Parsha List

1st Aliyah

This section recounts the story of creation in six days. On the first day G‑d made darkness and light. On the second day He formed the heavens, dividing the "upper waters" from the "lower waters." On the third day He set the boundaries of land and sea and called forth trees and greenery from the earth. On the fourth day He fixed the position of the sun, moon and stars. Fish, birds and reptiles were created on the fifth day; land-animals, and then the human being, Adam, on the sixth. G‑d ceased work on the seventh day, and sanctified it as a day of rest.

2nd Aliyah

This section discusses the events of the sixth day of creation in greater detail. After Adam was formed from the earth, G‑d placed him in a garden just east of Eden. G‑d permitted Adam to eat from any tree in the garden, with the exception of the Tree of Knowledge. Adam named all the animals and birds, and G‑d decided that Adam needed a mate.

Source: Chabad.org

נֹחַ – Noach

לֶךְ־לְךָ – Lech-Lecha

וַיֵּרָא – Vayeira

חַיֵּי שָׂרָה – Chayei Sarah

תּוֹלְדוֹת – Toldot

וַיֵּצֵא – Vayeitzei

וַיִּשְׁלַח – Vayishlach

וַיֵּשֶׁב – Vayeishev

מִקֵּץ – Mikeitz

וַיִּגַּשׁ – Vayigash

וַיְחִי – Vayechi

שְׁמוֹת – Shemot

וָאֵרָא – Va’eira

בֹּא – Bo

בְּשַׁלַּח – Beshalach

יִתְרוֹ - Yitro

מִשְׁפָּטִים – Mishpatim

תְּרוּמָה – Terumah

תְּצַוֶּה – Tetzaveh

כִּי תִשָּׂא – Ki Tisa

וַיַּקְהֵל – Vayakhel

פְּקוּדֵי – Pekudei

וַיִּקְרָא – Vayikra

צַו – Tzav

שְׁמִינִי – Shemini

תַּזְרִיעַ – Tazria

מְצֹרָע – Metzora

אַחֲרֵי מוֹת – Acharei Mot

קְדֹשִׁים – Kedoshim

אֱמוֹר - Emor

בְּהַר – Behar

בְּחֻקֹּתַי – Bechukotai

בַּמִּדְבָּר – Bamidbar

נָשֹׂא – Nasso

בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ – Beha’alotecha

שְׁלַח – Shelach

קֹרַח – Korach

חֻקַּת – Chukat

בָּלָק – Balak

פִּינְחָס – Pinchas

דְּבָרִים – Matot

In this week's reading, Massei, Moses reviews the forty years of Israelite journeys through the desert. The Torah discusses the boundaries of Israel, its division amongst the tribes, the cities which the Levites would receive, and the cities of refuge. Zelophehad's daughters are restricted to marrying within their own tribe.

מַסְעֵי - Massei

Haftarah: Jeremiah 2:4–28; 4:1–2

1st Aliyah

The Torah recounts the journeys of the Jews in the desert. In the first aliyah the Torah lists the first seven of the 42 journeys which took them from Egypt to the banks of the Jordan.

2nd Aliyah

The rest of the journeys are enumerated.

Source: Chabad.org

דְּבָרִים - Devarim

Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1–27

In this week’s Torah reading, Va’etchanan, Moses continues his attempt to impress upon the Israelites the importance of following G‑d’s commandments, the rewards which will result from obeying G‑d’s words, and the punishments they will incur if they neglect to do so. Moses recounts the story of the giving of Torah at Mount Sinai, and repeats the Ten Commandments. Moses designates cities of refuge. This portion also contains the Shema.

1st Aliyah

2nd Aliyah

Source: Chabad.org

וָאֶתְחַנַּן - Vaetchanan

Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1–26

Moses continues his talk to the Israelites, cautioning them not to fear the Canaanite armies for G‑d will wage battle for them. He also notifies them that their entry into the Land is not due to their own virtues – Moses reminds them of their many transgressions to emphasize this point – but rather, it is in the merit of the nation's Forefathers. The commandments of prayer and Grace After Meals are mentioned. The second part of the Shema is also found in this portion.

1st Aliyah

Moses recounts how he pleaded with G‑d to allow him entry into Israel. G‑d refused this request, but instructed Moses to climb a mountain from where he would see the Promised Land. Moses enjoins the people to follow G‑d’s law, and never to add to or detract from it. Moses uses the Baal Peor incident to demonstrate that those who remained faithful to G‑d survived and thrived.

