Torah

American  

[toh-ruh, tawr-uh, toh-rah, toh-ruh, toi-ruh] / ˈtoʊ rə, ˈtɔr ə, toʊˈrɑ, ˈtoʊ rə, ˈtɔɪ rə /

Sometimes torah,

noun

Judaism.

1. Also the Torah the five books containing the Law as revealed to Moses, constituting the first of the three divisions of Jewish Scripture.

   In the desert of life filled with obstacles and challenges, the light of Torah helps lead the way.

2. a parchment scroll on which the five books of the Law are written, used in synagogue services.

3. Also the Torah

   1. the entire body of Jewish Scripture, including all three divisions; Tanakh.

   2. the entire body of Jewish religious literature, law, and teaching as contained chiefly in the Tanakh and the Talmud.

4. law or instruction.

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Torah British  

/ ˈtəʊrə, tɔˈra /

noun

1. 1. the Pentateuch

   2. the scroll on which this is written, used in synagogue services

2. the whole body of traditional Jewish teaching, including the Oral Law

3. (modifier) promoting or according with traditional Jewish Law

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Torah Cultural  

1. The law on which Judaism is founded (torah is Hebrew for “law”). This law is contained in the first five books of the Bible (see also Bible) (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Torah can also refer to the entire body of Jewish law and wisdom, including what is contained in oral tradition.

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Etymology

Origin of Torah

First recorded in 1570–80; from Hebrew tôrāh “instruction, law”; akin to hôrāh “to teach,” yārāh “to throw”

Example Sentences

Above the Torah ark in Ms. Wisse’s synagogue, an admonition is written in Hebrew: “Know before whom you stand.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Most of the men who study Torah in Kiryas Joel also work for a living, or will work after a few years of full-time study in their early 20s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

In the Torah, Amalek refers to descendants of Esau who are known as the Israelites’ sworn enemy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

One of the community's most prominent figures was Israel Najara, a poet and Torah commentator.

From Barron's • Nov. 28, 2025

I hand it to Father and say, “I know this is only a shawl, but if you wish to cover the Torah with it, I would be honored.”

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar