Torah

or To·ra

[ toh-ruh, tawr-uh; Sephardic Hebrew toh-rah; Ashkenazic Hebrew toh-ruh, toi-ruh ]

/ ˈtoʊ rə, ˈtɔr ə; Sephardic Hebrew toʊˈrɑ; Ashkenazic Hebrew ˈtoʊ rə, ˈtɔɪ rə /

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noun (sometimes lowercase)

the Pentateuch, being the first of the three Jewish divisions of the Old Testament.Compare Tanach.

a parchment scroll on which the Pentateuch is written, used in synagogue services.

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

law or instruction.

QUIZ

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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

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Origin of Torah

From the Hebrew word tōrāh instruction, law

Words nearby Torah

top-up card, top whack, top yeast, toque, tor, Torah, toran, torbanite, Torbay, torbernite, torc

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Torah in a sentence

Your book ends with a letter to your mother and a section from the Torah.
A physicist’s lessons about race, power, and the universe|Neel Dhanesha|January 17, 2022|Vox
When I decided to write this book, I quickly realized I wanted to go and look in the Torah and see if I can find a commentary that responds to what I’m already thinking about with the science.
The Physicist’s New Book of Life - Issue 92: Frontiers|Michael Brooks|October 21, 2020|Nautilus
Ultimately, and this is something I learned from the Torah, how you describe the past is not ideologically neutral.
The Physicist’s New Book of Life - Issue 92: Frontiers|Michael Brooks|October 21, 2020|Nautilus
He gave his soul for the sake of the people of Israel, The Torah, and the Land.
Inside Hebron, Israel’s Heart of Darkness|Michael Tomasky|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

All of their songs, they say, are inspired by Torah and Hasidic philosophy, even the ones that sound a bit salacious.
The Sisterhood of Bulletproof Stockings: It’s Ladies’ Night for Hasidic Rockers|Emily Shire|September 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He added, “This is the whole of the Torah, and the rest is commentary; go learn it.”
Why I’m Against Hamas, Against What Israel Is Doing, and For Judaism|Sally Kohn|July 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Someone who is truly [studying Torah] day and night should continue to learn.
The Lapid-Bennett Alliance Is Breaking Down|Emily L. Hauser|December 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Every week, on the Sabbath, Jews around the world read a portion of the Torah.
Despite Hebron's Importance, Israel Will Have to Give It Up|Samuel Lebens|October 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Reason alone cannot decide this question; it needs the guidance of the Torah, which is divine.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy|Isaac Husik
But the philosophers are Greeks, descended from Japheth, who did not inherit either wisdom or Torah.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy|Isaac Husik
According to the Torah God created the world just as it is, with its animals and plants already formed.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy|Isaac Husik
He developed his views, he tells us, because he believes that they are in agreement with the words of the Torah.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy|Isaac Husik
But it is unlikely that any such prophet will come, for the Torah says that there never was or will be any prophet like Moses.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy|Isaac Husik

British Dictionary definitions for Torah

Torah

/ (ˈtəʊrə, Hebrew tɔˈra) /

noun

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

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

(modifier) promoting or according with traditional Jewish Law

Word Origin for Torah

C16: from Hebrew: precept, from yārāh to instruct

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for Torah

Torah

[ (toh-ruh, tawr-uh, toy-ruh) ]

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.