What was the Jewish book called?

Answer 1

There are a number of important books that Jews read in synagogues (Tanakh, Talmud, Siddur, etc.), but the most important of these would be the Jewish Holy Book, the Torah, which is presented to the congregation as a large scroll and read from along with cantilation.

Answer 2

Specifically in a religious context, Jews read the Tanakh (Jewish Bible), containing the Torah and the prophetic books; plus the Talmud (containing the Oral Law), and other books of Jewish morals, law, stories, outlook, etc.

In a more general context, Jews read a wide variety of books. In terms of strictly religious literature, Judaism recounts the events of the Tanakh which are quite numerous. Most other religious Jewish Literature is Rabbinic Commentary on the laws presented in the Torah.

Discussion on the Tanakh and its Components

The Torah itself is the most holy book of Judaism. Torah, which means "teaching", is God's revealed instructions to the Jewish people.

It is important to note that while "Torah" is generally used to refer to the Five Books of Moses or Pentateuch, it is sometimes used to refer to the basic texts of Judaism in general. In this sense, "Torah" includes the Torah itself, as well as Midrash, Mishnah, and Talmud, which are the Oral Torah.

Tanakh Composition:

The complete Jewish Bible is composed of 24 books called the Tanakh (תנ״ך). In Hebrew, Tanakh is an acronym of T, N, K which stands for the three parts of the Tanakh:

Torah

Neviim (Prophets)

Ketuvim (Writings)

1) Torah (תורה) (Teachings) also called the Pentateuch, is the primary Jewish holy book. It contains the 5 Books of Moses (also called the Books of the Law). These books are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Jews believe that the Torah was given by God to Moses (Exodus 24:12), who transmitted it to the people (Deuteronomy 31:24). Traditionally, it is read in front of a congregation several times a week and the scroll containing the Torah is considered holy. The word "Torah" derives from the Hebrew word "yarah" which means "to aim" or "direct" and Jews believe that the words of the Torah aim and direct a Jew to proper action and belief. The word Torah also has the same root as 'morah', meaning teacher.

1-5: The Torah or Five Books of Moses:

1. (בראשית / Bereshit) - Genesis2. (שמות / Shemot) - Exodus3. (ויקרא / Vayikra) - Leviticus4. (במדבר / Bamidbar) - Numbers5. (דברים / Devarim) - Deuteronomy

2) Nevi'im (נביאים) (the Prophets). The Jews see the book of Prophets as the story of their past and the connection between God and Israel. Jewish tradition (Talmud, Bava Batra 14b) states that the prophetic books were written by the authors whose names they bear: Joshua, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, etc. Judges is credited to Samuel, Kings was written by Jeremiah. The Prophets is comprised of a total of 8 books according to the Jewish count.

6-9: The Nevi'im Rishonim, the Early Prophets: 6. (יהושע / Y'hoshua) - Joshua7. (שופטים / Shophtim) - Judges8. (שמואל / Sh'muel) - Samuel (I & II)9. (מלכים / M'lakhim) - Kings (I & II)10-13: The Nevi'im Acharonim, the Later Prophets10. (ישעיה / Y'shayahu) - Isaiah11. (ירמיה / Yir'mi'yahu) - Jeremiah12. (יחזקאל / Y'khezqel) - Ezekiel13. (תרי עשר / Trei Asar), or Minor Prophets (or "The Twelve Prophets")

Books and Prophets within the Trei Asar:

a. (הושע / Hoshea) - Hoseab. (יואל / Yo'el) - Joelc. (עמוס / Amos) - Amosd. (עובדיה / Ovadyah) - Obadiahe. (יונה / Yonah) - Jonahf. (מיכה / Mikhah) - Micahg. (נחום / Nakhum) - Nahumh. (חבקוק /Havakuk) - Habakkuki. (צפניה / Ts'phanyah) - Zephaniahj. (חגי / Khagai) - Haggaik. (זכריה / Z'kharyah) - Zechariahl. (מלאכי / Mal'akhi) - Malachi

3) Ketuvim (כתובים) (the Writings) includes the remaining History Books: Daniel, Lamentations, and others. Jewish tradition (Talmud, Bava Batra 14b) states that the prophetic books were written by the authors whose names they bear: Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, etc. Ruth was written by Samuel, Lamentations was written by Jeremiah, Psalms was set in writing by King David, Chronicles was written by Ezra, Proverbs, Song of Songs and Kohellet (Ecclesiastes) were written by King Solomon, and Esther was written by Mordecai and Esther. Concerning Job, the Talmud states more than one opinion as to when it was written. The Writings consists of 11 books by the Jewish count:

14-16: The "Sifrei Emet"

14. (תהלים / Tehillim) - Psalms

15. (משלי / Mishlei) - Proverbs

16. (איוב / Iyov) - Job

17-21: The "Five Megilot" or "Five Scrolls"

17. (שיר השירים / Shir Hashirim) - Song of Songs

18. (רות / Rut) - Ruth

19. (איכה / Eikhah) - Lamentations

20. (קהלת / Kohelet) - Ecclesiastes

21. (אסתר / Esther) - Esther

22-24: The rest of the Writings:

22. (דניאל / Dani'el) - Daniel

23. (עזרא ונחמיה / Ezra v'Nechemia) - Ezra-Nehemiah

24. (דברי הימים / Divrei Hayamim) - Chronicles (I & II)

Further Discussion on the Tanakh

The term Torah can refer loosely to the entire Jewish Bible.

Tradition places the sealing of the Tanakh's canon around 340 BCE.

Answer 3

The Torah is the Five Books of Moses. It is the holiest of Jewish books.

The Tanach, which is the Hebrew Bible, contains the Torah, the Prophets and the Scriptures. Together, these make up the written law.

Answer 4

The Jewish Bible is called the Tanach. The word Tanach is an acronym made from the names of its three sections: Torah (Teachings), Nevi'im (Prophets), K'tuvim (Writings).

Answer 5

We pray from the siddur (prayerbook). During some (but not all) of the prayer-services, a portion of the Torah is also read, from a Torah-scroll.

Answer 6

The Torah.

Answer 7

The Torah