The Book of Baruch is not included in the biblical canon for several reasons, primarily related to its origins and acceptance among different religious traditions.
First, the Book of Baruch was written during the Second Temple period, a time when various Jewish texts were being produced. However, it did not receive the same level of acceptance as other texts that were ultimately included in the Hebrew Bible. The criteria for inclusion often revolved around the text’s perceived antiquity, prophetic authority, and authenticity.
Additionally, Baruch is considered part of the Apocrypha, a collection of ancient texts that some Christian denominations recognize but others do not. The Protestant Reformation further solidified the exclusion of the Apocrypha from the biblical canon, as reformers such as Martin Luther emphasized returning to the texts that were widely accepted by early Jewish communities.
Moreover, the Book of Baruch’s themes and messages did not align closely enough with the theological beliefs of certain key groups involved in the formation of the biblical canon. As a result, while it may have been read and valued by some early Christians, it was ultimately left out of both the Jewish and Protestant traditions.