What is Torah Study?
In its narrowest sense it is the study of the Torah itself, the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. There is also a broader meaning of Torah study that includes the entire Bible, such as the Books of Prophets and the collection known as Writings (Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, I Chronicles, II Chronicles).
The classic term for the Hebrew Bible is Tanakh; the word is formed from an acronym of the three sections: Torah (the Five Books of Moses); Neviim (Prophets); and Ketuvim (Writings). Some people employ Pentateuch (from the Greek word for "five") when referring to the Five Books of Moses. Some use the term to describe the entire body of Jewish law and commentary, including midrash, Talmud, and halakhah.
In contemporary Jewish life, Torah study is often associated with a class on Shabbat morning led by a rabbi or some other person knowledgeable in traditional Jewish texts. However, Torah study can also be a daily practice, in the same way that prayer can be a daily practice. Jewish tradition encourages us to spend some time studying Torah each day. This can happen at a synagogue, a community center, at home, on a bus, in a subway, on the phone, or in an online study group.
Torah Study (520) 512-8500 office@orchadash-tucson.org http://www.orchadash-tucson.org
Congregation Or Chadash
3939 N Alvenon Way Tucson AZ 85718
