Tanakh Talk
This term means “Written Torah” and refers to the sacred written texts of Judaism, also called Scripture.
What is Torah She-bichtav?
This is the English name of Bereshit, the first book of the Torah.
What is Genesis?
This is a form of rabbinic interpretation that explores the words, questions, and gaps in biblical texts.
What is Midrash?
This Hebrew word means “book.”
What is sefer?
Joshua, Judges, Samuel I & II, and Kings I & II all belong to this section of Tanakh.
What is Nevi’im?
This Hebrew word means “Teaching” and refers to the first five books of the Tanakh.
What is Torah?
This is the Hebrew name of Exodus, the second book of the Torah.
What is Shemot?
This is an explanation of a biblical text, often written by a named interpreter.
What is biblical commentary?
This Hebrew word means “chapter.”
What is perek?
From this list, name the FOUR books in Nevi’im: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Job.
What are Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah?
This word means “Prophets” and names the second section of Tanakh.
What is Nevi’im?
This is the Hebrew name of Leviticus, the third book of the Torah.
What is Vayikra?
Midrash and biblical commentary both share this main goal.
What is interpreting biblical texts and exploring their meaning?
This Hebrew word means “verse.”
What is pasuk?
Which TWO books belong to Ketuvim: Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezra, Ezekiel?
What are Daniel and Ezra?
This word means “Writings” and names the third section of Tanakh.
What is Ketuvim?
This is the English name of Bamidbar, the fourth book of the Torah.
What is Numbers?
One of these is often organized according to biblical passages or verses; the other can be organized in various ways. Identify which is which.
Biblical commentary commonly follows biblical passages or verses; Midrash collections may be organized in various ways.
These are the three components of a Tanakh citation, in order, using the Hebrew terms.
What are sefer, perek, and pasuk?
Identify the FOUR books in Ketuvim: Song of Songs, Lamentations, Isaiah, Esther, Ecclesiastes.
What are Song of Songs, Lamentations, Esther, and Ecclesiastes?
The word “Tanakh” is an acronym formed from these three Hebrew words, in order.
What are Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim?
Name the fifth book of the Torah in both Hebrew and English.
What are Devarim and Deuteronomy?
Early Midrash collections were composed through about 1000 CE. Rashi and many other familiar medieval biblical commentators lived around this date and later.
What is approximately 1000 CE?
For the citation Genesis 12:3, identify the book, chapter, and verse.
What are Genesis, chapter 12, verse 3?
Identify the TWO books in Ketuvim: Nehemiah, Judges, Chronicles I & II, Kings I & II, Malachi.
What are Nehemiah and Chronicles I & II?