Tanakh (Hebrew Bible)
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
The scripture of Judaism, read and studied by India's Jewish communities: the Cochin Jews of Kerala, the Bene Israel of Maharashtra and the Baghdadi Jews.
| Tradition | Jewish |
|---|---|
| Type | Scripture |
| Language | Hebrew (some parts in Aramaic) |
| Period | c. 1st millennium BCE (scholarly estimate) |
What it contains
- Torah: the five books of Moses.
- Nevi'im: the books of the Prophets.
- Ketuvim: the Writings, including the Psalms.
- Torah scrolls are read in the synagogue on the Sabbath and festivals.
Significance
The Cochin Jews and the Bene Israel kept their faith for centuries in India, using Hebrew in prayer and Malayalam and Marathi at home. The Paradesi Synagogue in Kochi preserves old Torah scrolls.