📚 Sacred Texts

Torah (Five Books of Moses)

The foundational text of Judaism, the Written Law given to Moses at Mount Sinai.

• Genesis (Bereishit): Creation, patriarchs
• Exodus (Shemot): Egypt, Sinai, Tabernacle
• Leviticus (Vayikra): Priests, sacrifices, holiness
• Numbers (Bamidbar): Wilderness wandering
• Deuteronomy (Devarim): Moses' final speeches

Search Torah in 8 translations →

Nevi'im (Prophets)

The prophetic books spanning Israel's history from Joshua to the exile.

Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings

Latter Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Twelve Minor Prophets

Ketuvim (Writings)

Wisdom literature, poetry, and later historical books.

Poetry: Psalms, Proverbs, Job

Scrolls: Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther

Other: Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles

Mishnah

The first written compilation of Oral Law, edited by Rabbi Judah the Prince (~200 CE). Six orders covering all aspects of Jewish law.

Orders: Zeraim (agriculture), Moed (festivals), Nashim (women), Nezikin (damages), Kodashim (holy things), Taharot (purities)

Talmud

Commentary and discussion on the Mishnah, the centerpiece of rabbinic Judaism.

Babylonian Talmud: More authoritative, completed ~500 CE

Jerusalem Talmud: Completed ~400 CE in Land of Israel

Midrash

Homiletical and exegetical interpretations of biblical texts, filling gaps and deriving lessons.

Midrash Rabbah: On Torah and Five Scrolls

Tanchuma: Homiletical midrash

Legal Codes

Systematic compilations of Jewish law from the Talmud.

Mishneh Torah: Maimonides' comprehensive code

Shulchan Aruch: Joseph Karo's practical code (still authoritative)

Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Formation)

Ancient mystical text on cosmology and the creative power of Hebrew letters and numbers.

Date: Unknown, possibly 2nd-6th century CE

Topics: 10 Sefirot, 22 Hebrew letters, creation

Zohar (Book of Splendor)

The foundational text of Kabbalah, mystical commentary on Torah revealing hidden dimensions.

Author: Attributed to Shimon bar Yochai; compiled by Moses de León (13th century)

Content: Sefirot, divine emanations, soul mysteries

Etz Chaim (Tree of Life)

Isaac Luria's systematic Kabbalistic teachings, foundational for Lurianic Kabbalah.

Author: Chaim Vital (student of Ari, 16th century)

Topics: Tzimtzum, Shevirat HaKelim, Tikkun

Pardes Rimonim (Garden of Pomegranates)

Moses Cordovero's encyclopedic work organizing pre-Lurianic Kabbalah.

Author: Moses Cordovero (16th century)

Content: Systematic treatment of Sefirot, divine names

Tanya

Foundational text of Chabad Chassidism by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi.

Content: Soul, divine unity, service of God

Impact: Bridge between Kabbalah and daily practice

Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed)

Maimonides' philosophical masterwork reconciling reason and revelation.

Topics: Negative theology, prophecy, divine providence

Influence: Shaped medieval Jewish and Christian philosophy

Kuzari

Judah Halevi's philosophical dialogue defending Judaism through historical argument of Khazar conversion.

Duties of the Heart

Bachya ibn Paquda's work on inner spiritual dimensions of Jewish observance.