Torah & Talmud

Lesson 65 · תורה ותלמוד

Torah = Pentateuch (5 books of Moses) + Tanach (full Hebrew Bible). Talmud = compilation of Jewish law and discussion. Even secular Israelis recognize core figures, books, and concepts.

The 5 Books of Moses

Tanach (Hebrew Bible)

Talmud Structure

Key Biblical Figures

Central Concepts

Study Vocabulary

Phrases

Bereshit: The Opening of Genesis

The first verses of the Torah. Bereshit 1:1-5. Read every year on Shabbat Bereshit (after Sukkot).

Hillel's Golden Rule (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)

A non-Jew asked Hillel to teach him the whole Torah while standing on one foot. Hillel's answer became foundational ethics.

Pirkei Avot: Ethics of the Fathers (selected sayings)

A Mishnah tractate of ethical maxims. Studied between Pessach and Shavuot. These sayings are quoted everywhere in Israeli culture.

The Priestly Blessing (Numbers 6:24-26)

Said by parents over their children every Shabbat. Also pronounced by Kohanim in synagogue.