Major Hebrew Texts – A Guide

Tanach [T-Torah N-Nevi’im K-Ketuvim TaNaK] (Old Testament)

1. Torah (Pentateuch) – c. 1200 BCE *

– The five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

– Foundational text of Judaism, containing laws, narratives, and ethical teachings

– Example: The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17)

2. Nevi’im (Prophets) – c. 800-400 BCE *

– Includes books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve Minor Prophets

– Contains prophetic visions and moral teachings

– Example: Isaiah’s vision of universal peace (Isaiah 2:4)

3. Ketuvim (Writings) – c. 1000-100 BCE *

– Includes Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles

– Diverse collection of wisdom literature, poetry, and historical accounts

– Example: Psalms as a source of spiritual inspiration and liturgy

4. Mishnah – c. 200 CE

– Compiled by Rabbi Judah the Prince

– First major work of Rabbinic literature, codifying oral traditions

– Organized into six orders covering various aspects of Jewish law

5. Tosefta – c. 200 CE

– Redacted by Hiya bar Abba

– In many ways, the Tosefta is a supplement to the Mishnah.

6. Jerusalem Talmud (Yerushalmi) – c. 400 CE

– Commentary on the Mishnah developed in the Land of Israel

– Source of Jewish law and ethics

– Covers agricultural laws and the structure of the ancient Temple

7. Babylonian Talmud (Bavli) – c. 500 CE

– More extensive commentary on the Mishnah developed in Babylon

– Principal source of Jewish law and ethics

– Example: Discussions on the nature of God, free will, and morality

8. Midrash Collections – c. 400-1200 CE

– Interpretative texts explaining Torah passages

– Includes works like Genesis Rabbah and Leviticus Rabbah, Midrash Tanchuma

– Example: Explanations of biblical narratives with moral lessons

9. Sefer Yetzirah – c. 200-500 CE

– Early Kabbalistic text on cosmology and Hebrew alphabet mysticism

– Influenced later Jewish mystical thought

10. Saadia Gaon’s Works – 9th-10th century CE

– “The Book of Beliefs and Opinions” (Emunot ve-Deot)

– First systematic presentation of Jewish philosophy

11. Rashi’s Commentaries – 11th century CE

– Comprehensive commentaries on the Tanakh and Talmud

– Essential for Torah study, providing clear explanations of difficult passages

12. Maimonides’ (RAMBAM) Works – 12th century CE

– “Mishneh Torah” – Comprehensive code of Jewish law

– “Guide for the Perplexed” – Reconciliation of Aristotelian philosophy with Judaism

– “Commentary on the Mishnah” – Including the Thirteen Principles of Faith

13. Nachmanides’ (RAMBAN)- 12^th century CE

– Commentary in the Torah – Mystical, and in places, Kabbalistic focus

14. Zohar – 13th century CE

– Central text of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism)

– Mystical interpretations of the Torah

– Example: Concepts of the Sefirot and the nature of God

15. Sefer Ha-Bahir – 13^th Century

16. Baal HaTurim – Jacob Ben Asher 13th/14th Century

– Arba’ah Turim – a four-part code of Jewish Law

– Torah Commentary

17. Shulchan Aruch – 16th century CE

– Compiled by Joseph Karo

– Comprehensive code of Jewish law still consulted today

18. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto [RamCHaL] – 18^th Century CE

– Works

– ” Path of the Just” (Mesillat Yesharim)

– ” Ma’amar HaGeulah” – Secrets of the Redemption

– ” 138 Openings of Wisdom”

– “The Ways of Reason”

– ” The Book of Logic “

– ” The Book of Words “

– ” The Way of God “

19. Hasidic Texts – 18th-19th centuries CE

– ” The Tanya ” by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi

– Works by the Baal Shem Tov, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, and others

– Focus on spirituality, joy in worship, and mystical interpretations

– Example: “Likutei Moharan” by Rabbi Nachman

20. Mussar Literature – 19th century CE

– Ethical and spiritual guidance texts

– Examples: “ Ohr Israel” A Collection of Writings of Rabbi Yisrael ben Ze’ev Wolf Lipkin also known as Israel Salantar

21. Modern Jewish Philosophy – 19th-20th centuries CE

– Works by thinkers like Martin Buber, Franz Rosenzweig, and Abraham Joshua Heschel

– Example: Buber’s “I and Thou” – exploring human relationships with God and others

22. Mekilata – Halakic Midrash to Exodus exegesis of the Middot (See Article)

23. Sifre – Halakic Midrash

24. Various Commentaries etc. of note:-

Kedushat Levi 1798 CE by Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev

– Torah Commentary

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Shenei Luchot HaBerit 1611 – 1631 CE by Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz

– Encyclopedic Compilation of Ethics, Mysticism, and Law.

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Mikraot Gedolot 1516-17 CE Multi-Commentary on the Torah

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Midrash of Rabbi Moshe Alshich 1688 CE Commentary on the Torah

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Tzror HaMor – Abraham Saba 1460- 1510 CE Commentary on the Torah

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NOTE * Early Dates conjectural