Writings (Section of the Tanach)

The history and context of the third section of Tanach

The Steinsaltz Ketuvim features the pioneering translation and commentary of Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz and includes a treasure trove of information to make the text clear, fascinating, and relevant to users of all backgrounds.

“The Torah and the Holy One, blessed be He, are one.”Zohar, quoted in Tanya (Likkutei Amarim, chs. 4 and 23, and Shaar Hayichud Veha’emunah, ch. 1). See Zohar 1:24a, 2:60a, 3:73a. In Judaism, a sefer (pl. seforim) is not just a book containing knowledge, ...

Given the incomparable significance of the Torah, what is the function of prophecy and of the prophetic books, the Neviim (“Prophets”) and Ketuvim (“Hagiographa”), composed after the Torah was given at Sinai? And why did the era of prophecy end?

1After the death of Yoshiyahu, the people of the land took Yeho’ahaz son of Yoshiyahu, who was not his firstborn son, and crowned him king in his father’s stead in Jerusalem. 2Yo’ahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned for thre...

1Yoshiyahu performed the paschal offering to the Lord in Jerusalem, and they slaughtered the paschal offering on the fourteenth day of the first month, in accordance with the commandment of the Torah. Exodus 12:6; Leviticus 23:5; Numbers 9:3, 28:16. 2He, ...

1Yoshiyahu was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. 2He did what is right in the eyes of the Lord, and he followed in the ways of David his father, his ancestor, and he did not deviate from them right or left....

1Menashe was twelve years old when he became king; he ascended to the throne as a child, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. Menashe’s reign was the longest of all the kings of Israel. 2He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, in accordance with the...

1After these true matters, Hizkiyahu’s righteous deeds, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, intending to breach and capture them for himself. He did not head immediately to Jerusalem, the center o...

1With the conclusion of all this, all Israel who were present in Jerusalem went out to the cities of Judah and shattered their idolatrous monuments, cut down the sacred trees, which were worshipped in idolatrous rituals, and smashed the shrines and the al...