Quick Answer: How to Say Torah in Hebrew
Torah in Hebrew is:
Meaning: Instruction, teaching, law, direction
How to Pronounce Torah
The Hebrew word תורה (torah) is pronounced to-RAH.
Pronunciation Breakdown
- תוֹ (to) - Sounds like "to" (the "o" as in "go")
- רָה (rah) - Sounds like "RAH" (the "a" as in "father", emphasis on this syllable)
Stress: The emphasis is on the final syllable: to-RAH
Practice Saying Torah
Try saying it slowly: to (pause) RAH
Then say it faster: to-RAH
Tip: The "r" sound in Hebrew is pronounced with a slight roll or trill, similar to Spanish.
What Does Torah Mean?
While תורה (torah) is often translated as "law," its meaning in Hebrew is much richer. Torah comes from the root י.ר.ה (y.r.h), which means "to teach, to point, to shoot." This root reveals that Torah is fundamentally about instruction and direction, not just legal rules. Torah encompasses:
📖 Instruction
Divine teaching and guidance from God
🎯 Direction
Pointing the way to live righteously
📚 Teaching
God's wisdom and knowledge revealed
⚖️ Law
Divine commands and regulations
Key Insight: The Hebrew concept of Torah is not about legalism or burden—it's about God lovingly teaching His people how to live. The word "Torah" literally means "that which points the way." When we understand Torah as instruction rather than just law, we see it as God's gift to guide us into abundant life, not a list of rules to restrict us.
How to Use Torah
Torah appears throughout the Hebrew Bible in various contexts. Here's how it's used:
1. The Five Books of Moses
Torah often refers to the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy):
Deuteronomy 31:12:
וְשָׁמְעוּ אֶת דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת
vesham'u et divrei hatorah hazot
"And they shall hear the words of this Torah"
Moses instructs the people to gather and hear the Torah—God's instruction for their lives.
2. God's Instruction in General
Torah can refer to any divine instruction or teaching:
Psalm 119:1:
אַשְׁרֵי תְמִימֵי דָרֶךְ הַהֹלְכִים בְּתוֹרַת יְהוָה
ashrei temimei darekh haholkhim betorat Adonai
"Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Torah of the Lord"
The psalmist celebrates those who follow God's instruction (Torah).
3. Parental Instruction
Torah can also refer to instruction from parents or teachers:
Proverbs 1:8:
שְׁמַע בְּנִי מוּסַר אָבִיךָ וְאַל תִּטֹּשׁ תּוֹרַת אִמֶּךָ
shema beni musar avikha ve'al titosh torat imekha
"Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching (torah)"
Here, torah refers to a mother's teaching, showing the word's broader meaning of instruction.
Biblical Significance of Torah
Torah is central to the biblical understanding of God's relationship with His people. Here are key biblical concepts involving Torah:
Psalm 119:97 - Delight in Torah
מָה אָהַבְתִּי תוֹרָתֶךָ כָּל הַיּוֹם הִיא שִׂיחָתִי
mah ahavti toratekha kol hayom hi sichati
"Oh how I love your Torah! It is my meditation all the day"
The psalmist expresses deep love for God's instruction, meditating on it constantly.
Joshua 1:8 - Success Through Torah
לֹא יָמוּשׁ סֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה הַזֶּה מִפִּיךָ וְהָגִיתָ בּוֹ יוֹמָם וָלַיְלָה
lo yamush sefer hatorah hazeh mipikha vehagita bo yomam valaylah
"This book of the Torah shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night"
God commands Joshua to constantly meditate on Torah for success and prosperity.
Isaiah 2:3 - Torah Going Forth
כִּי מִצִּיּוֹן תֵּצֵא תוֹרָה וּדְבַר יְהוָה מִירוּשָׁלָיִם
ki mitziyon teitzei torah udvar Adonai miYerushalayim
"For out of Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem"
In the messianic age, God's instruction (Torah) will go forth to all nations.
Practical Tips for Understanding Torah
How to Approach Torah
- Practice pronunciation: Say "to-RAH" slowly, emphasizing the final syllable
- Understand the root meaning: Remember that Torah means "instruction" or "that which points the way"
- See it as a gift: Torah is God's loving instruction, not a burden
- Meditate on it: Follow the example of Psalm 119 and Joshua 1:8 by meditating on God's word
- Apply it practically: Let Torah guide your daily decisions and actions
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