The Hebrew Bible Notes

The Hebrew Bible is broken up into three parts: Torah Definition: Teaching What it includes: The Pentateuch—the first five books of the bible Nevi’im Definition: Prophets The religious history of Israel from arrival in the promised land to the rise and fall of King David and his descendants Ketuvim Definition: Writings Various themes and literary forms

Plain Sense Inquiry Allegorical Mystical The Jewish reading strategies employed when reading and/or interpreting the Hebrew bible: Plain Sense Definition: Looks to the surface, though not necessarily literal—looks at context, diction, syntax, etc. as well. Inquiry Definition: Looks for layers of meaning—interpretive. Allegorical Definition: Looks for parallels between the scriptural text and more abstract concepts—ideas, events, people which stand for other truths. Mystical Definition: Looks at the biblical text as a symbolic code, which in combination with humility and wisdom will yield a personal relationship with the divine.