What is the Torah?

"Written On The Writer"
There was a time when a person could read my handwriting. In my elementary school much time was spent in penmanship, and I even learned to use a fountain pen (some may have to Google that term!). Those days are gone. With the advent of the keyboard and the word processor, my handwriting might as well be Sanskrit.

That background may help you realize why I appreciate the story I read about Richard Epstein, a Maryland psychiatrist, professor and author. Earlier this month a celebration was held to honor his work of hand-copying the Torah, a project that took eight years!

The Torah, in case you're not aware, is the first five books of the Old Testament, the books attributed to Moses, describing the Creation and the birth of the Israelite nation. Epstein, a Jew, used a feather quill to write on parchment made from sheepskin. In making his copy of the Torah, he wrote 304,805 Hebrew characters - without a mistake!

What does Epstein have to show for the eight years of careful writing? He has a beautiful scroll, for one thing (you can see it in this short documentary of his work at http://youtu.be/XKb-baFLMC8). But what impressed me more was this observation he made: "the Torah wrote me, more than I wrote the Torah — that it really shaped me."

The Torah is one part of a larger body of writings we call Scripture - literally, "that which has been written". Paul explains the significance of these writings: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). No other book ever written can make that kind of claim - a book breathed out by God!

Those who take the time to read carefully from this Book will find the transformative power Epstein spoke about. This power is highlighted in Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

What God desires is much more than our simply reading the Bible often. "Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart" (2 Corinthians 3:3). As Epstein observed, Scripture can shape us. That's why God seeks to write it on our hearts.

"Patience, consistency, dedication" were words used in the Yahoo News report to describe the efforts of Richard Epstein in copying the Torah. Those same traits will lead to amazing results in our lives if we apply them to understanding Scripture.

Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you'd like to discuss these ideas further.
~Timothy D. Hall.