"The Torah begins with acts of loving kindness and ends with acts of loving kindness." These words are as necessary and relevant today as they were nearly 2,000 years ago. Join the evolving conversation of the Jewish people and make the Torah your own.

Torah from A to Z

There is so much more to Torah than the Five Books of Moses. From aliyah to yad, here you'll find definitions of many Torah-related words.

Definitions

Study

Torah study is as broad as it is deep, with many points of entry, from studying Biblical Hebrew to learning with a partner over the phone or discovering the ancient art of Torah scribing.

How much do you know about studying Torah? Get started with this quiz.

Learn Hebrew

Learn or improve your Biblical or Modern Hebrew skills, from beginner to advanced levels • eTeacher Biblical

For longer-term study, consider these Biblical and Modern Hebrew courses

Prefer to learn one-on-one and to study at your own pace? Sign up for Telepartners

Learn Mussar

Mussar usually refers to the teaching of Jewish ethics through text study, contemplative practices and exercises • The Mussar of Learning

Which learning and practice pathway is right for you? • Mussar Wisdom, Teaching, and Resources

What is Trope?

Text from the Torah and other books of the bible includes a set of symbols called trope (Yiddish) or te'amim (Hebrew) • More 

Follow along with the Hebrew and trope of the weekly Torah Portion • More

The Art of Torah Scribing

Guide to Studying, Writing and Dedicating a New Torah Scroll • More

Explore the changing relationship between women and Torah scribing • More

Additional resources on Bible Study, Torah & Midrash • Jewish Lights Publishing  

 Prayers & Blessings

Prayers are central to Jewish observance, whether in synagogue or at home. Here you will find a wealth of prayers in both Hebrew and English transliteration • More

• Prayer for Healing  
• Misheberach
• Healing at Bedtime: The Traditional Kriat Shma  
• Prayer for Parenting

Additional resources from the National Center for Jewish Healing

Want to customize your own Kabbalat Shabbat service on the beach, in your backyard, or on a retreat? Get started

Music

Weekly Portion

The Torah is divided into portions, each called a parasha, for every Sabbath of the year, ensuring that the entire Torah is read in a yearly cycle. We read the Torah as a continuous story because it is our story.  Click here for an aliyah-by-aliyah breakdown of the weekly parasha, on a triennial cycle.

Various Voices

• Academy for Jewish Religion
  Pluralistic, post-denominational voices
• Babaganewz
  Animated video for kids of all ages
• Bibliodrama
  Torah through the Creative Arts (click on "Parsha Blog")
• Canfei Nesharim
  Environmental Learning and Action
• Punk Torah
  The Voice of Independent Judaism Online
• Schechter Rabbinical Seminary
  Reflections on Parashat HaShavua
• Taste of Torah
  A short weekly drash on the parashah
• Torah for Healing
  Encouraging the healing process
• Torat Imecha
  The Women's Torah Weekly

 Family

"With every child the world begins anew."
~ Talmud

Talk to your kids and connect to their lives with these value-oriented, short, accessible posts designed to empower parents of all levels of Jewish knowledge and commitment • Torah Topics for Today

Draw on Jewish wisdom to support you on your parenting journey • Jewish Parenting: A Sampling of Books

In less than a minute, create a free account with Behrman House Publishing, and discover hours of learning and fun for the whole family • More

Watch an animated video of this week's Torah Portion • More

Bring the lessons and values of the Torah home with a great selection of books & music for children ages two to eight • PJ Library 

A treasury of Torah-related toys and activities • Oy Toys

Bar & Bat Mitzvah Preparation

Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are public statements about Jewish identity, a pledge to the Jewish future, and a special opportunity for friends and family to join together in celebration.

Family retreats

Students and their parents come together with educators in an empowering, playful, professionally-focused learning environment, these retreats are dynamic, experiential and completely respectful of the full-range of Jewish belief and practice • More

Practice reading your Torah portion with a guided video  

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Books • Jewish Lights Publishing

Download these resources to guide the planning and preparation process:

• B-MAP (Bar/Bat Mitzvah Action Plan)
• D'var Torah Speech Guidelines 
• Family Movie: Viewing Discussion Sheet
• Oral History Questions

Incorporating mitzvot and tzedakah into your Bar/Bat Mitzvah--and beyond:

• Jewish National Fund B'nai Mitzvah Brochure
• B'nai Mitzvah Tikkun Olam Guide
• Beyond the Bar/Bat Mitzvah: Best Practices for engaging teens in hands-on collective philanthropic giving
   

When life brings you suffering, hurt. When life brings joy, laugh. ~ Rabbi Rami Shapiro