2nd Aliyah

Moses implores the Israelites to treasure the Torah, praising its wisdom, its righteous and just precepts, and the closeness to G‑d it affords. He admonishes them to never forget the day when G‑d gave them the Torah, and vividly describes that awesome event, enjoining them to recount that day’s events to their children and grandchildren. He then focuses on the divine revelation, reminding them that G‑d did not appear as any image or form. Worshipping graven images, Moses warns, will result in national exile and decimation. But even when exiled, G‑d will not forsake His people, and eventually they will repent and return to G‑d. This section concludes with Moses extolling the Israelites’ uniqueness: the only nation personally delivered by G‑d from bondage, and the only people to whom G‑d revealed Himself.

Source: Chabad.org

עֵקֶב - Eikev

Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14–51:3

In this week's reading, Re'eh, Moses continues addressing the Israelites just before he passes away; just before the Israelites cross the Jordan River and enter the land of Israel. Moses commands the Israelites to proclaim certain blessings and curses on Mount Grizzim and Mount Ebal after they enter the land of Israel. He directs them to destroy all vestiges of idolatry from the Promised Land. They must then designate a city where the Divine presence will dwell in the Holy Temple, and they are forbidden from offering sacrifices elsewhere. Other topics discussed in this portion are: tithes, false prophets, the wayward city, kashrut, the Sabbatical Year, charity, and the festivals.

1st Aliyah

This section begins with a promise: if the Israelites observe G‑d's commandments, they will be blessed in a multitude of ways, including the obliteration of their Canaanite enemies. Moses enjoins the Israelites not to fear these enemies, for G‑d will miraculously deliver them into their hands. Moses instructs the Israelites to destroy all the idols and their accoutrements which they will find in Canaan. Moses then discusses their forty-year desert ordeal, and the many tests and miracles which accompanied them. Moses provides a description of many of the wonderful features of the Land of Israel, and the Israelites are commanded to bless G‑d after they eat and are sated.

2nd Aliyah

Moses admonishes the Israelites that the new-found fortune which will be their lot once they enter the Promised Land should not lead them to forget the One who provided them with the wealth. Such a blunder would lead to their destruction and ruin.

Source: Chabad.org

רְאֵה - Re'eh

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:13-14

This week’s reading, Shoftim, addresses fundamental issues pertaining to the leadership of the Jewish people. It begins with a discussion regarding judges, and later gives rules pertaining to kings, prophets and kohanim (priests). Many commandments are introduced in this week’s reading, including: appointing judges, the obligation to follow rabbinic law and the words of the prophets, the obligations of a king, the punishment for perjury, the laws of war, and the procedure for dealing with unsolved murders.

1st Aliyah

Moses informs the Israelites that they can be the recipients of either blessings or curses — blessings if they obey G‑d's commandments, and curses if they do not. He further instructs them to proclaim blessings on Mount Grizzim and curses on Mount Ebal — the exact procedure of this ceremony will be described in the Ki Tavo Torah reading (Deuteronomy 27:11-16). Moses then commands the Israelites to destroy all idols and their accessories that they will find when they enter Israel. He informs the nation that in the future G‑d will designate a specific location (Jerusalem) where He will choose to rest His Presence. All sacrifices must be offered in this location.

2nd Aliyah

Although it is forbidden to offer sacrifices in any location other than the one designated by G‑d, it is permitted to slaughter cattle for consumption purposes, but blood may never be eaten. The consumption of various tithes and sundry sacred foods is also restricted to the designated holy city.

Source: Chabad.org

שׁוֹפְטִים - Shoftim

Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12

This week's reading, Ki Teitzei, contains 74 commandments, more mitzvot than any other Torah portion. Some of the commandments discussed: the law of the rebellious son, the obligation to bury the dead without undue delay, the requirement to return a found object, the prohibition against causing pain to any living creature, the prohibition against prostitution, the laws of marriage and divorce, the procedure of the Levirate marriage, and the obligation to eradicate the memory of Amalek.

1st Aliyah

We are commanded to appoint judges in every city of Israel. These judges are instructed to adjudicate fairly. Capital punishment is prescribed for idolatry, and various idolatrous practices are banned. The sacrifices we offer to G‑d must be free of blemishes. We must follow the rulings of the Sanhedrin (the rabbinic supreme court) and of the Oral Law. Refusal to accept the Sanhedrin’s authority is a capital offense.

2nd Aliyah

Moses instructs the Israelites to coronate a king after they enter Israel. A Jewish king may not amass an excessive amount of horses, wives or personal wealth. The king writes for himself two Torah scrolls. One of them remains with him at all times—a constant reminder to remain humble and follow G‑d’s law.

Source: Chabad.org

כִּי תֵצֵא - Ki Teitzei

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-10

The Israelites are commanded to bring the first of their fruit to the Temple, and to deliver all tithes to their proper recipients. Moses explains how the blessings and curses are to be proclaimed on Mts. Grizzim and Ebal when the Jewish nation enters into Israel. He then details the blessings they will receive for following the commandments of the Torah, and the calamities which will result from disregarding them.

