for the Jews?
Because the Torah commands it (Exodus ch.31). It is a day of rest, regrouping, prayer, relaxation, family-time, and much more; but its basis is the Torah's command. This day is mentioned in the Torah many times (Genesis ch.2; Exodus ch.16,20,23,31,34,35; Leviticus ch.23).
Why is the exodus significant in Jewish history?
Because that was when God made us into a distinct nation and, within weeks afterward, gave us the Torah.
What did the Hebrews do for a living?
They were an agricultural society, with farms and livestock. There were also artisans of all kinds. A significant class among the people were sages and Torah-scholars.
How important is it for Jews to keep the sabbath day today?
The religious answer is that it is essential. It is one of the most prominent commands of the Torah, mentioned in the Torah more than ten times; and it's a significant part of our identity and what defines us as observant Jews. It should be noted that Judaism holds that the mere passage of time does not lessen the obligation of a Torah-law. The Torah was given over 3000 years ago, but it's age makes it no less important.
