Do Jews Believe In A Literal Torah

[Prober]

Quick question (I hope). Do Jews believe the Torah is literal. In other words, a literal creation, flood, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc?

[Prober]

What I'm trying to get to is - Does anybody believe that the Bible or Torah is literal anymore.

I was taught that it is, but am finding myself farther and farther from the norm.

[Karimarie]

Be careful using the word 'Bible'... There's a lot of misconceptions among Gentiles over what Jewish scripture really is. The word 'Bible' really isn't appropriate. The word for the collaboration of 'Biblical' Jewish scripture is Tanakh, which is itself an acronym (in Hebrew) for Torah, Nevi'im ("Prophets") and K'tuvim ("Writings")... TaNaKH, Tanakh.

Regarding the Torah... Every movement has its own take on it, every individual Jew has his or her own understanding of the story, it's legitimacy and its meaning. Like everything else in Judaism, there's no consensus on the subject.

There are people who believe in a literal Torah dictated by God to Moses, people who believe it's divinely inspired, people who believe that it's just the social development of the Jewish people, etc. etc.

[Prober]

Originally Posted by Karimarie

Be careful using the word 'Bible'... There's a lot of misconceptions among Gentiles over what Jewish scripture really is. The word 'Bible' really isn't appropriate.

Thanks, Karimarie.

I was referring to the "Bible" in the Christian sense and included that term as I'm a Christian examining the roots of Christianity and comparing with Judaism to "find out from where I come" (so to speak).

I was thinking Judaism might have a "purer" take on things.

I'm interested in learning more and would prefer to be a gentile (with a little g).

[Karimarie]

Originally Posted by Prober

I was referring to the "Bible" in the Christian sense and included that term as I'm a Christian examining the roots of Christianity and comparing with Judaism to "find out from where I come" (so to speak).

There's nothing wrong with that, really. If you want to come to an understanding of Jewish teaching of the Torah and the rest of the Tanakh, though, you should read the text along with Jewish commentaries. The commentaries expand on the meaning of the text and clarify questions that may have been asked.

It should be noted that not all commentaries are the same and many are mutually exclusive with others. The overall theme of Jewish commentaries on the text is that there are many different ideas on the meaning of the text and that the individual must develop his or her own understanding of what it means.

Originally Posted by Prober

I'm interested in learning more and would prefer to be a gentile (with a little g).

Why a little 'g'?

I'm a Gentile as well, although the probability of me becoming a Jew at some point in the future is high.

[Prober]

Originally Posted by Karimarie

Why a little 'g'?

I'm a Gentile as well, although the probability of me becoming a Jew at some point in the future is high.

It was kind of a joke. "Gentile" seems so sinful and unclean. (Although we all are...)

What has led you to be interested in the Judaism?

[Karimarie]

Originally Posted by Prober

It was kind of a joke. "Gentile" seems so sinful and unclean. (Although we all are...)

It shouldn't. The word isn't intended as an insult (usually, anyway). It's just an acknowledgement that a person is not a member of the Jewish people. In the scope of Judaism, Gentiles have life a lot easier than Jews. Gentiles get salvation by following the seven Noachide Laws. Jews have to follow all 613 Commandments to get the same result.

Originally Posted by Prober

What has led you to be interested in the Judaism?

The short version is that I find the Jewish way of looking at things a bit more coherent and rational than I ever found Christianity to be. A number of the theological claims made by Christianity don't make any sense to me (ie Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus is the Savior who died for our sins, the Jews killed Jesus, Salvation comes only from God's grace, etc.) Judaism is a better fit with my theological ideas and my personal worldview.

[dauer]

"Gentile" seems so sinful and unclean. (Although we all are...)

The focus on sin, and original sin, and such, if that's what you're referring to, doesn't really exist in Judaism. While sin is certainly a concept that's dealt with, it's not something we believe stains. Rather, it's something we believe we can make amends for between man and man and between man and God. This link may prove very helpful to you at the moment, as it deals with the differences and similarities between Judaism and Christianity:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism_and_Christianity

It's not perfect, but it may be one of the best things on the web for Christians trying to understand Judaism. If you have any questions after reading that, ask away.

Dauer

[InLove]

Hi and Peace to All Here--

I am reading this thread and the link provided by dauer (thanks, dauer--why am I always talking to you between parentheses?) with great interest. Thanks for your enlightening answers, Karimarie. I don't think we have ever met, so it is nice to do that now.

I would like to add something in an extremely unobtrusive spirit if I may. It is not my wish to create a diversion from the topic of this thread. However, in regard to the following:

Originally Posted by Karimarie

A number of the theological claims made by Christianity don't make any sense to me (ie Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus is the Savior who died for our sins, the Jews killed Jesus, Salvation comes only from God's grace, etc.) Judaism is a better fit with my theological ideas and my personal worldview.

I'm Christian, and I have never been taught that the Jews killed Jesus--at least not by themselves. I have been taught that we all did this. I sure hope no one minds that I jumped in briefly to comment. My desire is to clarify.

I very much look forward to reading whatever continues here as it applies to the original thread subject. Thanks!

InPeace,
InLove

[Karimarie]

Originally Posted by InLove

Thanks for your enlightening answers, Karimarie. I don't think we have ever met, so it is nice to do that now.

I'm still pretty new here.

Originally Posted by InLove

I'm Christian, and I have never been taught that the Jews killed Jesus--at least not by themselves. I have been taught that we all did this. I sure hope no one minds that I jumped in briefly to comment. My desire is to clarify.

I was raised Roman Catholic and I was taught thus. I was taught also that regardless it's not a valid reason to hate the Jews of today, but I still found the idea disturbing and recognize that a lot of Anti-Semitism is based on that claim.

[InLove]

Thanks, Karimarie--yes, there truly is a great deal of diversity among Christian beliefs, just as you mentioned the same among Jewish beliefs.

And I wish there was no such thing as Anti-Semitism.

Again, thanks for accomodating (and replying to) my comment. Sounds like a good topic for another board.

Oh, and welcome to CR.

InPeace,
InLove