Torah

noun

To·​rah ˈtȯr-ə 

ˈtȯi-rə

1

: the body of wisdom and law contained in Jewish Scripture and other sacred literature and oral tradition

2

: the five books of Moses constituting the Pentateuch

3

: a leather or parchment scroll of the Pentateuch used in a synagogue for liturgical purposes

Examples of Torah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center Torah scrolls were saved, but the temple and center were destroyed for a community that has called Pasadena home for more than 100 years. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

At least one historic synagogue, the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, was completely destroyed by fire, but not before community members battled challenging conditions to remove the Conservative congregation’s 13 Torah scrolls. —Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025

The violence began shortly before noon on June 23 in front of the Adas Torah synagogue in the 9000 block of Pico Boulevard. —Louis Casiano, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024

The tablet came into the possession of an Israeli antiquities dealer in 1995 and then became part of the Living Torah Museum in Brooklyn. —Francesca Aton For Artnews, Robb Report, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew tōrāh

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Torah

• Simchas Torah
• the Torah

Kids Definition

Torah

noun

To·​rah ˈtōr-ə 

ˈtȯr-;

ˈtȯi-rə

1

: the wisdom and law contained in Jewish Scripture and other sacred writings and in oral tradition

2

: a scroll containing the first five books of the Old Testament used in a synagogue for religious services