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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