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.

Recent Posts

Taryag: A Mitzvah a Day

Questions? Contact us at taryag@ou.org

Tanach part 3: Kesuvim


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

Tehillim – Psalms (150 chapters) - Composed by David, incorporating the work of ten “elders” (Adam, Malki-Tzedek, Abraham, Moses, Heyman, Yedusun, Asaf and the three sons of Korach), circa 2883-2924 (878-837 BCE); Songs of praise to God, many of which are now among our most common prayers.

Mishlei – Proverbs (31 chapters) - Composed by Solomon, transcribed by Hezekiah and his court circa 3220 (541 BCE); * Words of wisdom, the importance of Torah and trust in God, Eishes Chayil (“A Woman of Valor”).
*Solomon would have originally composed Proverbs during his reign, 2924-2964 (837-797 BCE)

Iyov – Job (42 chapters) - Written by Moses sometime between 2448-2488 (1313-1273 BCE);* The story of Job’s trials and his debates with his friends on suffering and the nature of God.
*The Talmud in Baba Basra 15a-b debates when Job lived – or whether he ever actually lived at all! We have chosen to go with the commonly-accepted opinion that the Book of Job is a parable written by Moses; see there for other opinions.

Chameish Megillos (The Five Scrolls)

Shir HaShirim – Song of Songs (8 chapters) - Composed by Solomon, transcribed by Hezekiah and his court circa 3220 (541 BCE);* The relationship between God and Israel presented in the form of a love song. According to the Mishna (Yadayim 3:5), Shir HaShirim is the “holiest of the holy” among the Writings. Read on Passover.
*Solomon would have originally composed Song of Songs during his reign, 2924-2964 (837-797 BCE)

Rus – Ruth (4 chapters) - Written by Samuel circa 2884 (877 BCE); The story of Ruth, a righteous Moabite convert and the ancestor of King David. Read on Shavuot. Covers events circa 2792 (969 BCE).

Eicha – Lamentations (5 chapters) - Written by Jeremiah, 3321 (440 BCE); Mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Covers events in 3338 (423 BCE)*
*Eicha was written before the actual destruction of Jerusalem, in an effort to inspire repentance; see Jeremiah chapter 36.

Koheles – Ecclesiastes (12 chapters) - Composed by Solomon, transcribed by Hezekiah and his court circa 3220 (541 BCE);* Philosophic reflection on the nature of man and the meaning of life. Read on Succos.
*Solomon would have originally composed Ecclesiastes during his reign, 2924-2964 (837-797 BCE)

Esther – Esther (10 chapters) - Written by the Men of the Great Assembly circa 3450 (311 BCE);* Through Mordechai and Esther, God saves the Jews of Persia from Haman’s plot. Read on Purim. Covers events from 3395-3406 (366-355 BCE).
*From the letter distributed in 3406 (355 BCE) by Mordechai, a member of the Great Assembly.

Daniel – Daniel (12 chapters) - Written by the Men of the Great Assembly circa 3450 (311 BCE);* Prophecies of Daniel in exile, the fiery furnace, the writing on the wall, the lion’s den, the Messianic era. Covers events from 3319-3392 (442-369 BCE)
*Daniel was a member of the Great Assembly.

Ezra-Nechemya – Ezra-Nehemiah (Ezra – 10 chapters; Nehemiah – 13 chapters) - Written by Ezra circa 3448 (313 BCE); Return from exile and rebuilding of the Temple, rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, revitalization. Covers events from 3390-3438 (371-323 BCE).

Divrei HaYamim – Chronicles (I – 29 chapters; II – 36 chapters) - Written by Ezra circa 3448 (313 BCE);* A review of Jewish history, from creation through Cyrus, king of Persia, focusing heavily on the Davidic dynasty. Covers events from Year 1-3390 (3760-371 BCE).
*Completed by Nehemiah



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