Torah

Sometimes to·rah,

[toh-ruh, tawr-uh, toh-rah, toh-ruh, toi-ruh]

noun

Judaism.

1. Also the Torah the five books containing the Law as revealed to Moses, constituting the first of the three divisions of Jewish Scripture.

   In the desert of life filled with obstacles and challenges, the light of Torah helps lead the way.

2. a parchment scroll on which the five books of the Law are written, used in synagogue services.

3. Also the Torah

   1. the entire body of Jewish Scripture, including all three divisions; Tanakh.

   2. the entire body of Jewish religious literature, law, and teaching as contained chiefly in the Tanakh and the Talmud.

4. law or instruction.

Torah

/ ˈtəʊrə, tɔˈra /

noun

1. 1. the Pentateuch

   2. the scroll on which this is written, used in synagogue services

2. the whole body of traditional Jewish teaching, including the Oral Law

3. (modifier) promoting or according with traditional Jewish Law

Torah

1. The law on which Judaism is founded (torah is Hebrew for “law”). This law is contained in the first five books of the Bible (see also Bible) (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Torah can also refer to the entire body of Jewish law and wisdom, including what is contained in oral tradition.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Torah¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Hebrew tôrāh “instruction, law”; akin to hôrāh “to teach,” yārāh “to throw”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Torah¹

C16: from Hebrew: precept, from yārāh to instruct

Example Sentences

"This is our land – the land God gave us in the Torah."

From BBC

"Every house in a Jewish town has a mezuzah on the door, which is like a little tube with a little Torah scroll inside and when you come through, you touch it."

From BBC

They saved 13 Torahs before they had to flee.

From Los Angeles Times

Torah scrolls were saved, but the temple and center were destroyed for a community that has called Pasadena home for more than 100 years.

From Los Angeles Times

In a letter to members sent Wednesday morning, leaders assured the community that the congregation’s Torah scrolls had been rescued from the sanctuary, chapel and classrooms before the fire destroyed the building.

From Los Angeles Times