I hear people speak about "Torah study" and "the power of Torah," etc. But I'm not clear what exactly they are referring to with the term "Torah.” Is that more than the Five Books of Moses?
The word "Torah" literally translates as law or teaching.
Torah is the Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Each book is one-fifth of the Torah. In Hebrew, this is collectively called the Chumash (literally: fifth).
It is called the Five Books of Moses because G-d dictated the text to Moses, who then wrote it down. Moses also plays a central role in the Torah.
Sometimes you will see the Five Books referred to by the Greek word, Pentateuch, which means "Five Books." ("Pent" means five, and "teuch" means book.)
The second, more colloquial use of the term "Torah" includes the entire body of rabbinic literature - the Five Books of Moses, the Prophets and Writings, the Midrash, the Talmud (the compilation of rabbinic teachings explaining the biblical commandments), and even any teaching today based on these sources.
In this regard, Torah is the "constitution" of the Jewish people, covering the totality of law and lore, including lifecycle, business and medical ethics, holidays, family life, etc.
So when someone says, "I'm going to a Torah class," or shares a "Devar Torah" (word of Torah), it is usually meant in the broader sense, not the Five Books in particular.
Featured at Aish.com
Most Popular Questions
Who was the Ethiopian (Cushite) wife that Moses took (Numbers 12:1)? Is she the same wife as Jethro’s daughter Zipporah whom Moses earlier married... »
It has always bothered me why all of the first-borns in Egypt had to suffering in that final, devastating plague. There is no mention in the verses... »
I understand that God does not have a physical being, but only a spiritual being. What I don't understand is how any entity without any physical... »
Why was man permitted to eat meat after the Flood (Genesis 9:2-3)? Does the fact that at his creation man was not allowed to eat meat indicate that... »
I had always heard that Abraham recognized God when he was three years old. Was that really the case? How much could a three-year-old possibly... »
I’m wondering what happened to the House of David. After the end of the Kingdom of Judah was there any memory what happened to King David’s... »
I have several frustrating issues going on in life today, as well as a relative who is really not well. I’d like to recite Tehillim. Is there a... »
Most Popular at aish.com