U-1: AN INTRODUCTORY AND STUDY REVIEW OF JEWISH RELIGIOUS LITERATURE

یہودی مذہبی لٹریچرکا تعارفی و مطالعاتی جائزہ

Abstract

Judaism is one of the most mysterious religions in the world. Despite the large number of Jews in the world, people are generally unable to know about Jewish customs and traditions. There are many reasons for this mystery. One of them is that this religion only accepts people of a certain race, due to which other people are generally ignorant of their religious thought, philosophy, and practice. The other reason for their mysteriousness is their different religious calendar system. Their names of months, counting of years, and festivals are neither entirely on the solar calendar nor entirely on the lunar calendar. The books of the People of the Book have been of great importance to the people of Islam because our book, the Holy Quran repeatedly refers to them. Christian literature is easy to obtain as it is available in every language. In contrast, Jewish literature has been available only in Hebrew. And the translations in English are not available to the common man. But for the past two or three years, English translations of Jewish religious books have become available online. The Jewish religious literature is indeed divided into two main parts: the Tanakh and the Talmud. The Tanakh, also known as the Hebrew Bible, is further divided into three sections: the Torah, the Nevi'im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings). Each section contains various books and writings that are significant to the Jewish faith. The Torah, which is the first part of the Tanakh, consists of the five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It contains the foundational laws, commandments, and teachings that guide Jewish religious practice. The Nevi'im, or the Prophets, includes books that contain the messages, prophecies, and narratives of the Jewish prophets throughout history. It provides insights into the moral and spiritual guidance of the Jewish people. The Ketuvim, or the Writings, consists of various books, including Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and others. It contains poetry, wisdom literature, songs, and stories that offer spiritual and practical guidance to Jewish individuals and communities. The Talmud is a compilation of Jewish teachings and discussions that expand upon the laws and principles outlined in the Tanakh. The Talmud is divided into two main parts: the Mishnah and the Gemara. The Mishnah is a collection of oral traditions and teachings of Jewish law, while the Gemara provides commentaries and discussions on the Mishnah. Together, the Tanakh and the Talmud form the foundation of Jewish religious literature, providing guidance, teachings, and insights into the faith and its practices. They are essential sources for understanding Jewish theology, ethics, and legal principles.