https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-article.xml /articles/essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-article xml article The Tanakh in One Article Tanakh is the Hebrew Bible: Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim. Twenty-four books, one canon, the foundation of everything else. The New Jew /index.xml Torah & Texts /sections/torah-texts.xml The Tanakh in One Article /articles/essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-article.xml https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-article https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-article.json <_xml>https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-article.xml
essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-article The Tanakh in One Article Tanakh is the Hebrew Bible: Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim. Twenty-four books, one canon, the foundation of everything else. Summary. The Tanakh is the Hebrew Bible, named for the initial letters of its three sections: Torah (the Five Books of Moses), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings). The traditional count is twenty-four books (the Christian Old Testament counts the same material as thirty-nine). The Torah is the foundation; the Nevi’im are the prophetic literature; the Ketuvim include the Psalms, Job, the Five Megillot, and the historical books of Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles. The Torah is read in its entirety in synagogue each year. essential essentials tanakh bible torah 2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z 548 2
torah-texts Torah & Texts
https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/the-tanakh-in-one-article-mubrne4w-3293dcd0.png https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/the-tanakh-in-one-article-crop-mubs4kkd-de59eaee-large.png https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/the-tanakh-in-one-article-crop-mubs4kkd-de59eaee-thumb.png The Tanakh in One Article summary Summary. The [Tanakh](/glossary.xml#letter-T) is the Hebrew Bible, named for the initial letters of its three sections: [Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-T) (the Five Books of Moses), [Nevi’im](/glossary.xml#letter-N) (Prophets), and [Ketuvim](/glossary.xml#letter-K) (Writings). The traditional count is twenty-four books (the Christian Old Testament counts the same material as thirty-nine). The Torah is the foundation; the Nevi’im are the prophetic literature; the Ketuvim include the Psalms, Job, the [Five Megillot](/glossary.xml#letter-M), and the historical books of Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles. The Torah is read in its entirety in synagogue each year. Summary. The Tanakh is the Hebrew Bible, named for the initial letters of its three sections: Torah (the Five Books of Moses), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings). The traditional count is twenty-four books (the Christian Old Testament counts the same material as thirty-nine). The Torah is the foundation; the Nevi’im are the prophetic literature; the Ketuvim include the Psalms, Job, the Five Megillot, and the historical books of Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles. The Torah is read in its entirety in synagogue each year. heading Torah (The Five Books of Moses) Torah (The Five Books of Moses) paragraph [Bereshit](/glossary.xml#letter-B) (Genesis) — creation, the patriarchs, the descent into Egypt. Bereshit (Genesis) — creation, the patriarchs, the descent into Egypt. paragraph [Shemot](/glossary.xml#letter-S) (Exodus) — the Exodus, the giving of the Torah at Sinai, the building of the [Mishkan](/glossary.xml#letter-M). Shemot (Exodus) — the Exodus, the giving of the Torah at Sinai, the building of the Mishkan. paragraph [Vayikra](/glossary.xml#letter-V) (Leviticus) — the laws of the priests, the offerings, the holiness code. Vayikra (Leviticus) — the laws of the priests, the offerings, the holiness code. paragraph [Bamidbar](/glossary.xml#letter-B) (Numbers) — the wandering in the wilderness, the rebellions, the census. Bamidbar (Numbers) — the wandering in the wilderness, the rebellions, the census. paragraph [Devarim](/glossary.xml#letter-D) (Deuteronomy) — Moshe’s final discourses; the recapitulation of the Law before entry into the Land. Devarim (Deuteronomy) — Moshe’s final discourses; the recapitulation of the Law before entry into the Land. heading Nevi’im (Prophets) Nevi’im (Prophets) paragraph Eight books traditionally counted (the Twelve Minor Prophets are counted as one): Yehoshua, Shoftim, Shmuel, Melachim (the Former Prophets, often called the historical books), Yeshayahu, Yirmeyahu, Yechezkel, and [Trei Asar](/glossary.xml#letter-T) (the Twelve: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi). The [haftarah](/glossary.xml#letter-H), the prophetic