Jewish Ideals In The Torah And Nevi'Im

Jewish Ideals in the Torah and Nevi'im

Both the Torah and the Nevi'im are important texts in Judaism that each illustrates different aspects of Judaism. The Torah specifies a number of the commandments and rules to be followed. On the other hand, the Nevi'im contains several accounts of the lives of the prophets. Analyzing the Torah and the Nevi'im allows one to clearly see the differences and similarities. The Torah is the primary document which reveals instructions to the Jewish people.

The first five books of the Hebrew scripture focus on Jewish law and teaching. The Torah is a key text in Judaism. Specifically, it refers to the five books which make up the beginning of the Tanakh. The Torah gives the history of the world and the Jewish people, as well as the laws passed down to them. God reveals his requirements to Moses. The commandments include rules for daily life. In Genesis 17, God changes Abram's name to Abraham which means "father of many." God affirms that His covenant is to be established with Abraham's physical seed. This is to be an everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants through Isaac. The land is to be an everlasting possession of Abraham's descendants through Isaac. In future generations, sin may cause the people to lose control of the land, but it will always belong to them. The rite of circumcision is the physical sign of the covenant. In this covenant, God is saying that he is our Almighty God and we are his people. It is a physical reminder to the Israelites of the promises of God's covenant. Within this great covenant, Abraham received the promise of a son, land and descendants.

The Torah clearly states the importance of being moral, following the commandments and worshiping only God. God is the creator of all that exists. The great commandment clearly states, "The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore you shall love the lord, your God, will all your strength." (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) God states that if the people obey and follow him, they undoubtedly will "flourish and live forever." (Deuteronomy 5:29) Similar to His covenant with Abraham, God promises fulfillment to those who live a life of righteousness and moral. God describes the blessings he would bestow upon Israel if the people obeyed him and the curses if they continued to disobey.

For every action there are consequences. The Torah puts an emphasis on the consequences for not abiding the law of God. Sin has its most significant result in its effect upon the sinner's relation to God. Sin is primarily against God and he will punish those who refuse to comply with his wishes. God states that he is, "a jealous God, inflicting punishments for their fathers' wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the thirst and fourth generation." (Deuteronomy 5:9) Failure to obey the commandments extracts a level of suffering. Sin separates man from God and brings forth God's disapproval and condemnation. If someone slips in their observance of the law, God may eventually bring him back to his righteous path with proper forgiveness. A sinner is responsible before God and deserves punishment. The books of the prophets, or the Nevi'im, speak of upholding agreements between God and the people.

Demonstrated throughout the Nevi'im is the message of God. God sent prophets to communicate His desires and directions for His people. God enters a new covenant with Israel. "This is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day. I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people...And I will forgive their wickedness and will never again remember their sins." (Jeremiah 31:31-34) The messages of repentance and redemption are constant