About Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
Rabbi Jack Abramowitz served as Director of Programs for NCSY before becoming Associate Director of the Pepa and Rabbi Joseph Karasick Department of Synagogue Services. Rabbi Abramowitz holds degrees in Jewish studies, communications and Higher Education Administration. Among his accomplishments, he authored NCSY's Torah on One Foot series of educational pamphlets and created negiah.org, the first abstinence web site for Jewish teens. Rabbi Abramowitz is the author of The Shnayim Mikra Companion on Torah, The Nach Yomi Companion volumes 1 and 2 on the books of the Prophets and the Writings, and The Tzniyus Book.

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Taryag: A Mitzvah a Day

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Tanach part 2: Neviim


The Hebrew Bible is called Tanach, an abbreviation for Torah (the Law), Neviim (the Prophets) and Kesuvim (the Writings)...

Neviim Rishonim (Early Prophets)

Yehoshua – Joshua (24 chapters) - Written by Joshua* circa 2516 (1245 BCE); The conquest of Canaan and the division of the land. Covers events from 2488-2516 (1273-1245 BCE).
*Completed by Elazar and Pinchas

Shoftim – Judges (21 chapters) - Written by Samuel circa 2881 (880 BCE); Conclusion of the conquest, life and wars under the Judges (including Deborah, Samson and others), civil war against Benjamin. Covers events from 2533-2870 (1228-891 BCE).

Shmuel – Samuel (I – 31 chapters; II – 24 chapters) - Written by Samuel* circa 2884 (877 BCE); Samuel the last Judge, anointment of King Saul, Saul forfeits the Kingdom and is replaced by David, David’s reign. Covers events from 2830-2921 (931-840 BCE).
*Completed by Nathan and Gad

Melachim – Kings (I – 22 chapters; II – 25 chapters) - Written by Jeremiah, 3352 (410 BCE); Death of David, Solomon’s reign, building the Temple, Israel divided into two nations, rule of the kings, exile of Ten Tribes (by Assyria), exile of Judah (by Babylonia). Covers events from 2924-3339 (837-423 BCE).

Neviim Achronim (Later Prophets)

Yeshaya – Isaiah (66 chapters) - Prophecies of Isaiah, transcribed by Hezekiah and his court circa 3228 (533 BCE); The people are rebuked and consoled, the fates of nations are foretold and the Messiah is described. Covers events from 3142-3228 (619-533 BCE).

Yirmiya – Jeremiah (52 chapters) - Written by Jeremiah, 3352 (410 BCE); Prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem and the fates of the nations; the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian exile. Covers events from 3298-3346 (463-415 BCE).

Yechezkel – Ezekiel (48 chapters) - Prophecies of Ezekiel, transcribed by the Men of the Great Assembly circa 3450 (311 BCE); Visions of God’s glory, the fall of Jerusalem, the Valley of the Dry Bones, visions of the Third Temple. Covers events from 3332-3352 (429-410 BCE).

Trei Asar - The Twelve “Minor” Prophets - Prophecies transcribed by the Men of the Great Assembly circa 3450 (311 BCE), collected into a single volume due to their small size:
Hoshea – Hosea (14 chapters) - Hoshea’s call to prophecy, reproof, God’s love for Israel. Circa 3130-3200 (631-561 BCE);
Yoel – Joel (4 chapters) - A plague of locusts, Israel urged to repent. Circa 3250 (511 BCE);
Amos – Amos (9 chapters) - God will punish the nations, repentance urged. 3140-circa 3200 (621-561 BCE);
Ovadya – Obadiah (1 chapter) - The fate of Edom. Circa 3030 (731 BCE);
Yonah – Jonah (4 chapters) - Jonah disobeys God and is swallowed by the fish. Circa 3055 (706 BCE);
Micha – Micah (7 chapters) - Moral decline of the nation, Jerusalem spared. 3167-circa 3200 (594-561 BCE);
Nachum – Nahum (3 chapters) - Nineveh is destroyed, Judah is saved. Circa 3250 (511 BCE);
Chavakuk – Habakkuk (3 chapters) - A discussion of the nature of evil, a prayer to God. Circa 3250 (511 BCE);
Tzefanya – Zephaniah (3 chapters) - Evildoers will be destroyed, Israel is to enlighten the world. Circa 3300 (461 BCE);
Chagai – Haggai (2 chapters) - Longing to return from exile and rebuild the Temple. 3408-circa 3448 (353-273 BCE);
Zecharya – Zechariah (14 chapters) - Obstacles faced in rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple. 3408-circa 3448 (353-273 BCE);
Malachi – Malachi (3 chapters) - Israel rebuked for their sins. 3408-circa 3448 (353-273 BCE).





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