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The Torah, also known in book form as the Chumash, meaning “Five” Books of Moses, is studied and chanted aloud in weekly segments known as the parsha, or “portion.” This annual process ends and starts all over again on the holy day known as Simchat Torah, which is a day of “Rejoicing in the Torah.” Since Judaism follows a lunar cycle, with certain years containing leap “months,” one year’s Jewish calendar does not help with the next. For the same reason, in some years two portions will be assigned to one date. On festivals and holidays special portions are read that go out of order with the sequence of the year.
Every parsha has a name given to it; this name is derived from an early word or phrase in its verses. For example the first portion is named after its first word, Bereishit, “In the beginning.” Here is a list of all the Torah portions in order:
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The 54 Portions of the Torah |
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Name Book Verses |
Name Book Verses |
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Genesis Bereshit 1:1-6:8 Noach 6:9-11:32 Lech-Lecha 12:1-17:27 Vayera 18:1-22:24 Chayei-Sarah 23:1-25:18 Toldot 25:19-28:9 Vayetze 28:10-32:2 Vayishlach 32:3-36:43 Vayeshev 37:1-40:23 Miketz 41:1-44:17 Vayigash 44:18-47:27 Vayechi 47:28-50:26 Exodus Shemot 1:1-6:1 Vaera 6:2-9:35 Bo 10:1-13:16 Beshalach 13:17-17:16 Yitro 18:1-20:23 Mishpatim 21:1-24:18 Teruma 25:1-27:19 Tetzave 27:20-30:10 Ki-Tisa 30:11-34:35 Vayakhel 35:1-38:20 Pekudei 38:21-40:38 Leviticus Vayikra 1:1-5:26 Tzav 6:1-8:36 Shemini 9:1-11:47 |
Tazria 12:1-13:59 Acharei-Mot 16:1-18:30 Kedoshim 19:1-20:27 Emor 21:1-24:23 Behar 25:1-26:2 Bechukotai 26:3-27:34 Numbers Bamidbar 1:1-4:20 Naso 4:21-7:89 Behaalotcha 8:1-12:15 Shelach-Lecha 13:1-15:15 Korach 16:1-18:32 Chukat 19:1-22:1 Balak 22:2-25:9 Pinchas 25:10-30:1 Matot 30:2-32:42 Masei 33:1-36:13 Deuteronomy Vaetchanan 3:23-7:11 Ekev 7:12-11:25 Reeh 11:26-16:17 Shoftim 16:18-21:9 Kitetze 21:10-25:19 Ki Tavo 26:1-29:8 Nitzavim 29:9-30:20 Vayelech 31:1-31:30 Ha-azinu 32:1-32:52 Vezot Habracha 33:1-34:12 |
Your Haftorah portion will be drawn from the post biblical period Jewish sacred texts known as Neviim, “Prophets.” These are found in the TaNaKh, the full canon of the Jewish bible. The TaNaKh includes the Torah (Five Books of Moses), the Neviim, (Joshua, Judges, Kings, and prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Micah, Habakkuk, Zechariah and Malachi) and the Ketuvim (Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Book of Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nechemiah and Chronicles.)
Be Advised that:
It is always important to check carefully for what Torah portion is assigned to a given date.
Hebcal.com is an easy place to look up which Torah and haftorah (prophetic) portions are matched with any given Shabbat in any year.
On occasion two Torah portions will be assigned to one Shabbat in order to fit the full sequence of readings into a given year
Holidays have special portions assigned, not simply the next portion in the sequence.
Traditionally, there are certain black out dates during which Jewish life cycle events are prohibited due to their proximity to other sacred occasions. Check Living Jewish Life Cycle (below) for these specifics.
Perfect for gifts, events and study, these 52 Mitzvah Cards convey many of the core spiritual practices of a meaningful Jewish life.
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