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Deuteronomy. The Greek word Pentateuch (“five scrolls”) is also used to refer to these five books, which were origi- nally written on scrolls. Jews believe that the Torah was revealed by God directly to Moses. Although the Torah is changeless, because it is the word of God, progressive Judaism teaches that people’s circum- stances, ideas, and values change as generations come and go. Therefore the interpretation of the Torah changes with the passage of time.

Copies of the Torah that are read in synagogues are handwritten and stored on scrolls. The reader uses a pointer, called yad , so that he or she does not touch the scroll.

What Do Jews Believe

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