Weekly Torah Portion

There are 54 weekly portions in the Torah. Torah reading follows an annual cycle beginning and ending on Simchat Torah, with the divisions corresponding to the Hebrew calendar. These Torah portions make up the story of the Jewish people. Please peruse the summaries below to select a portion that has special meaning to you. If you prefer, we will gladly select one for you.

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BERESHEIT

The world is created in six days.

NOACH

A flood destroys the world. God’s rainbow promises that the world will never again be destroyed in its entirety.

LECH LECHA

Abraham leaves Mesopotamia for the Promised Land.

VA'ERA

Abraham welcomes three angels into his tent and learns that his wife Sarah will give birth to a son.

CHAYE SARAH

Abraham’s servant finds a suitable wife, Rebecca, for Abraham’s son Isaac.

TOLEDOT

The birth of Esau and Jacob. Isaac blesses Jacob.

VAYETZE

God appears to Jacob in a dream. Jacob works fourteen years and marries Leah and Rachel.

VAYISHLACH

Jacob and Esau reunite after twenty years. Rachel dies and is buried in Bethlehem.

VAYESHEV

Joseph's brothers strip him of his coat of many colors and throw him into a pit.

MIKETZ

Joseph successfully interprets Pharaoh’s dreams. Joseph is appointed viceroy.

VAYIGASH

Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, who are dumbfounded.

VAYECHI

Jacob blesses his sons. Joseph dies at the end of the book at age 110.

SHEMOT

Moses is saved by Pharaoh’s daughter. God appears to Moses at the burning bush.

VAYERA

God brings plagues upon the Egyptians. Pharaoh’s heart hardens and he refuses to let the Israelites go.

BO

Egyptian firstborn children are slain by God. The Israelites hastily leave Egypt and bake matzah from unleavened dough.

BESHALACH

The waters of the Red Sea divide to make a path for the Israelites.

YITRO

Jethro, Moses’ father-in law, advises him to appoint judges so as to ease his burden. Moses receives the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.

MISHPATIM

Moses instructs the Israelites in the Law.

TEN COMMANDMENTS

TERUMAH

The tabernacle is constructed.

TETZAVEH

Aaron and his sons are put in charge of the menorah. The priestly garments are described in great detail.

KI TISA

The Israelites build a golden calf; when Moses sees it he shatters the tablets containing the Ten Commandments.

VAYAKHEL

The people bring an array of gifts for the tabernacle until they are told to stop.

PEKUDE

The cloud of glory covers the completed tabernacle as the Israelites stand in the distance.

VAYIKRA

God reveals the sacrificial laws.

TZAV

Moses anoints Aaron and his sons as priests.

SHEMINI

Laws describing kosher and nonkosher animals are enumerated.

TAZRIA

Cleanliness and uncleanliness are defined in relation to childbirth and leprosy.

METZORA

The laws for the purification of the leper after he has healed are discussed.

ACHARE MOT

Aaron’s sons die. Aaron chooses by lot a goat and a scapegoat.

KEDOSHIM

More laws are set forth, including, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

EMOR

Festival seasons are described in detail.

BEHAR

The sabbatical and jubilee years are discussed.

BECHUKOTAI

The punishment for rejecting God’s covenant is discussed.

BEMIDBAR

Description of the Israelites’ encampments during their journeys through the desert.

NASO

Regulations concerning Nazirites and the threefold priestly benediction.

BEHA'ALOTECHA

Kindling of the menorah. Seventy elders are delegated to serve under Moses.

SHELACH LECHA

Twelve spies are dispatched to survey the land of Canaan. Two of the spies return with a positive report.

KORAH

Korach refuses to accept the leadership of Moses and Aaron. He and his assembly are killed by an earthquake.

CHUKAT

The laws regarding the red heifer are enumerated. Moses strikes the rock and water gushes forth.

BALAK

Balak, king of Moab, sends Bilaam to curse the Israelites. Instead, Bilaam gives his blessing to them.

PINCHAS

The daughters of Zelophechad are given their father’s inheritance. Moses chooses Joshua as his successor.

MATOT

Moses informs the tribal heads regarding the laws of vowing.

MAS'EY

The detailed account of the various way stations on the Israelites’ route to the Promised Land. Reference is made to the cities of refuge.

DEVARIM

Moses explains and interprets the law to the people.

VA'ETCHANAN

The Ten Commandments are repeated, with slight variations. The cities of refuge are mentioned. The first section of the Shema is begun with, “You shall love the Lord your God.”

EKEV

The Shema continues with the second paragraph, which deals with the theme of reward and punishment.

RE'EH

Moses continues his address, telling the people that obedience will bring them blessing, whereas disobedience will bring them curses.

SHOFETIM

Moses warns the people against idolatry. He also reminds the people of the importance of pursuing justice.

KI TETZE

Moses reviews a variety of laws intended to strengthen family life and human decency in Israel. Those laws refer to lost property, the educational responsibility of parents to their children, and kindness to animals, among other things.

KI TAVO

The laws of tithing and first fruits arc discussed.

NITZAVIM

Moses continues his farewell speech and God tells the people to choose life.

VAYELECH

Joshua is appointed successor to Moses. Moses completes the writing of the Torah.

HA'AZINU

Moses’ farewell song—a beautiful poem in which he calls upon heaven and earth to witness God’s dependability.

VEZOT HA-BERACHAH

Moses blesses the Israelites, tribe by tribe. Moses ascends mount Nebo to the summit of Pisgah and views the whole land. Moses dies on the mountain. The Israelites mourn him for thirty days. Joshua is filled with the spirit of wisdom and the people heed him.

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