The Writings (Ketuvim)
תהילים
Poems of despair, hope, gratitude, and supplication to God, attributed to David and others.
משלי
Guidance for living a wise, moral, and righteous life, in the form of poems and short statements.
איוב
Satan convinces God to strike a righteous man with tragedy, spurring conversations about suffering.
שיר השירים
Poetic conversations of two lovers, traditionally read as a metaphor for God and Israel.
רות
A Moabite widow remains loyal to her mother-in-law and to Israel, embarking on a new beginning.
איכה
Laments of Jerusalem's destruction, grappling with theological explanations.
קהלת
An exploration of the meaning of life, reckoning with death, futility, and purpose.
אסתר
Esther becomes queen of Persia and foils a plot to destroy the Jews, establishing the Purim holiday.
דניאל
A Jewish advisor to Babylonian kings interprets dreams and miraculously escapes danger.
עזרא
Rebuilding the Temple after decades of exile and religious revival led by Ezra the scribe.
נחמיה
Rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and the nation's commitment to observe the commandments.
דברי הימים א
Recounts of events in the Torah and early Prophets, focusing on King David.
דברי הימים ב
Recounts of events in the Prophets, from Solomon through the First Temple's destruction.