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Unit 1: Genesis. Chapter 1: Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. Essential Question. Why is the Hebrew Scripture important to not only the Jews but also to Christians as well?. I CAN:. Discover the organization of the Hebrew Scriptures
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Unit 1: Genesis Chapter 1: Introduction to the Hebrew Bible
Essential Question • Why is the Hebrew Scripture important to not only the Jews but also to Christians as well?
I CAN: • Discover the organization of the Hebrew Scriptures • Explain important themes and literary devices in the Hebrew Scriptures • Evaluate the Jewish tradition of Biblical Interpretation • Analyze the role of the Tanakh in Jewish and in Christian Life
Organization of the Jewish Bible • Broken into three different sections: • Torah • Nevi’im • Ketuvim
1) Torah • First five books of the Hebrew Scripture • From the Hebrew word “teaching” • Greek word Pentateuch meaning “five parts” • Central teachings and laws of Judaism • In geologies has word “begat” which means “was the ancestor of”
2) Nevi’im • Second part of Hebrew Scriptures; from the word “Prophets” • Within Israel, prophets were the ones who spoke on behalf of God.
3) Ketuvim • Third and Final part of Hebrew Scripture; means “writings” • These books include many different writing themes and literary forms such as: prayers, poetry, and wise sayings.
Hebrew Scriptures • The whole Hebrew Scriptures is known as the Tanakh(made up of initial sounds of the Hebrew words Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim • All share one consistent theme: the relationship between God and humans, especially the people of biblical Israel
How Jews Read the Hebrew Scriptures • Plain Sense- (peshat) looks to the surface and meaning of text or words • Inquiring- (derash) looks deeper into the meaning, such as rabbi or minister • Allegorical- (remez) looks for parallels between the scriptural text and more abstract concepts • Mystical- (sod) biblical text as symbolic code that can bring hidden wisdom and personal connections
Christians and the Hebrew Scriptures • Believe that the Hebrew Scriptures point to Jesus Christ and a new covenant established and recorded in the New Testament • Some call it Old Testament, while others call it Hebrew Scriptures
The Name of God • Names carry enormous power within Hebrew tradition • Exodus 3:15- personal name of God revealed and is the most powerful and sacred of all • Christians translate it as Yahweh • Tetragrammation- four letters (YHWH) that make up the personal name of God
Name of God Cont. • It was to only be spoken in the holy of holies, Hebrews substituted its name for Adonai (Lord) • Jehovah- vowel sounds of Adonai and consonants of Yahweh • Some religious people spell out G-d so as not to desecrate his name
Other Hebrew Writings • Talmud- comprises both the Mishnah and Gemara, both oral law and later elaborations and commentaries • Midrash- A creative interpretation or exposition of the meaning of a biblical text
Hebrew Scriptures in Jewish and Christian Life • Deuteronomy 6: 4-9- Moses’s farewell address, sum up the centrality of Hebrew Scriptures in Jewish identity, faith and daily life. • Jesus was a Jew • Most Christian liturgies (structured public worship) read from Hebrew texts and sing portion of psalms • Follow the Ten Commandments