The Hebrew Bible
Teaching were first passed down orally and were later written down on separate scrolls before they were all joined together in 200 BCE to what is called, the Tanakh.
The Tanakh is dived in to three sections. The Torah (the teachings), Nevi'im (the prophets), and the Ketuvim (the writings).
The Tanakh is dived in to three sections. The Torah (the teachings), Nevi'im (the prophets), and the Ketuvim (the writings).
The Torah |
The Nevi'im |
The Torah includes the creation story, Adam and even, Noah, early ancestors of hebrew people and it introduces Moses and his brother Aaron. It also includes laws about daily conducts and rituals. The Torah is divided into 54 weekly portions and they have always been the center piece of the Sabbath morning service. Its stories, laws, and poetry also stand at the center of Jewish culture. Traditionally the torah has been seen as a document given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai or as a document completed by Moses during his trek. The Torah includes sources that date back to 1000 BCE the period of King David and King Solomon, from the 7th century BCE during the reign of King Josiah and from the 6th century BCE during the Babylonian exile (myjewishlearning.com).
Books in the Torah:
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The Nevi'im is named after those who speak in the name of God to the jewish people.
It is divided in two. The first is the Former Prophets. This includes the history of the Israelite Kingdom. The second is called the Latter Prophets, and this has a strong visionary and moral tone. "A kingdom, a capital, and a temple are built and eventually destroyed . At the end of Nevi'im prophets who experienced the exile teach a renewed monotheism to a chastened Israel" (myjewishlearning.com). The Nevi'im is the story of political and prophetic leaders, supporters of God's covenant and their battles against the paganism of their neighbor and against the Israelites themselves. The voices heard in the Former prophets (Nevi'im Rishonim) is a nationalist voice of heroic leaders like Joshua and David. In the Latter Prophets (Nevi'im Aharonim) its a covenant voice that tells the fortunes of leaders and the notion of their fidelity to God. Books in the Nevi'im:
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The Ketuvim
It contains short stories, proverbs, reflections of life, hymn lyrics, and poetry. It differs from the Torah and Nevi'im because the Ketuvim are direct experiences from the people. There is a philosophical exploration of the wisest path in life, of God's goodness and justice (myjewishlearning.com). Most of the individual books were finalized in Judea during the period of Persian and Hellenistic rule (5th-2nd century BCE). The Ketuvim opens with Psalms. The poems include liturgies for public celebrations, individual meditations and expressions of awe at creation. Pslams is told in a personal voice expressing peril, doubt, and celebration. The book of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiaste are what most scholars call the "wisdom tradition" their characterisitcs include observation of nature and the world as the source of understanding, and the use of reason to determine the best course for human happiness. Ecclesiastes, Esther, Song of songs, Ruth, and Lamentations are known as the Hamesh Megillot (Five Scrolls). They are chanted publicly in the synogogue on Sukkot, Purim, Passorver, Shavuot , and Tisha B'Av.
Books in Ketuvim:
Books in Ketuvim:
- Tehillim (Psalms)
- Mishle (Proverbs)
- Iyyov (Job)
- Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs)
- Ruth
- Ekhah (Lamentations)
- Qohelet (Ecclesiastes)
- Ester (Esther)
- Daniel
- Ezra-Nehemyah (Ezra-Nehemiah)
- Divre Hayamim (Chronicles)
Source:
1. Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religion: Traditions, Challenges, and Change. 6th ed. New York: McGraw Hill. 2012. Print.
2. My Jewish Learning. http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ website
1. Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religion: Traditions, Challenges, and Change. 6th ed. New York: McGraw Hill. 2012. Print.
2. My Jewish Learning. http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ website