Role of Scripture Reading among Jews: Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed

[Robster7]

I’d be interested in know from a knowledgeable Jewish person what role reading the Hebrew scriptures plays in the various sects of Judaism: Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed.

Do they read only the First Five Books of Moses, the Torah, or do they read the complete
Hebrew Sciptures, the Tanakh (sp?). How does it differ among the groups mentioned?

Also: When the official canon of Hebrew Scripture was set down, what was the criteria for inclusion; what was the criteria for exclusion? Why are the seven books included in Catholic Bibles not part of the Jewish Scriptures (Wisdom, Sirach, Tobit, Judith, Maccabees 1 &2, and another I can’t remember).

 

[jenkiedad]

Also: When the official canon of Hebrew Scripture was set down, what was the criteria for inclusion; what was the criteria for exclusion? Why are the seven books included in Catholic Bibles not part of the Jewish Scriptures (Wisdom, Sirach, Tobit, Judith, Maccabees 1 &2, and another I can’t remember).

I can’t address the first part of your questions, but here’s a link to an article in “This Rock” magazine that pretty well lays out accurate information about the Apocrypha Books that were excluded.

catholic.com/thisrock/2004/0409fea4.asp

There’s also this link to a past thread, although somewhat rambling:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=203558

 

[Kaninchen]

I’d be interested in know from a knowledgeable Jewish person what role reading the Hebrew scriptures plays in the various sects of Judaism: Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed.

Do they read only the First Five Books of Moses, the Torah, or do they read the complete
Hebrew Sciptures, the Tanakh (sp?). How does it differ among the groups mentioned?

Also: When the official canon of Hebrew Scripture was set down, what was the criteria for inclusion; what was the criteria for exclusion? Why are the seven books included in Catholic Bibles not part of the Jewish Scriptures (Wisdom, Sirach, Tobit, Judith, Maccabees 1 &2, and another I can’t remember).

That’s rather a complicated question because Judaism and Christianity are such completely different religions.

Fundamentally, it’s all about Torah (the Law) and everything else in the Tanakh (Old Testament to you) – Prophets and Writings – is a guide to understanding Torah. Not only that, there’s what is known as ‘Oral Torah’ (think ‘Talmud’) which is yet another means of understanding Torah. Torah – how to live ethical monotheism - is the central focus of Judaism in the same way that Jesus is the central focus of Christianity.

So, yes, it’s all read.

As to the ‘canon’, try this link.