My father, a lost Aramean

Exploring the narratives of the Pentateuch, this essay invites readers to view the Torah not just as a sacred text of Judaism but as a collection of diverse writings that shaped early Jewish identity during the Persian and Hellenistic periods. Rather than treating these texts as mere historical sources, it emphasizes their literary qualities and their role in constructing a collective memory for Judaism. This perspective highlights the significance of these narratives in the development of Jewish historiography and cultural identity.