Why are Jews the 'People of the Book'?

Jews are called the 'People of the Book' because of Judaism's deep reverence for holy texts, particularly the Torah, the Hebrew Bible, and the Talmud, the guide to Judaism.

Judaism also has deep appreciation of education, both to as a means to contribute to their society and to ensure the survival of a small nation, vastly outnumbered by others.

A crazy statistic is over 22% of the world's Noble Prize winners are Jewish, which is extra-ordinary as Jews generally only make up less than 0.2% (one in a five hundred) of the world's population.

This term originated over 1000 years ago, which categorized Jews as 'People of the Book' for possessing a written divine revelation from God, a status that granted them a protected and holy status.

This historical classification was embraced by Jews to describe their own intimate connection to their sacred texts, including the Torah, Talmud, and countless other commentaries, which are central to Jewish life, study, and worship. 

Historical context and origins of the term.

Significance of books in Jewish culture and life;

• Importance of the written word: Judaism is characterized by an inextricable bond with its sacred texts, viewing the study of these writings as a sacred act to connect with God.

  
  

• The "Book" as essential education: Jews always knew that education was the key to contributing to society and getting ahead. The term refers to the entire body of Jewish sacred literature, including the written and oral traditions, which has sustained the Jewish people throughout history, as well as science, economics and literature.

  
  

• Synagogue and worship: The Five Books of Moses are chanted aloud from scrolls during synagogue services, underscoring the importance of the text in communal worship.

  
  

• The printing press: The invention of the printing press in the 15th century led to a massive increase in the accessibility of Jewish texts like the Bible and the Talmud, further cementing the culture of reading and study. Jews were also able to easily access the tools for education.