The Torah - the Sacred Scriptures of the Jews

Judaism's Written Law and the Controversy Surrounding its Origin

Oct 24, 2009

The first five books of the Tanakh, called the Torah, are considered by many Jews to have been divinely inspired through Moses; but how did they come into existence?

Anyone who has attended a synagogue service on Shabbat will have noticed that the Torah is the centerpiece of Jewish tradition and observance. At the height of the religious ceremony the Torah, dressed in ornate finery, is taken out of the ark and presented before the congregation.

Later, a section of the Torah is read out loud and blessings are said in its presence. It holds a pivotal role in bar mitzvahs, in weddings, and in many other life-affirming ceremonies. It is the symbol of Jewish life, and of the cohesiveness of the Jewish community.

What is the Torah?

The Torah (often referred to as the Pentateuch), is a collection of the first five books of the Tanakh (the Jewish Bible), and tell the history of the ancient Jews. It is often referred to as Judaism’s Written Law, and forms the basis for much of the expository writings that followed and became part of the Talmud, or the Oral Law.

The Books of the Torah are referred to in Hebrew by the first word of each book: Beresheit, Shemot, Vayikra, Bamidbar, and Devarim. Their corresponding names in English, on the other hand, reflect the theme of each book and are derived from the Greek: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

The word “Torah” originates from the Hebrew root “to teach.” People often refer to the Torah as the Written Law or the Teachings of Judaism.

The Origins of the Five Books of the Pentateuch

The Jewish sages say that the Torah was divinely inspired so that it would be passed down through Jewish generations. Orthodox scholars state that Moses received the Torah from God, although there are differing opinions as to how and when he would have received the information that is contained in the Torah.

Some rabbis state that the Torah, along with the Talmud and other sacred writings, were received by Moses on Mount Sinai. Other Talmudic writings suggest that the Pentateuch was transcribed by Moses during the Jew’s forty years in the desert. The Zohar, writings pertaining to the mystical Kabbalah, maintains that the Torah existed prior to the creation of the world.

The discussion over the origin of these sacred texts continues today, and has been a longstanding debate not only between Orthodox Conservative and Reform scholars, but between rabbis within the individual congregations themselves. The opinion of the third-century Palestinian scholar Rabbi bar Nafcha differs considerably from that of the twelfth-century French scholar, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki (Rashi).

Later scholars have noted some technical difficulties with the premise that the Torah was received and passed on by Moses. Some academic analysis suggests that the texts were written no earlier than the time of the Persian Empire, as much as 1,000 years later than the Talmud has suggested. More contemporary analysis puts forth the hypothesis that the Torah is a compendium of independent writings that were compiled long after Moses’ death.

What Jews Believe About the Torah?

The historical and spiritual viewpoints within the Jewish community are as varied as the theses that have been supplied by its scholars. Many Reform Jews believe that the Torah was written by a number of authors and question the concept of a divinely inspired doctrine.

The 21st-century author, W. Gunther Plaut, states in his introduction to The Torah, A Modern Commentary, that, “While God is not the author of the Torah in the fundamentalist sense, the Torah is a book about humanity’s understanding of and experience with God.” He goes on to explain that “The Torah tradition testifies to a people of extraordinary spiritual sensitivity. God is not the author of the text, the people are; but God’s voice may be heard through theirs if we listen with open minds.”

For Humanistic Jews, the Torah is considered a document of significant historical worth, but, in the words of Rabbi Peter H. Schweitzer, “While Humanistic Jews preserve time-honored lessons of Torah and Talmud, we also obtain equally important and compelling teachings from modern literature and science that address contemporary situations and challenges. We draw lessons from the collective experiences of the Jewish people and of people universally. We also draw lessons from the experiences of our own families and personal lives.”

But just like the ancient sages, 21st-century Jews vary widely in their viewpoints about the Torah, its origins and its authorship. The Torah, with its complex stories of human nature, remains at the heart of Jews' faith and heritage, and the centerpiece to the ever-changing dynamics of Jewish identity.

The copyright of the article The Torah - the Sacred Scriptures of the Jews in Torah & Talmud Studies is owned by Jan Lee. Permission to republish The Torah - the Sacred Scriptures of the Jews in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.