World Day For International Justice

 

The word “Torah” (תּוֹרָה in Hebrew) means “instruction,” “teaching,” or “law.”

It refers to the foundational text of Judaism and holds a central place in Jewish religious life.

                                          Origins in the Torah

• The commandments appear throughout the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy).

• Traditionally given by God to Moses at Mount Sinai (~13th–15th century BCE, depending on scholarly/faith-based dating).

Traditional Jewish belief: The Torah was given to Moses at Mount Sinai around 1312 BCE (common traditional date).

Academic/scholarly view: The Torah texts were likely composed and redacted between 1000–400 BCE, over centuries, by multiple authors.

248 positive commandments (“you shall”)  365 negative commandments (“you shall not”)

This number – 613 – is traditional, not explicitly stated in the Torah, but derived and codified by Jewish sages.

                                                          Torah To Modern Day Law

                                  Modern-Day Reflections

                         Examples of Modern Legal Concepts Rooted in Torah:

Concept	Torah Basis	Modern Equivalent
Presumption of innocence	Fair trials (Exodus 23:1–3)	Due process
Restitution over punishment	Compensation for damage (Ex. 21–22)	Civil tort law
Equality before the law	Same law for all (Lev. 19:15)	Constitutional equality
Prohibition of bribery	Deut. 16:19	Anti-corruption laws
Protection for the vulnerable	Widows, orphans, strangers (Deut. 27:19)	Human rights law

 

                                                                          Current Events

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