 |
||||||
|
HOME |
Courses |
|
|
|
|
|
Parashiyot
Topic A:
Parashiyot
Bookmark this page, and you will have instant access to a Parasha Chart.
This week's Parashah Torah Exploration
Click on the name of a book to see its Parashiyot, and the Haftarah
reading.
Why are two Parashiyot read sometimes on Shabbat?
BREISHIT (Genesis)
The Book of Genesis is concerned with beginnings: the creation
of the world and the origin of humanity. It quickly shifts its
focus from universal history to the history of the Jewish people
beginning in chapter 12, with the introduction of Abraham, the
first Jew. The remainder of the book focuses on the lives of Abraham
and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Rachel and Leah, and Joseph.
The book ends with the entire family of Jacob descending into
Egypt. There are 50 chapters, divided into 12 parashiyot.
SHMOT (Exodus)
The Hebrew title 'Shmot' meaning names, comes from the first verse:
"These are the names of the sons of Israel." The English name
Exodus derived from the Greek meaning departure (like the word
Exit) refers to the main event described in the book: the departure
of the Israelites from Egypt. In the book of Exodus, we move from
stories of individuals and families to the story of the Israelite
nation. In Exodus, the Hebrews become a nation. The book of Exodus
tells of the Israelites' enslavement, and subsequent deliverance
with the 10 plagues. Moses leads the people out of Egypt, crossing
the Red Sea. They arrrive at Sinai, where they receive the 10
Commandments, and other rules. While Moses is on the mountain,
the people build a Golden Calf. The remainder of the book describes
the architectural details and the construction of a portable sanctuary,
the Mishkan. The themes of slavery and subsequent redemption form
the foundation for performance for numerous biblical laws. The
book of Shmot has 50 chapters, divided into 11 Parashiyot.
VAYIKRA (Leviticus)
The Book of Leviticus, or Levites is concerned with the ritual
laws and the sacrificial cult. It describes the details of offering
sacrifices. The book's emphasis is on purity and holiness. Even
though the sacrificial system was abandoned with the destruction
of the Second Temple in the year 70 CE, Leviticus continued to
be an important influence on Jewish life: nearly half of the 613
commandments are found in it and much of the Talmud is based on
it. In Europe, it was traditional for children beginning their
Jewish learning to start with the book of Vayikra. VaYikra is
27 chapters long, divided into 10 Parashiyot.
BEMIDBAR (Numbers)
Like the book of Leviticus, Numbers contains little 'narrative.'
As its English name suggests, it contains several lists- each
census of the Israelites. The Hebrew name comes from the first
significant word(s): On the first day of the second month, in
the second year following the exodus from the land of Egypt, in
the wilderness of Sinai, (bemidbar Sinai)....The Israelites' journey
through the desert concludes, and they get ready to enter the
Promised land. The Book of Numbers is 36 chapters long, divided
into 10 Parashiyot.
DEVARIM (Deuteronomy)
In this final book of Torah, Moses reviews much of the history
and the laws given to the Jewish people: hence the Greek name,
(taken from phrase 'Mishneh Torah, Deut. 17:18) meaning second
telling. In Deuteronomy, the belief that following God's rules
will bring blessing; while spurning God will result in calamity
is stressed. Idolatry and other false practices are continually
denounced. Many scholars identify Deuteronomy with the book of
Teaching found by Hilkiah the High Priest (during the reign of
King Josiah- II Kings 22:8) during the reforms the king was instituting
to strengthen Israel and its religion.
Click on the name of any Parasha to see a summary.
I Kings 7:40-50 (Seph.) * not read on Shabbat, but on Simhat Torah Why are two Parashiyot read sometimes on Shabbat? Since a different portion or Parashah is to be read each week,
there must be at least one Parashah for every week of the year.
Since Hebrew months are lunar, there are 354 days in a 12 month
year. In order to keep this lunar month calendar synchronized
with the solar year, an additional month (Adar II) is added (approximately
once every three years). This means that dfferent years will have
a different number of parashiyot read. Leap years may need up
to 54 different portions. On other years (ie., those without the
extra weeks), a few portions (typically shorter than usual) are
combined into one longer portion. Hence, some years Tazria and
M'tzora are separate parashiyot, and in other years joined: Tazria-M'tzora.
Combined Parashiyot are termed Parashiyot Mehubarot (Parashah
Mehuberet, sing.). In addition, when the extra 'diaspora' day of a holiday falls
on Shabbat, the holiday has its own specially assigned reading,
but communities in Israel (and most liberal congregations) continue
with the regularly scheduled Shabbat reading. This means that
different Torah portions are read until the communities reach
a combined parashah. Those reading ahead separate the parashah
and spread it over two Shabbatot, thereby restoring the accepted
arrangement. Special Sabbaths: During the year, there are several Shabbatot when a special portion
is read in addition to the regularly scheduled one, or when a
special Haftarah replaces the normally assigned reading, or both.
Parasha
Chapter and Verse
Haftarah Reading
§ portions occasionally combined with the preceding portion
Occasion
Additional Reading
Chapter/Verse HAFTARAH