Judaism basics
Tanakh and Torah: What Is the Difference?
Locate Torah, Prophets and Writings within the Hebrew Bible.
Tanakh is a name formed from Torah, Nevi’im and Ketuvim: the Torah, Prophets and Writings. The Five Books of Moses are the Torah section. Psalms belongs to the Writings, while books such as Joshua and Isaiah belong to the Prophets.
The word Torah can also describe Jewish teaching more broadly, so context matters. When looking for a book, first identify its shelf rather than treating every sacred work as a biblical volume. Mishnah, Talmud and Tanya are important Jewish works, but they are not sections of Tanakh.
A place to begin
- Locate a Torah book, a prophetic book and a book of Writings.
- Notice the genre before comparing passages.
- Use the library shelves to separate biblical texts from later works.
Editorial introduction based on the linked Chabad.org resource; not a personal halachic ruling or a rabbi-reviewed article. Ask a qualified rabbi about practical observance. Prepare printed learning before Shabbat; device use is not permitted simply because a reading is saved.