Timeline of Major Jewish Sacred Texts – From Torah to Shulchan Aruch

Discover the chronological timeline of the most important Jewish holy texts, from the divine revelation of the Torah at Mount Sinai to the practical law code of the Shulchan Aruch. This comprehensive guide presents the foundational Jewish sacred writings in clear historical order, covering the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), Talmud, Midrash, Mishneh Torah by Maimonides, the Zohar as the central text of Kabbalah, and other essential works that continue to shape Jewish tradition and law today.

Whether you are researching the date of the Torah revelation, the compilation of the Talmud, the history of the Shulchan Aruch, the order of Jewish holy books, Maimonides' Mishneh Torah, or the timeline of the Zohar and Kabbalah, this overview provides a straightforward, chronological understanding of how these sacred texts developed over centuries.

When Were the Major Jewish Sacred Texts Written or Compiled?

13th–12th century BCE

Revelation of the Torah at Mount Sinai. God gives Moses the Written Torah (Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) – the most sacred part of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible).

10th–5th century BCE

Composition and canonization of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible).

- Torah finalized by the time of Ezra (5th century BCE).

- Nevi'im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings) completed.

- The 24-book Jewish canon becomes widely accepted by 2nd century CE.

3rd century BCE – 2nd century CE

Early Midrash begins – interpretive explanations of the Torah (both legal/halakhic and narrative/aggadic).

200 CE

Mishnah compiled by Rabbi Judah the Prince – the first written version of the Oral Torah.

350–450 CE

Jerusalem Talmud (Talmud Yerushalmi) completed in the Land of Israel.

500–600 CE

Babylonian Talmud (Talmud Bavli) completed – the most authoritative and widely studied rabbinic text after the Tanakh.

3rd–13th centuries CE

Major Midrash collections compiled (e.g., Midrash Rabbah, Mekhilta, Sifre).

1170–1180 CE

Mishneh Torah written by Maimonides (Rambam) – the first complete, systematic code of Jewish law.

1280–1286 CE

Zohar composed – the central text of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism).

1563–1565 CE

Shulchan Aruch by Rabbi Joseph Karo (with Ashkenazi glosses by Rabbi Moses Isserles) – the standard practical code of Jewish law used today.

Quick Summary: Order of Jewish Sacred Texts by Time

1. Torah / Tanakh (~13th–2nd century BCE)

2. Mishnah (~200 CE)

3. Jerusalem Talmud (~400 CE)

4. Babylonian Talmud (~500–600 CE)

5. Midrash collections (~3rd–13th centuries CE)

6. Mishneh Torah (12th century)

7. Zohar (late 13th century)

8. Shulchan Aruch (16th century)

Hierarchy of Authority in Judaism

1. Tanakh (especially the Torah) – divine revelation, highest authority.

2. Mishnah & Talmud – authoritative explanation of the Oral Torah.

3. Midrash & legal codes (Mishneh Torah, Shulchan Aruch) – binding interpretations.

4. Kabbalah (Zohar) – mystical teachings, revered especially in Hasidic and Sephardic traditions.

This timeline shows the development from divine revelation to practical law codes still used in Jewish life today.