portion read in synagogue after the Torah reading each [Shabbat](/glossary.xml#letter-S), comes from Nevi’im. Eight books traditionally counted (the Twelve Minor Prophets are counted as one): Yehoshua, Shoftim, Shmuel, Melachim (the Former Prophets, often called the historical books), Yeshayahu, Yirmeyahu, Yechezkel, and Trei Asar (the Twelve: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi). The haftarah, the prophetic portion read in synagogue after the Torah reading each Shabbat, comes from Nevi’im. heading Ketuvim (Writings) Ketuvim (Writings) paragraph Eleven books: [Tehillim](/glossary.xml#letter-T) (Psalms), [Mishlei](/glossary.xml#letter-M) (Proverbs), [Iyov](/glossary.xml#letter-I) (Job), the Five Megillot ([Shir HaShirim](/glossary.xml#letter-S), [Rut](/glossary.xml#letter-R), [Eichah](/glossary.xml#letter-E), [Kohelet](/glossary.xml#letter-K), Esther — each read on a specific holiday), Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Divrei Hayamim (Chronicles). Eleven books: Tehillim (Psalms), Mishlei (Proverbs), Iyov (Job), the Five Megillot (Shir HaShirim, Rut, Eichah, Kohelet, Esther — each read on a specific holiday), Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Divrei Hayamim (Chronicles). heading How the Torah Is Read How the Torah Is Read paragraph The Torah is divided into 54 [parshiyot](/glossary.xml#letter-P) (portions); one is read each Shabbat, with some weeks doubling parshiyot to complete the cycle in years that have fewer Shabbatot before [Simchat Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-S). The cycle resets on Simchat Torah, when the last verses of Devarim and the first verses of Bereshit are read in immediate succession — a graphic affirmation that the Torah has no end. See the companion Calendar.xlsx for the full parshah list and the Calendar chapter for the year’s rhythm. The Torah is divided into 54 parshiyot (portions); one is read each Shabbat, with some weeks doubling parshiyot to complete the cycle in years that have fewer Shabbatot before Simchat Torah. The cycle resets on Simchat Torah, when the last verses of Devarim and the first verses of Bereshit are read in immediate succession — a graphic affirmation that the Torah has no end. See the companion Calendar.xlsx for the full parshah list and the Calendar chapter for the year’s rhythm. heading Where Denominations Diverge Where Denominations Diverge paragraph All denominations accept the twenty-four-book canon. The full parshah is read every Shabbat in [Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-O) synagogues and throughout Israel; most American Conservative and [Reform](/glossary.xml#letter-R) congregations follow the modern [triennial cycle](/glossary.xml#letter-T) enacted by the Conservative movement's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards in 1988, which reads one third of each parshah each year and so completes the Torah every three years while still reaching the end of Devarim by Simchat Torah. The Christian “Old Testament” reorganizes and re-counts the same texts; the Catholic and Orthodox Christian canons additionally include the Apocrypha (Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, etc.), which Judaism does not include in its canon. All denominations accept the twenty-four-book canon. The full parshah is read every Shabbat in Orthodox synagogues and throughout Israel; most American Conservative and Reform congregations follow the modern triennial cycle enacted by the Conservative movement's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards in 1988, which reads one third of each parshah each year and so completes the Torah every three years while still reaching the end of Devarim by Simchat Torah. The Christian “Old Testament” reorganizes and re-counts the same texts; the Catholic and Orthodox Christian canons additionally include the Apocrypha (Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, etc.), which Judaism does not include in its canon. heading Sources Sources paragraph [Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a](https://www.sefaria.org/Bava_Batra.14b-15a) — the baraita on the order and authorship of the books of Tanakh. Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a — the baraita on the order and authorship of the books of Tanakh. paragraph [Mishnah Yadayim 3:5](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Yadayim.3.5) and [Tosefta Yadayim 2:6](https://www.sefaria.org/Tosefta_Yadayim.2.6) — on which books “defile the hands” (the technical criterion of canonicity). Mishnah Yadayim 3:5 and Tosefta Yadayim 2:6 — on which books “defile the hands” (the technical criterion of canonicity). paragraph [Rambam](/glossary.xml#letter-R), [Mishneh Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-M), [Hilchot Sefer Torah](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Tefillin,_Mezuzah_and_the_Torah_Scroll). Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Sefer Torah. paragraph [The Structure of Tanach](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4269745/jewish/The-Structure-of-Tanach.htm) — Chabad.org. The Structure of Tanach — Chabad.org. paragraph [Yearly Parsha (Torah Reading) Cycle](https://aish.com/yearly-parsha-torah-reading-cycle/) — Aish. Yearly Parsha (Torah Reading) Cycle — Aish. paragraph [The Tanakh](https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-tanakh) — Jewish Virtual Library. The Tanakh — Jewish Virtual Library. paragraph [Bava Batra 14.b (Steinsaltz elucidated Talmud)](https://steinsaltz-center.org/portal/library/Talmud/Bava%20Batra/chapter/14.b) — Steinsaltz Center. Bava Batra 14.b (Steinsaltz elucidated Talmud) — Steinsaltz Center. heading Further Reading Further Reading paragraph The Jewish Study Bible (Oxford), Second Edition. The Jewish Study Bible (Oxford), Second Edition. paragraph The [Steinsaltz](/glossary.xml#letter-A) Tanakh — [Chumash](/glossary.xml#letter-C), Nevi’im, Ketuvim. The Steinsaltz Tanakh — Chumash, Nevi’im, Ketuvim. paragraph The Koren Shalem Chumash with [Rashi](/glossary.xml#letter-R) and [Onkelos](/glossary.xml#letter-T). The Koren Shalem Chumash with Rashi and Onkelos. paragraph Robert Alter, The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary. Robert Alter, The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary. essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew Who is a Jew? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew.xml essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god What Does Judaism Teach About God? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god.xml essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife Do Jews Believe in an Afterlife? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife.xml essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus Why Do Jews Not Believe in Jesus? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus.xml going-deeper-deeper-facts-the-oral-torah-and-its-authority The Oral Torah and Its Authority deeper /articles/going-deeper-deeper-facts-the-oral-torah-and-its-authority.xml going-deeper-deeper-facts-pirkei-avot Pirkei Avot deeper /articles/going-deeper-deeper-facts-pirkei-avot.xml going-deeper-deeper-facts-midrash Midrash deeper /articles/going-deeper-deeper-facts-midrash.xml Adin Steinsaltz עדין שטיינזלץ Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz (1937–2020) produced a monumental Hebrew translation and commentary on the entire Babylonian Talmud, later rendered into English, opening the Talmud to a generation of learners without a yeshiva background. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Bamidbar בְּמִדְבַּר The fourth book of the Torah, called Numbers in English. The Hebrew name means 'in the wilderness,' where its narrative unfolds. Bereshit בְּרֵאשִׁית The first book of the Torah — Genesis — and the name of its first weekly portion. The word itself means 'in the beginning.' Chumash חֻמָּשׁ The Five Books of Moses in printed, bound form — from chamesh, 'five' — usually with translation and commentary, used to follow the Torah reading in synagogue. Devarim דְּבָרִים The fifth book of the Torah — Deuteronomy — consisting of Moshe's farewell addresses. The name means 'words.' Eichah אֵיכָה The book of Lamentations — the Bible's poetry of grief over Jerusalem's destruction, chanted by candlelight on Tisha B'Av. Its name is its first word: 'How…' Iyov אִיּוֹב The biblical book of Job — the Tanakh's searching confrontation with undeserved suffering, found in the Ketuvim (Writings). Ketuvim כְּתוּבִים The "Writings" — the third section of the Tanakh, including Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Five Megillot, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles. essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-article Kohelet קֹהֶלֶת The biblical book of Ecclesiastes — "vanity of vanities" — read on Sukkot; one of the Five Megillot. Mishkan מִשְׁכָּן Literally 'dwelling place' — the portable sanctuary the Israelites built and carried through the wilderness, the forerunner of the Temple in Jerusalem. Mishlei מִשְׁלֵי The book of Proverbs — the Tanakh's collection of practical wisdom, part of the Ketuvim (Writings) and chanted with its own cantillation system. Mishneh Torah מִשְׁנֵה תּוֹרָה The Rambam's monumental 12th-century code of Jewish law — the first work to organize the whole of Halacha systematically, from prayer to Temple service. Nevi'im נְבִיאִים The Prophets — the second of the Tanakh's three sections, running from Joshua through the twelve minor prophets. essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-article Orthodox Judaism Orthodox Judaism holds Halacha as fully binding and the Shulchan Aruch as its canonical code; it spans Haredi