Tanach 101: Getting to Know the Jewish Bible

May Grandfather would occasionally play a little trick on some of his friends. He would ask them to quote the biblical verse from Hezekiah 3: 16. When his friend would rush to grab a Tanach and search for the reference, Grandpa would start to chuckle. "There is no book of Hezekiah in the Bible," he would explain. Everyone would share a good-natured laugh. Usually he would then invite them to study with him.

So many Jews that I have met know very little about the Jewish Bible. Some don't even know what constitutes the whole of the Jewish sacred text. Others are vaguely aware that there are Psalms and Prophets but have very little idea what the message of these texts might be. Let's take a brief look at what is contained in the "Jewish Bible."

Out with the 'Old.'

First of all, remove the title "Old Testament" from your vocabulary. The Hebrew Scriptures were designated the "Old Testament" or "Old Covenant" by the Christian Church to distinguish these writings from the so called "New Testament," which are the Christian scriptures. As Jews we know that there is nothing "Old" about our covenant with Hashem! It is the same covenant that G-d made with our father Avraham and is still very much relevant to us as 21st century Jews.

The correct term used to identify the Jewish Bible is the Hebrew word Tanach. Tanach is derived from the three words that identify the major sections of the Bible: Torah, Nevi'im (Prophets) , and Ketuvim (Writings).

What's in a Name?

What is contained in each of these sections of the Tanach?

Torah

Most of us are familiar with this section. Torah refers to the five books of Moses, which are Bereshit (Genesis), Shemot (Exodus), Vayikra (Leviticus), Bamidbar (Numbers), and Devarim (Deuteronomy). A portion of these books are read on each Shabbat morning and during Monday and Thursday morning minyanim.

Nevi'im

Nevi'im means Prophets and refers to Books containing messages from the great teachers of the Prophetic Era as well as historical references to the Hebrew nation after the death of Moses. In the English translation of the Tanach these books are referred to by the names of their authors or principal characters: Joshua, Judges, Samuel (I & II), Kings (I & II), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, The Twelve ( a collection of smaller books from the prophets Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah Micah, Nahum, Habbakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi).

Ketuvim

Ketuvim (Writings) refers to historical and poetic books that are considered part of the Sacred Text. This section includes: Psalms (Tehillim), Proverbs, Job, Song of Song (Shir Ha'shirim), Ruth, Lamentations (Eichah), Ecclesiastes (Kohelet), Esther, Daniel, Ezra & Nehemiah (considered one book), the Chronicles.

A Valuable Resource

The Tanach is a valuable resource of instruction, inspiration, and knowledge. It is unfortunate that so many Jews do not take advantage of this fountain of wisdom. Read from each sections. Many have the tradition of reading the entire book of Psalms, either each week or each month. Esther is read on Purim; Eichah on Tisha B'Av. Portions from the Prophets are recited on Shabbat. Determine to read each and every book as time allows. You will find it well worth your while. Study these books as well. Many synagogues, schools and individual rabbis offer classes that review and expound the message of each book

Don't let the Tanach be a closed book! Make the teachings and inspiration of our tradition become a guide to your life.

Related links:

Tanach in English (on line)
Studies in the Tanach