Torah

Torah (fully Masseketh Sepher Torah, חורה מסכת ספר), or Treatise of the Law, is a Talmudic treatise containing enactments as to the manner in which, and the material on which, the law is to be written. The five chapters of which this treatise consist are full of information, especially the first and fourth; the former containing some notices concerning the Sept., the latter bearing on the sacred text. As to the Sept., see, under that head, Talmudic Notices concerning the Septuagint, in this Cyclop. The fourth chapter gives the passages in which the word אלהים denotes the Deity or has a different signification. These differences are also noticed in correct editions of the Hebrew text by the words קדש and חול, i.e. holy or profane, thus enabling the student at once. to discern whether אלהים should be translated God or gods, or judges, etc. This treatise has been edited, with six others, by Kirchheim (Frankfort-on-theMain, 1851), under the title ירושלמיות שבע מסכתות קטנות; also with the Latin title. Septenm Libri Talmudici Parvi Hierosolymitani quos nunc primum secundut us. Bibliotheca Clarissimi Carmolii edidit. etc. (B. P.)