All-About-the-Torah
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout
this site I may use any of three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), three brilliant versions, However, the
JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah =
History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical
books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or
Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history
of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some alterations
or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), having been corrected like it once was pre
the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Let us first read Proverbs 3:17-18: (All verses are from the JPS-1917 version).
“Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and happy is every one that holdest her fast. It’s ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace”.
In its broadest sense, the blessed Torah is generally used
to refer to a five books of our beloved Hebrew Scriptures, being the Books of:
1. בְּרֵאשִׁית - Bereshit - Genesis.
2. שְׁמוֹת -
Shemot - Exodus.
3. וַיִּקְרָא - Vayikra - Leviticus.
4. בְּמִדְבַּר - Be’midbar - Numbers.
5. דְּבָרִים - Devarim - Deuteronomy.
These five books make up the history of us, the Hebrew people, who were named so because Abraham was the first named ‘a Hebrew’ and we all come from him. These ancient Torah stories touch upon ‘science’, ‘history’, ‘philosophy’, ‘ritual’ and ‘ethics’. Included are stories of ‘individuals’, ‘families’, ‘wars’, ‘slavery and ‘so much more’. Virtually every subject was covered for our Torah. Running through these stories is the unique lens through which the Hebrews would come to view our world and our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim!
We cannot talk about the Torah without revealing something about ‘revelation’. By ‘revelation’, I do mean ways in how אֱלֹהִים - Elohim was revealed to people. The basic difference between our Orthodox faith and some other Hebrew congregations may vary in certain ways. The Orthodox view is that everything in the Torah (the material in the Five Books of Moses was revealed by אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. The non-Orthodox view is that the Torah contains the work of many people about אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. The truth is that a great deal of time later much was written by countless rabbis. However, none of these individuals were divinely inspired. The Torah contains; 1. The words from אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, 2. The Word of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
Interpreting Torah:
Throughout most of our Hebraic history, the Torah functioned
as “the Law” for Hebrews. It’s Commandments and the
interpretation of them regulated both Hebrew personal, and communal life. The
calendar was set according to the Festivals and the Sacred Holy Days as
prescribed by the Torah. Regulations concerning ‘public safety’, ‘diet’,
‘marriage’, ‘divorce’ and the ‘rearing of children’ were all found in the
Torah. A interpretation of ‘diagnosing an illness’ may
have worked thousands of years ago but would not in today’s scientifically
advanced world. No matter what, all our Laws remain in full strength today,
although some Laws relate to different people, pending on their working lives.
The great Rabbi Maimonides continued to process of correctly interpreting the Torah. Today discoveries come from archeology, and linguistic analysis contribute to our understanding of Torah.
How We Read Torah:
The Torah is divided into fifty-four sections, each one
called a ‘sidrah’ or ‘parasha’. Each
week, on Shabbat another portion is read (some weeks have a double portion). In
most synagogues, the Torah and Haftarah portions are chanted.
Most synagogues have at least one Torah scroll or multiple
scrolls, from which the Torah is read during services. It is
handwritten on parchment made from the specially treated of skin of a kosher
animal, and the letters are inscribed with a quill pen by a specially trained
scribe called a sofer.
The cycle of Torah reading is completed within one year. On the holiday of Simchat Torah, the last and first verses of Torah are read as the cycle continues. This is a joyous observance, often accompanied by dancing and music.
Studying the Torah:
For our Hebraic people, the study of Torah never ends. Each
year, as we read the sacred text again, it can be as if we are reading it for
the first time. Each encounter with sacred text offers the possibility of new
understandings. Some meet during the week, while others convene on Shabbat
morning. Some rabbis lead Torah study in business offices.
There is absolutely no doubt, everything you want to know is found within our Blessed Torah!” The study of Torah can be both an ‘intellectual adventure’ and a ‘spiritual journey’. It will enhance as its adds greatly to your life!
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Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located
down the page!
This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following through a number of
our prophets...
“The More Torah,
the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom =
Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD
of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat,
as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and
continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before
food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
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