Jewish Beliefs about the Torah (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

What is the Torah?

• The Torah is an important text and refers to the first five books of Moses:

  • Genesis

  • Exodus

  • Leviticus

  • Numbers

  • Deuteronomy

• The Torah, which includes the Laws, is the first section of the Tenakh

• The Torah contains the basis of all of the Jewish teachings and guidance on how to live a good Jewish life

• Jewish people believe they have a special responsibility to follow G-d’s laws or commandments (called mitzvot in Hebrew) because of the covenants they have made with him

• Maimonides, an influential rabbi, compiled a list of the 613 mitzvot because he wanted to provide a summary of Jewish law

  • This list is in the Sefer Madda, or Book of Knowledge, which is found within the Mishneh Torah

    • The Sefer Madda explains that the foundation of everything is G-d and that, therefore, moral principles should also originate from G-d

Why is the Torah a source of authority within Judaism?

• Orthodox Jews regard the Torah as the central revelation from G-d given to Moses on Mount Sinai in its final form

  • They believe it is as relevant to life today as it was on the day it was given

  • They try to keep the commandments set out in the Torah according to every detail and without changing anything

• Reform Jews also regard the Torah to be ultimately based on the central revelation from G-d

  • However, they do not consider the Torah to have been given to Moses at Sinai in its final form

  • The belief is that it was written by humans over a long period of time, based on their experiences with G-d and other human beings

  • Since humans formulated the Torah and adapted it to changing circumstances, it may contain contradictions and inconsistencies

The Torah as a revelation from G-d

• The Torah is believed to be the Word of G-d, directly revealed to Moses by G-d on Mount Sinai

  • The Torah contains G-d’s laws, teachings and instructions for life

    • Most Jews view these as divine and perfect

  • The significance of the Torah means that it is central to Jewish life

    • It guides moral decisions, religious practices and daily behaviour

    • It is the source of the 613 mitzvot (commandments)

    • It is studied regularly in yeshivot (Jewish schools) and synagogues

  • The Torah is also the foundation of worship within Judaism

    • It is read publicly in synagogue services, especially on Shabbat and festivals

    • It is treated with great respect, handwritten on scrolls, kept in the Ark and never touched directly

  • The Torah is also responsible for uniting the Jewish community

    • Shared beliefs and values from the Torah connect Jews worldwide

    • This is celebrated during Simchat Torah, when the annual reading cycle ends and begins again

How is the Torah a source of moral principles?

• The Torah contains 613 laws, and these are the mitzvot

  • There are 248 positive mitzvot, which explain what Jews should do

    • These rules are known as mitzvot aseh

  • There are 365 negative mitzvot, which explain what Jews should not do

    • These rules are known as mitzvot ta’aseh

• Alternatively, the mitzvot can be divided according to their purpose

  • Ritual mitzvot explain what Jews should or should not do to avoid offending G-d, and they cover areas such as worship and festivals

    • These mitzvot form a personal covenant between a Jewish person and G-d

    • The first four of the Ten Commandments are the most important of the ritual mitzvot

  • Moral mitzvot explain how Jews should act when dealing with other people

    • They help Jews to live as a community in a way that G-d finds acceptable

    • The Ten Commandments are important mitzvot as they are the basis for moral behaviour

• Some laws are judgements from G-d, for example, “you shall not steal”

  • These are known as mishpatim

How do views of the Torah impact Jewish life?

• Jews believe the Torah was revealed to Moses by G-d on Mount Sinai

• It is seen as a direct link between G-d and the Jewish people

  • The Torah guides belief, behaviour and worship and provides rules for:

    • Prayer and worship

    • Dietary laws (kashrut)

    • Festivals and Shabbat

    • Ethical behaviour (e.g. honesty, charity)

  • The Torah is also central to synagogue and community life

    • It is read regularly during synagogue services

    • It is stored in the Ark (Aron Kodesh) and treated with reverence

    • Simchat Torah celebrates completing the reading cycle

  • The Torah also guides Jewish identity

    • It shapes Jewish education, values and customs

    • It also connects Jews worldwide through shared teachings and traditions