1st Aliyah

This section begins with a discussion regarding female captives of war, and lays down the conditions under which a soldier may marry a captive. The right of a firstborn son to a double portion of his father's inheritance is then detailed. The section concludes with the procedure for dealing with an aberrantly rebellious child.

2nd Aliyah

Commandments discussed in this section: Speedy burial of the deceased, returning a lost object to its owner, aiding a neighbor when his animal has fallen because of its burden, the prohibition against cross-dressing, and the obligation to send away a mother bird before taking its chicks or eggs.

Source: Chabad.org

כִּי־תָבוֹא - Ki Tavo

Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-20

In this week’s reading, Nitzavim, Moses gathers the Israelites on the day of his passing to enter them into a covenant with G‑d. He warns of the exile and desolation of the Holy Land that will result when Israel abandons G‑d’s laws, but assures them that they will eventually repent, and G‑d will then return His people to the Land. This portion also talks about freedom of choice and the mitzvah of teshuvah (repentance).

1st Aliyah

This section introduces us to the mitzvah of bikurim, the requirement to bring one's first fruits to the Holy Temple. This mitzvah applies to fruits and produce grown in the land of Israel, and only those for which the land of Israel is praised: wheat, barley, dates, figs, grapes, pomegranates and olives. When in the Temple, the owner of the fruits recites a brief thanksgiving prayer to G‑d and presents the produce to the priests.

2nd Aliyah

During Temple times, Jewish farmers were required to separate from their produce several different tithes. These were distributed to the priests, the Levites, the poor, and one tithe which was eaten by its owners in Jerusalem. The different tithes were not all given each year, rather there was a three-year cycle. In this aliyah, the Torah gives the procedure to be followed on the day before Passover during those years which followed the conclusion of a cycle. The farmer was to declare that he has performed all his tithing duties and then beseeches G‑d to bless His people and the Land.

Source: Chabad.org

נִצָּבִים - Nitzavim

Haftarah: Isaiah, 61:10–63:9

This week's reading, Vayelech, recounts the events of the final day of Moses' terrestrial life. Moses transferred leadership to Joshua and wrote a Torah scroll which he handed over to the Levites. Moses commanded the Israelites to gather following every Sabbatical year, and informed them of the suffering which will be their lot when they will abandon the laws of the Torah.

1st Aliyah

On the final day of his earthly life, Moses gathered all the Israelites—men, women, and children—to enter them into a covenant with G‑d.

2nd Aliyah

This covenant established the Israelites as G‑d’s exclusive nation. The covenant, Moses explained, was not limited to those who were physically present on that day; rather, it included all future generations of Jews as well.

Source: Chabad.org

וַיֵּלֶךְ - Vayelech

Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10

The bulk of this week's Torah reading, Ha'azinu, consists of a poetic song delivered by Moses and Joshua. The song is a prophecy of what will transpire to the Jews – the good and the bad – until the end of times. The portion concludes with G‑d commanding Moses to climb Mount Nebo, from where he would see the Promised Land before his passing.

1st Aliyah

Moses addressed the people, saying that he is 120 years of age on that day, and he is not permitted to cross the Jordan River together with them. Instead, Joshua will lead them, and G‑d will go before them and destroy their enemies.

2nd Aliyah

Moses continued his talk: G‑d will vanquish the inhabitants of Canaan as He did the Emorites and Bashanites. Moses enjoined the Israelites to be strong and not fear their enemies.

Source: Chabad.org

הַאֲזִינוּ - Haazinu

Haftarah: Samuel II, 22:1-51

This week's Torah reading, V'Zot HaBerachah, which is read on the holiday of Simchat Torah, recounts the blessings Moses bestowed upon each of the tribes, the story of Moses' death, and describes the greatness of his personality, prophecy and deeds.

1st Aliyah

The heavens and earth, permanent fixtures of this world, are called upon to be witnesses to the words which Moses will now say. The Torah, Moses declares, is life to this world, much as rain and dew are to vegetation. G‑d is righteous and just, and all corruption stems from His children, who are thankless and lack the wisdom to recognize the source of all their blessing.

2nd Aliyah

Moses beseeches the Israelites to contemplate their history, starting with the generation of the Tower of Babylon. When that generation sinned, G‑d could have destroyed humanity, but instead chose to spare them, only because of Israel — G‑d's portion — which was destined to arise from those people. In the desert, in a "desolate, howling wasteland," G‑d enveloped and protected the Israelites with clouds, caring for His nation as an eagle tenderly cares for his offspring, treating them like the pupil of His eye. "G‑d alone guided them, and no other god was able to disturb them."

Source: Chabad.org

וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה - V'Zot HaBerachah

Haftarah: Joshua, 1:1–18