Torá

The Torah, sometimes rendered as Torá in certain languages, is the central sacred text of Judaism. It comprises the first five books of the Hebrew Bible: Genesis (Bereishit), Exodus (Shemot), Leviticus (Vayikra), Numbers (Bemidbar), and Deuteronomy (Devarim). The Hebrew term Torah means “instruction,” “law,” or “teaching.” The Torah contains both narrative material—creation, the patriarchs and matriarchs, the Exodus from Egypt—and a legal corpus outlining commandments (mitzvot), ritual practices, civil and moral laws, and covenantal themes.

Traditionally, Judaism attributes the authorship of the Torah to Moses, who is said to have received it from God at Sinai. Modern scholarship, however, generally regards the Torah as the product of multiple authors and editors over centuries, though it remains a single, authoritative scriptural work within Jewish tradition. The Torah is part of the Tanakh, and it is complemented by the Oral Torah—the body of interpretations, legal decisions, and teachings later compiled in texts such as the Mishnah and Talmud.

Transmission and text: For centuries the Torah was transmitted in handwritten scrolls and later printed editions. The Masoretic Text forms the basis of most modern Jewish Bibles; ancient manuscripts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls show textual variation but largely reflect the standard tradition.

Practice and usage: In Jewish worship, a Torah scroll is read in public during synagogue services, notably on Shabbat and on festivals. The weekly portions, or parashot, divide the five books across the annual cycle in most communities. The cantillation marks guide reading, and the scroll is treated with special reverence.

Significance: The Torah shapes Jewish law, ethics, prayer, and study. It is translated and studied worldwide and serves as a foundational reference in Jewish life and scholarship.