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shalom

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The Hebrew Bible -TaNaK
« on: March 15, 2006, 06:40:16 PM »
The Hebrew Canon is called TaNaK. TaNaK is an acrostic  for the three divisions Torah, Nevi'im and Kethuv'im. In the section named Torah, each book is called by the 1st important word written.  For example what Christians call Exodus, Jews call Shemot (the names), because the book starts out with the words: "These are the names of the sons of Israel....."


Each book of Torah is further divided into 54 Parshah (portion/section).  Each Parsha is further divided into 7 readings, used in Torah service. The name of the Parsha is the 1st important word of that section. For example the 2nd Parsha of Shemot is called "Va-Era".  It starts at the 2nd verse of the 6th chapter using the Christian divisions.  "Va-Era" means "I appeared".  It is taken from the 6th chapter 3rd verse where G-d said to Moses "I appeared to Abraham....."  

Neither the order of the Hebrew Canon, nor the division of Parsha match perfectly with the Christian divisions.  But today,  Jews are familiar with the Christian divisions and our English translations of the Hebrew are marked with both Christian and Hebrew divisions.

The Scroll used during Jewish service is only the Torah.  If other works are read (usually chanted), they may be read from a separate Megilliah (scroll) or from a printed book.  Either before or after the Torah Parsha has been read, the Hagbah (lifting of Torah so that the congregation can see the letters) is performed - as shown in my avitar.  This custom started in the 7th century C.E.  The purpose of the Hagbah is to give evidence that the scroll is Kosher.  While the Torah is raised, congregation sings an anthem in Hebrew, which in English reads: "This is the Torah that Moses set before the Children of Israel; by the hand of Moses according to the command of G-d."

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 TORAH (The Law):

    * Bereipoo-poo (Beginning...) (Genesis)
    * Shemot (The names...) (Exodus)
    * Vayiqra (And He called...) (Leviticus)
    * Bamidbar (In the wilderness...) (Numbers)
    * Devarim (The words...) (Deuteronomy)

NEVI'IM (The Prophets):

    * Yehoshua (Joshua)
    * Shoftim (Judges)
    * Shmuel (I &II Samuel)
    * Melakhim (I & II Kings)
    * Yeshayah (Isaiah)
    * Yirmyah (Jeremiah)
    * Yechezqel (Ezekiel)
    * The Twelve (treated as one book)
          o Hoshea (Hosea)
          o Yoel (Joel)
          o Amos (Amos)
          o Ovadyah (Obadiah)
          o Yonah (Jonah)
          o Mikhah (Micah)
          o Nachum (Nahum)
          o Chavaqquq (Habbakkuk)
          o Tzefanyah (Zephaniah)
          o Chaggai (Haggai)
          o Zekharyah (Zechariah)
          o Malakhi (Malachi)

KETHUVIM (The Writings):

    * Tehillim (Psalms)
    * Mishlei (Proverbs)
    * Iyov (Job)
    * Shir Ha-Shirim (Song of Songs)
    * Rut (Ruth)
    * Eikhah (Lamentations)
    * Qoheleth (the author's name) (Ecclesiastes)
    * Esther (Esther)
    * Daniel (Daniel)
    * Ezra & Nechemyah (Nehemiah) (treated as one book)
    * Divrei Ha-Yamim (The words of the days) (Chronicles)



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8d82thebone

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The Hebrew Bible -TaNaK
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2006, 10:43:42 AM »
Thanks for the info. on the TaNaK, Shalom... I find it very interesting.
 I was reminded, when you mentioned how the books of the Torah are named, about the first words of my favorite gospel, (John) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..."
 As you probably know, 'The Word' is one of the many names of Christ, who, like the Torah, was also 'lifted up' (John 8:37, 12:33) I know you don't belive in Y'shua but it thought it was an interesting parallel...
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"God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God?"    -Quote from the Jefferson Memorial
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                        'Mere Christianity' , C.S. Lewis

shalom

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The Hebrew Bible -TaNaK
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2006, 12:28:22 PM »
Quote from: 8d82thebone
Thanks for the info. on the TaNaK, Shalom... I find it very interesting.
 I was reminded, when you mentioned how the books of the Torah are named, about the first words of my favorite gospel, (John) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..."
 As you probably know, 'The Word' is one of the many names of Christ, who, like the Torah, was also 'lifted up' (John 8:37, 12:33) I know you don't belive in Y'shua but it thought it was an interesting parallel...



I'm glad you liked it - and yes I am aware of the similarity between our faiths regarding Torah and "The Word".  There is another practice during Torah service:  Torah is carried down all aisles, up and down weaving through the Sanctuary.(still covered).  People line up at the aisles and use their Siddur (prayer book) or zitzit (tassles) that hang on the corners of one's Talit (prayer shawl).  The person kisses the book or the zitzit, then touches the Torah with the book or zitzit.  Sometimes, depending upon the service (i.e. Bar Mitzvah) this can be a very hearty time for eveyone as the young man receives Torah.

BTW:  Did you know that when Israel received Torah the first words out of their mouths as recorded in Torah was "We will do, and we will listen."  I've always found it interesting that action came before understanding (Listen being understood as listening closely, learning more and more).

Shalom
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