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)- 12th 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 – 13th 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] – 18th 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
Shenei Luchot HaBerit 1611 – 1631 CE by Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz
– Encyclopedic Compilation of Ethics, Mysticism, and Law.
Mikraot Gedolot 1516-17 CE Multi-Commentary on the Torah
Midrash of Rabbi Moshe Alshich 1688 CE Commentary on the Torah
Tzror HaMor – Abraham Saba 1460- 1510 CE Commentary on the Torah
NOTE * Early Dates conjectural
Leave a Reply