Jewish Texts

A brief introduction to the devices and characteristics of this biblical genre.

This climactic chapter emphasizes the obligation to be holy in our dealings with our fellow human beings.

Korah was punished for his rebellion, but his questioning of the need for human rulers has remained a living issue for later generations to contemplate.

Isaiah decries injustice by the elite against the poor. As a fit punishment, social order will be upset, leaving the people in leaderless chaos.

The prophet takes on the people's mistaken assumption that they can safely persist in unethical behavior--and that God would never destroy the Temple.

The story of the family that will become the people of Israel is seen as the focus of a larger, universal history.

The beloved Torah commentator also wrote a much-used commentary on the Talmud.

While the Shema has been seen as a declaration of absolute monotheism, it has other meanings in its biblical and liturgical contexts.

A remarkable discovery with eternal repercussions

How the sages' debates across many generations became the monumental works known as the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds

The literary prophets had a difficult and often unpopular mission.

Jews of different stripes differ greatly with respect to their assessment of the role Jewish law should play today—and each camp has much to learn from the others.