Representations of myth in the Jewish religious imagination: The Torah as an example

Abstract

The research aims to study the role of myth in shaping human cultural and religious consciousness by analyzing the nature of mythological representations in the religious text (the Torah) and its relationship with religious beliefs and rituals. The research also raises questions about the relationship between myth and religion, how myths crystallize in religious texts such as the story of the creation of man, and the extent of their influence in shaping the mental and cultural structure of societies.

The results of the study showed that myth is one of the most important representations of man's initial cognitive representations. It reflects his quest to understand existence and explain natural and social phenomena, and constitutes an essential part of the religious text as it expresses beliefs and rituals and organizes man's relationship with God and society. In religious texts such as the Torah, ancient creation myths are used to impose beliefs that guide social and religious behavior, and the myth establishes an integrated mental and cultural structure for society that makes its thinking and behavior consistent with a special logic linked to cultural beliefs and symbols