Published by The Five Books of Moses, otherwise known as the Torah or first books of the Old Testament, is said to be the most sacred writings in Judaic history. In Christianity, we know these books as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Though it does not detail exactly how these books were comprised and recorded, they relate to the story of Moses before the separation of Church and State.
Genesis begins with the creation of the Earth. It details well-known bible stories including man’s first sinners, Adam and Eve, and incorporates their descendants as time progresses and sin is inherited among the generations. Eventually, man becomes ambitious and discovers power they are incapable of possessing. God informs a righteous man to construct an ark, after which rain floods the Earth for 40 days and destroys everything.
Exodus delivers the story of Moses and his journey to the Promised Land. Apparently, he leads “God’s chosen people,” yet they neglect to notice the many miracles performed before their very eyes and constantly insist more. Ten Commandments are produced and false idols are worshipped. A sea is parted, food and water is miraculously provided; and yet man, accustomed to sin, simply complains and desires more.
The book of Leviticus describes the many aspects of human righteousness. Everything from sacrificial offerings, cleanliness, bald men, circumcision, bestiality, deformation, and nearly everything else involved in human nature is described. Though Christians fail to partake in many of these traditions, they still exist among Jewish cultures today.
The fourth book exhibits exactly that, Numbers. A census is completed, Moses is banished from entering the Promised Land, the chosen people (Israelites) whore themselves with Moabite women, more complaints, more miracles, and mass genocide is once again inflicted.
Moses speaks of sermons entailing his last forty years in the wilderness (yes, 40 again!), and appears more perceptive in his old age. Many Jewish festivities and traditions originated in the book of Deuteronomy. It tends to focus repeatedly on worship and adhering to the laws of God. Moses eventually dies after a long life equaling 120 years; his brother Aaron is promoted to enforce the Lord’s will. Before his death; however, he writes 13 copies of the finished Torah….one for each tribe and one to place in the covenant of the ark.
