Why should the torah be read?

Answer 1

Jews read the Torah because people who were inspired by God wrote it so that is how they know how God wants them to live their lives.

• Answer 2

Reading (studying; learning) the Torah is commanded by God (Deuteronomy ch.11 and other passages). Its regularly-scheduled formal reading in synagogue services is a decree dating back to Moses (Maimonides, Laws of Prayer 12:1). 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.

Answer 2

The Torah was given by G-d to the Jews at Mt Sinai. Millions of Jews all heard the voice of G-d. This national revelation is the 'official' start of Judaism. No other religion began with such a mass audience.

Traditional Jewish belief is that 'everything' can be found in the Torah. It is not just a book that one can read, understand, and take at face value. The Torah can be understood on many different levels. Jewish scholars spend hours in Yeshiva studying and debating the text.

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Answer 3

It is one of the fundamental books of their faith. It is the record of the origins of Judaism, and of their historic relationship with God. It contains God's laws for them, covering such matters as food and property, crime and punishment, marriage, citizenship and treatment of others, both fellow believers and foreigners. It provides the dates and details/form of their religious festivals. It has the genealogy of their ancient ancestors.

It shows their roots, right back to mankind's creation. One cannot know what Judaism is without knowing the Torah.

Answer 4

Reading (studying; learning) the Torah is commanded by God (Deuteronomy ch.11 and other passages). Its regularly-scheduled formal reading in synagogue services is a decree dating back to Moses (Maimonides, Laws of Prayer 12:1).

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; 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 have various reasons. Some (such as the Passover) serve to reenact or remember 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 and just 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).

Some examples of the commands:

• Putting on Tefillin (phylacteries) in the morning
  

Link: The Tefillin

• Saying the Shema-prayer

Link: The Shema

• Sitting in the sukkah during Sukkot
  

Link: The Sukkah-booth

• Avoiding leavened products in Passover
  

Link: Passover

• Keeping kosher
  

Link: Kosher-laws

• Not eating on Yom Kippur
  

Link: Yom Kippur

• Not working on the Shabbat
  

Link: The Shabbat

• Paying workers on time
  
• Marital rights for one's wife
• The Ten Commandments

Link: The Ten Commandments

• Helping someone who is in danger
  
• Counting the days of the Omer
  
• Returning lost objects when feasible
  
• Wearing the tzitzith-garment
  

Link: What are Tzitzith

• Affixing a mezuzah to the door
  

Link: What is a mezuzah

• Learning Torah
  

Link: The Torah

• Keeping our rules of ethics

Link: Jewish ethics

• Marrying and having children
  
• Educating one's children in Judaism
  
• Giving tzedakah (charity)
  
• Honoring one's parents
  

And many more.

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 other Related Links.

Link: What are the teachings, practices, principles and beliefs of Judaism?

Link: What is life like for Jews?

Link: More about the Hebrew Bible

Link: More about the Talmud