The Bible

It is the SACRED BOOK for the Jewish and Christian religion.  The Bible is a series of books composed in three languages - Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek - over a period of 1000 years, written by different authors, by an entire people.  Highlights of the drafting of the A.T.  : 1. The first occurs during the reign of King Solomon (X century BC) 2. The second moment is during the reign of Josiah, king of Judah (VII century BC) 3. The third, finally, is the period in whose Ezra and Nehemiah (5th century BC) work on the definitive redaction of the Pentateuch and of the whole Bible, that is, of the writings existing up to that moment.  CANON In Greek it means "MEASURE".  Indicates the exact list of biblical books to be considered inspired.  INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE WORKSHOP ACTIVITY: SIMILARITY AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN JEWS AND CHRISTIANS Israel has understood its historical reality as a journey that proceeds from God and leads to God in a great mutual dialogue.  The religion of Israel is a revealed religion, because it finds its foundation in the fact that God manifested himself directly to man.  For the Jews this revelation has a written expression in the Bible, the sacred book which contains the Word that God has addressed to men throughout their history and which outlines God's plan of salvation. For Christians too, God is revealed in history and they share with Judaism that part narrated in the Old Testament.  However, while the Jews await the Messiah promised by the Lord through the prophets, Christians have recognized in Jesus of Nazareth the Son of God incarnate, sent by the Father for the salvation of all humanity.  For both religions, the Bible is a journey of man WITH God and TOWARDS God. The basis of the relationship between God and man is the covenant, through which God first chooses Israel, blesses and defends it, gives it his Law brings him to salvation.  In turn, the people choose God, listen to his Word and observe his laws.  Sometimes he does not respect the covenant with God, and is forcefully called to order by the prophets.  The message of the prophets wants to defend and deepen the bond between the Lord and his people: not just an external pact, but a communion of life, a relationship of love that requires absolute fidelity.  God's preference for Israel is renewed for Christians in the choice of the first Christian community as his new people.  God's interventions in history have the ancient covenant as their center and object;  the succession of these actions is projected towards a deeper intervention: the sending of Christ who inaugurates the Kingdom of God in the world.  Behind the writings of the NT there is therefore a community that believes, testifies and gives reasons for its faith in Jesus Christ.