and Hasidic communities as well as Modern Orthodoxy, and is the starting point from which this Field Guide is written, even as it engages seriously with other denominations. how-to-use-this-field-guide Rambam רמב״ם Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1138–1204), known by the acronym Rambam and in the Latin West as Maimonides, was the towering rationalist codifier and philosopher of medieval Judaism — author of the legal code Mishneh Torah and the philosophical Guide for the Perplexed. His formulation of God's unity and incorporeality remains foundational to Jewish theology across denominations. essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god Rashi רש״י Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040–1105) of Troyes, France, is the single most influential commentator on the Tanakh and the Talmud; his terse, page-anchoring commentary appears alongside almost every printed edition of both. A New Jew encounters Rashi constantly — in every Chumash, on every page of Talmud. essentials-essential-judaica-mezuzah Reform Judaism Reform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis. how-to-use-this-field-guide Rut רוּת The book of Ruth — the Tanakh's story of the Moabite woman who joined the Jewish people; one of the Five Megillot, read on Shavuot. Shabbat שַׁבָּת The seventh day — the weekly day of rest from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall, marked by candle lighting, kiddush, festive meals, and rest from creative work. where-to-start-your-first-shabbat Shemot שְׁמוֹת The book of Exodus — the Torah's second book, called by its opening Hebrew word, 'names'; also the name of that book's first weekly portion. Shir HaShirim שיר השירים The Song of Songs, the biblical love poem traditionally read on Pesach and understood by the rabbis as an allegory of the love between God and Israel. It is one of the Five Megillot. Simchat Torah שמחת תורה 'The joy of the Torah' — the festival on which the annual Torah-reading cycle is completed and immediately begun again, celebrated with seven circuits of dancing with the scrolls. holidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah Tanakh תנ״ך The Hebrew Bible, named for the initials of its three sections: Torah (the Five Books), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings) — twenty-four books in the traditional count. essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-article Targum Onkelos תרגום אונקלוס The ancient Aramaic translation of the Torah attributed to the convert Onkelos, printed alongside the Hebrew in traditional Chumashim and studied weekly with the parshah. Tehillim תהילים The Book of Psalms — the Tanakh's 150 poems of praise, lament, and trust, recited constantly in Jewish liturgy and personal devotion. Torah תּוֹרָה The Five Books of Moses — the scroll at the center of Jewish life — and, more broadly, the whole of Jewish teaching. 'Learning Torah' can mean anything from Chumash to Talmud. Trei Asar תרי עשר 'The Twelve' (Aramaic) — the twelve shorter prophetic books, from Hosea to Malachi, counted as a single book of the Tanakh. Triennial cycle An ancient Land-of-Israel practice, revived by many Reform and some Conservative congregations, of reading roughly one-third of each week's Torah portion per year and completing the full Torah over three years rather than one. calendar-the-parshah-cycle Vayikra ויקרא The Book of Leviticus, third of the Five Books of the Torah, named for its opening word, 'And He called'; its concerns are the sanctuary, the offerings, and holiness. haftarah הַפְטָרָה The selection from the Prophets chanted after the Torah reading on Shabbat and festivals, chosen for its thematic link to the day or the weekly portion. megillah מְגִלָּה A scroll — most famously the Megillah, the scroll of Esther read aloud on Purim; the Five Megillot are the biblical scrolls read across the holiday cycle. going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillot parshah פָּרָשָׁה parashah The weekly Torah portion — one of 54 divisions of the Torah, one (occasionally two) read each Shabbat so that the whole Torah is completed every year. The plural is parshiyot. calendar-the-parshah-cycle parent Torah & Texts /sections/torah-texts.xml related Who is a Jew? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew.xml related What Does Judaism Teach About God? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god.xml related Do Jews Believe in an Afterlife? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife.xml related Why Do Jews Not Believe in Jesus? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus.xml related The Oral Torah and Its Authority /articles/going-deeper-deeper-facts-the-oral-torah-and-its-authority.xml related Pirkei Avot /articles/going-deeper-deeper-facts-pirkei-avot.xml related Midrash /articles/going-deeper-deeper-facts-midrash.xml