The Torah

The Jewish passion to repair the world.

A portable sanctuary in the wilderness.

The greatest Jewish prophet led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Torah at Sinai, but he never entered the promised land.

As commonly understood, this biblical narrative condemns the first violation of the prohibition against idolatry--but it's not that simple.

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

Deuteronomy's legal treatment of slavery is more humane than the parallel laws in Exodus, and more practical than those in Leviticus.

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.

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

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

Sometimes seen as inaccessible, Leviticus nevertheless contains important material about holiness.