Why is the Torah important to the Israelites?

Answer 1

Answer:

Actually, the Old Testament plays no role in Judaism. The Christian Old Testament is based on the Tanach (Jewish Bible), but was altered in both its translation and the order of the books in order to support the teachings of Christianity.

Answer:

The short answer is that the Old Testament the Hebrew Scriptures are the basis of life. It is what Jewish people live and breath for. The laws, precepts, and commands form what it means to be Jewish.

Answer:

The Torah, which is the first 5 books of the Old Testament Hebrew Bible, is the foundation for the Jewish beliefs. Moses Abraham, Isaac etc are the very core.

Answer 2

The Torah is the backbone of Judaism. It contains the 613 commandmants that form the basis of Jewish ethical behavior. It also contains the only written record of ancient Jewish history, and even though not every Jew believes it literally, it is important to every practicing Jew on some level. It is the one source that binds all Jews together.

Answer 3

Answer 1
We believe it is the "blueprint of the world" and the instruction booklet, so to speak.

Answer 2
The Torah's importance stems from its being the words of God (Exodus 24:12) and the covenant between God and the Israelites.

Answer 3
The Torah is YHWH's instructions for good and holy living. YHWH (Exo 3:15) wants us all to be holy - Lev 2:26. Torah is just that - instructions on how to be holy. Torah actually applies to ANYONE who accepts YHWH as their God - even Christians. (Numbers 15:16) Unfortunately, Christians think their "Jesus" came to replace YHWH, and "do away with all that Old Testament stuff". (This is a sad an misleading teaching. But it comes from themisinterpretedteachings of Paul in the NT. Even Peter said Paul was hard to understand, and that many would teach falsely to the destruction of many! (2 Peter 3:15-17))

So Torah should be important to all, not just the "Jews"! Even "Jesus" was obedient to Torah, and even said He did not come to do away with Torah! (Matthew 5:17) "For I am giving you a good teaching, do not forsake My Torah." (Proverbs 4:2 from the original Hebrew.)

Answer 4

The Torah states that it is the word of God (Exodus 24:12); and the prophets say "thus spoke God". The Torah tells us to study it (Deuteronomy ch.6) and obey it (ibid ch.5) and that it is our way to wisdom and success (ibid ch.4).

The Bible in its original language is its ideal medium, as translations prevent full understanding of the text.

Answer 5

The Torah is important because it hold laws, facts, rules, and narratives of the Jewish origin.

Answer:Our tradition is that the Torah is from God (Exodus 24:12), given to us to provide knowledge, guidance, inspiration, awe and reverence, advice, law, comfort, history and more. It is the basis of Judaism.

The Torah made us proud to be Jewish (see Deuteronomy 4:6-8).

It increased our reverence towards God; crystallized, strengthened and codified our beliefs; insured our awareness and knowledge of our history; and provided 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.

Answer 6

The Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) is important because it tells the history of the ancient Israelites, as well as giving us the teachings of such prophets as Moses, Isaiah and Jeremiah, the stories of kings like David and Saul, and the ethics and beliefs of the Jewish religion.Our tradition is that the Hebrew Bible is from God (Exodus 24:12), given to us to provide knowledge, guidance, inspiration, awe and reverence, advice, law, comfort, history and more. It is the basis of Judaism. It crystallized, strengthened and codified our beliefs; insured our awareness and knowledge of our identity and history; and provided powerful impetus to be ethical.
It made us stand in awe of God, while also providing optimism and comfort through the prophecies of redemption. It inspired us to strive for holiness and informed us how to pray and to approach God's presence.
And it set detailed laws, practices and traditions for us forever.

See also:

How has the Hebrew Bible influenced Western society?

What is the history of the Hebrew Bible?

Answer 7

The "Old Testament" is part of Judaism only in the original Hebrew. All translations, without exception, range from lacking to deliberately misleading.

The Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) is important because it tells the history of the ancient Israelites, as well as giving us the teachings of such prophets as Moses, Isaiah and Jeremiah, the stories of kings like David and Saul, and the ethics and beliefs of the Jewish religion.Our tradition is that the Hebrew Bible is from God (Exodus 24:12), given to us to provide knowledge, guidance, inspiration, awe and reverence, advice, law, comfort, history and more. It is the basis of Judaism. It crystallized, strengthened and codified our beliefs; insured our awareness and knowledge of our identity and history; and provided powerful impetus to be ethical.
It made us stand in awe of God, while also providing optimism and comfort through the prophecies of redemption. It inspired us to strive for holiness and informed us how to pray and to approach God's presence.
And it set detailed laws, practices and traditions for us forever.

See also the Related Links.

Link: Israelite prophecy

Link: How has the Hebrew Bible influenced Western society?

Link: What is the history of the Hebrew Bible?

Answer 8

It is the word of God (Exodus 24:12).

It contains the history and pedigree of the Jews, their title-deed to the Holy Land, and their laws, attitudes and morals.