The Tanakh Scrolls

Judaism’s Religious Texts

Judaism’s Religious Texts

Judaism’s religious texts embody not only Judaism’s religious precepts, but also the historical, cultural, and social heritage of the Jewish people.

Judaism is the oldest of the Abrahamic religions, and its primary sacred text is the Tanach, or the Jewish Bible, which is composed of the Pentateuch (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi’im) and the Writings (Ketuvim). Tanach is an acronym for these three books.

The importance of Judaism’s sacred texts extends far beyond their religious significance. These ancient documents embody not only Judaism’s religious precepts, but also the historical, cultural and social heritage of the Jewish people. In Israel, where attitudes towards tradition range from the ultra-orthodox to the secular, sacred texts carry a variety of meanings – from a spiritual, moral and practical guide to everyday life, to a historical and cultural wealth which is critically examined and studied.

Oral Torah development

Oral Torah development

Jewish Religious Texts

Main article: Outline of Judaism’s Religious Books

Torah

Written Torah

Oral Torah

Rabbinic literature

Rabbinic literature

The Midrash

Midrash

Later works by category

Major codes of Jewish law

Halakha

Jewish thought, mysticism and ethics

Liturgy

Photographic reproduction of the Great Isaiah Scroll, the best preserved of the biblical scrolls found at Qumran. It contains the entire Book of Isaiah in Hebrew, apart from some small damaged parts. This manuscript was probably written by a scribe of the Jewish sect of the Essenes around the second century BC. It is therefore over a thousand years older than the oldest Masoretic manuscripts.

Photographic reproduction of the Great Isaiah Scroll, the best preserved of the biblical scrolls found at Qumran. It contains the entire Book of Isaiah in Hebrew, apart from some small damaged parts. This manuscript was probably written by a scribe of the Jewish sect of the Essenes around the second century BC. It is therefore over a thousand years older than the oldest Masoretic manuscripts.

Articles on Jewish Religious Books