The-Word-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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תּוֹרָה
The word Torah - תּוֹרָה comes from …
the ancient Hebrew root יָרָה - ‘Yara’..
With Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
For interest, the study below was first written by me well over 23 years ago, and shared it with several Rabbis, who loved it and used it with my permission. This version has only very slight changes, but it is mostly as was written.
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The word Torah - תּוֹרָה comes from the ancient Hebrew root יָרָה - ‘yod-resh-hey’ - thus it is ‘Yara’, meaning ‘aimed’ ‘to guide’, ‘to teach’, or ‘to instruct’.
The word יָרָה - ‘Yarah’ can be found in the following chapters; Exod 15:4, Exod 19:13, 1 Sam
20:20, Ps 11:2, Ps 37:14, Ps 64:4, Ps 64:8, Lam 3:12, Lam 3:13 and Hab 3:11.
Etymology
and Literal Meaning:
As we have seen above that in Hebrew, Torah - תּוֹרָה - is derived from the root יָרָה ‘yara’, which in its causative form conveys the idea of ‘directing’ or ‘guiding’ someone toward a goal or proper path, very much like shooting an arrow straight to a target or pointing the way literally, it can be understood as ‘instruction’, ‘teaching’, or ‘direction’, emphasizing guidance rather than mere legal obligation . The noun form ‘Torah’ represents what is ‘flowed’ or ‘imparted’ by a ‘teacher’ - ‘moreh’, whether as ‘moral guidance’, ‘instruction’, or ‘law’.
Historical
and Religious Context:
Originally, the word ‘Torah’ was
not a proper noun but a general term for what we now know for ‘instruction’ or
‘teaching’, which could refer to a single directive or a broader set of
teachings. Over time, it became associated specifically with the ‘first
five books of our blessed Hebrew Tanakh, also known as which is also known as
the ‘Five Books of Moses’. In our Hebraic tradition, the beloved
‘Torah’ encompassed only the ‘Written Torah’ (the text itself) with
its blessed teachings passed down through all our generations!
Broader
Interpretations:
While the “Torah” is often translated into English as “Law”, this can be misleading, as Torah is more accurately understood as guidance of our “history” or “instruction for living or lives in אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim”, rather than a rigid set of rules. The term has also been used to describe the entire spectrum of Hebrew teachings, including “ethical”, “ritual”, and “spiritual instruction”, reflecting its role as a “comprehensive guide for life”.
In summary:
יָרָה - ‘Yārā’ means to shoot or to instruct. The word Torah is derived from this root and means ‘instruction’, not merely ‘law’. As we have seen above there are many verses that use יָרָה in its instructional sense, especially in priestly and wisdom contexts.
Other verses preserve the original physical meaning of “shooting,” which enriches the metaphor of divine guidance
Other verses preserve the original physical meaning of “shooting,” which enriches the metaphor of Divine guidance.
The title “Torah” fundamentally means ‘guidance’ or ‘instruction’, originating as shown above from the Hebrew root ‘Yara’, and its usage evolved from ‘teaching’ to our blessed ‘Sacred Texts’ and ‘teachings central to our beloved Hebrew faith!
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A
General Word Study re the Name ‘Torah’:
To truly understand the scriptural concept of
‘law’, or ‘teaching’, we must look at the word through the eyes of an ancient
Hebrew storyteller. In Western thought, ‘law’ often evokes images of a
courtroom, a judge’s gavel, or a list of restrictive rules. However, the Hebrew
word Torah (תּוֹרָה) comes from that
‘vibrant’, ‘active root’, being that word: ‘Yarah’ - יָרָה.
By looking at how this root behaves in days of ancient life, let us look at a three-part lesson on what ‘Divine instruction’ is truly meant to be!
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Part
1: The Archer’s Aim (Direction, Not Restriction):
In its earliest, most literal sense, יָרָה - ‘Yarah’ was an archery term, meaning an arrow being ‘shot’, or a stone thrown toward a specific target.
The Analogy: Imagine an archer standing before a target. The archer does not shoot randomly into the air. They pull back the bowstring, take careful aim, and release the arrow so that it flies straight to the bull’s eye.
The Lesson: When our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim gave us the Torah, He is not trying to restrict human freedom. He is acting as the Divine archer. He takes the arrow of truth, aims it directly at the human heart, and releases it. The instruction is designed to help us hit the target of a meaningful, ‘righteous life’ instead of wandering aimlessly in the wilderness.
Part
2: The Teacher’s Finger (Guidance, Not Judgment):
As the language developed, this physical
action of shooting an arrow became a metaphor for communication. From Yarah, we the Hebrews derived the word Moreh
(מוֹרֶה), which means of course ‘teacher’.
The Analogy: Think of a guide standing at a literal crossroads. When a traveller asks for directions, the guide raises a hand and points a finger down the correct path. This act of pointing out the way is ‘Yarah’.
The Lesson: A teacher of the Torah or a parent who ‘teaches’ - ‘Yoreh’ is simply pointing out the path of life. The Torah is a blessed signpost. It points out where the hidden pitfalls are and shows us the exact trail which we need to follow leading to ‘peace’, ‘safety’, and a faithful ‘community at large’.
Part
3: The Autumn Rain (Life, Not Dry Ritual):
The final beautiful dimension of this root
connects back to the land itself. In the
The Analogy:
After a long, scorching summer, the ground in
The Lesson: Divine instruction is not supposed to be a ‘dusty’, ‘dry textbook of rituals’. It is designed to act like the early rain, falling from heaven into our lives to soften our hardened hearts, allowing ‘seeds of love’, ‘justice’, and ‘kindness’ to deeply take root in our lives and flourish!
For interest: I am very sad to say that countless Hebrews, now called Jews
(Judeans) have lost their love of our original faith as rabbis have sadly
changed our new version of their faith and have gone far astray, thanks to the
second century completed mystical ‘Zohar’, which later became part of the
occultic ‘Shafad’ - ‘Tzfat’
based ‘Kabbalah’, and later it even entered into the ‘Tulmud’ which was
entirely created by Kabbalistic rabbis. The truth is
Elohim very clearly stated that His blessed Word, and thus the Law based in our
beloved Tanakh can not be ever be ‘added to’, or ‘diminished’, yet our
so-called sages have done the complete opposite, and have gone against His
blessed Word. No wonder we ended no longer as Hebrews or Israelites, but
eventually the rabbinic created new faith that became known as ‘Rabbinic
Judaism’ or later we became ‘Jewish’ or ‘Jews’. However, we who are still
Hebrews and Israelites hailing from the 12 tribes, and not just the couple of
tribes who lived in
If you are reading this, please we need to return to the faith which we learned from our beloved Torah/Tanakh, for that is our only Elohim based Sacred Scriptures! Everything else was created by men!
“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).
“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith יְהוִה הַצְּבָאוֹת - the LORD of Ha’tz’va’ot (Hosts)” Malachi 3:7. (JPS-1917).
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Summary Checklist for Reflection:
Our beloved Torah is certainly not a heavy burden; it is an arrow aimed to help us to succeed and be the very best ‘faithful’ and ‘obedient Hebrews’ and of course we should be! אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s Guidance is not a trap; it is a finger pointing you toward the best path. Truth is not a desert; it is the ‘refreshing rain’ that makes our life ‘fruitful’!
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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!
Enter ...