Judaism 101 - A Comprehensive Information Base of Basic Jewish Terms, Concepts and Practices

Judaism 101
A Glossary of Basic Jewish Terms and Concepts

TANAKH

"TANAKH" - an Acronym, based on the letters T (for "Torah"), N (for "Neviim," the Prophets), and K (for "Ketuvim," the Sacred Writings). It is the compendium of the teachings of G-d to human beings in document form.

How does G-d teach Man? In the Torah, He did it by direct communication with Moshe, the "Master of the Prophets," whereby Moshe literally received "dictation from Heaven" for every word of the Torah. In the "Neviim," HaShem "spoke," as it were, with the great and holy Prophets and Prophetesses of the Jewish People, and His Messages were transmitted by them to the Jewish People, for the most part, and sometimes to other nations. In the Sacred Writings, great individuals were inspired by "Ruach HaKodesh," the Holy Spirit, to produce great and holy works.

The composition of the "TANAKH" was determined by the "Anshei K'nesset HaGedolah," the Men of the Great Assembly, under the influence of the "Holy Spirit." It consists of twenty-four "Books," where first and second volumes of one work are counted as one, and where all the twelve "Books" of the "Trei Asar," the Twelve Prophets, are also considered as one.

The twenty-four "Books" are as follows:

1-5: The Five Books of Moses:
•  Bereshit, or Genesis
•  Shemot, or Exodus
•  VaYikra, or Leviticus
•  BaMidbar, or Numbers
•  Devarim, or Deuteronomy.

6-9: The "Neviim Rishonim," the Early Prophets:
•  Yehoshua
•  "Shoftim"/Judges
•  Shmuel I and II
•  "Melachim"/Kings I and II

10-13: The "Neviim Acharonim," the Later Prophets:
•  Yeshayahu
•  Yirmiyahu
•  Yechezkel
•  "Trei Asar":

Books and Prophets within "Trei Asar":
Hoshea, Yoel, Amos, Ovadiah, Yonah, Michah, Nachum, Chavakuk, Tzefaniah, Chaggai, Zechariah, Malachi

14-16: The "Sifrei Emet," "Books of Truth":
•  "Tehilim"/Psalms
•  "Mishlei"/Proverbs
•  "Iyov"/Job

17-21: The "Five Megilot" or "Five Scrolls":
•  "Shir HaShirim"/Song of Songs
•  Ruth
•  "Eichah"/Lamentations
•  "Kohelet"/Ecclesiastes, Esther

22-24: The "Other Writings":
•  Daniel
•  Ezra-Nechemiah
•  "Divrei HaYamim"/Chronicles I and II

Glossary Index

More from OU.ORG

More from OU.ORG

OU.ORG

The OU.ORG Orthodox Synagogue Network
Zmanim at OU.ORG

OU.ORG - Your Gateway to the Jewish Internet
© 2001 - 5761 All Rights Reserved.
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America™
Please send comments to webmaster@ou.org