The Torah, in the context of the Bible, refers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. These books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The term "Torah" can also be used to refer to the entire Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, which includes all 24 books of the Hebrew Bible. Additionally, "Torah" can encompass the totality of Jewish teaching, culture, and practice, whether derived from biblical texts or later rabbinic writings, and it may also include the Oral Torah, which comprises the Mishnah, the Talmud, the Midrash, and more.
The Torah is considered the core of the Jewish spiritual and religious tradition and represents the origin of Jewish peoplehood. It is a term and a set of teachings that are explicitly self-positioned as encompassing multiple faces and interpretations, making an unequivocal definition of Torah impossible. The term "Torah" is used in the general sense to include both Rabbinic Judaisms written and oral law, serving to encompass the entire spectrum of authoritative Jewish religious teachings throughout history.
In summary, the Torah is a fundamental and multifaceted concept in Judaism, encompassing the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, the entire Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, and the totality of Jewish teaching, culture, and practice, including the Oral Torah.
