torah
/tɔːˈrɑː/
noun
Origin
Hebrew
y-r-h (י-ר-ה) — to shoot, to point, to teach, or to direct
Overview
Meaning Now
- The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).
- The body of Jewish religious teachings, including the Written Law and the Oral Law.
- Instruction, teaching, or law.
Literal older meaning
instruction, teaching, or guidance
Language path
Hebrew → English
Earliest form
תּוֹרָה
Earliest period
Biblical period
Journey
In Jewish tradition, the Torah is considered the foundational revelation given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. It serves as the constitutional basis for Jewish life, ethics, and ritual.
Evolution
- Biblical Hebrew
תּוֹרָה
“instruction, law, or teaching”
Often used to refer to divine instruction or the observance of commandments.
- Rabbinic Period
Torah
“The Pentateuch and the broader body of Jewish law (Oral Torah).”
Distinction developed between the Written Torah (Torah She-bi-Ktav) and the Oral Torah (Torah She-be'al Peh).
- Modern English
Torah
“The first five books of the Bible or Jewish law.”
Standardized loanword in English religious and academic discourse.
Connections
Word parts
torah
root
instruction
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Related to torah
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.