0
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).
What else can I help you with?
What makes the Torah significant to Jewish history?
The Torah defines the Jewish religion.
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 founding event for Judaism?
When we received the Torah.
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.
Why was the Torah named Torah?
The word Torah means 'Teachings'.
Why is the Torah called the Torah?
Torah is the Hebrew word for "Teaching" or "Instruction".Answer:The Torah itself names itself "The Torah" (Deuteronomy 31:24).
