On the Five Books of Moses

The Five Books of Moses is a single book of five sections presented in the following order: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Neither in Genesis nor in the first part of Exodus is a social structure warranted, because in neither setting is such a structure contemplated. By contrast, as a precious gift, for the second part of Exodus, and thereafter for all of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, God fashions a social structure intended to promote spiritual elevation in his chosen nation, the Israelites; tragically, because the Israelites pervert his efforts to do so as often as they can; as in one hideous moment he perverts it, and abets catastrophe.