Weekly Torah Portions

The Torah begins with the creation of the world in six days, the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, and the generations leading to Noah. It establishes humanity's relationship with God and the consequences of disobedience.

God decides to bring a flood to destroy the corrupt world, saving only Noah, his family, and representatives of all animals in an ark. After the flood, God makes a covenant with Noah symbolized by the rainbow. The portion ends with the Tower of Babel and the genealogy leading to Abraham.

God calls Abraham to leave his homeland and travel to Canaan, promising to make him a great nation. The portion covers Abraham's journeys, his covenant with God, the birth of Ishmael, and the commandment of circumcision.

Three angels visit Abraham announcing Sarah will have a son. Abraham pleads for Sodom. Lot escapes Sodom's destruction. Isaac is born. The portion climaxes with the Binding of Isaac (Akeidah), testing Abraham's ultimate faith.

Sarah dies and Abraham purchases the Cave of Machpelah for her burial. Abraham sends his servant Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac, who meets Rebecca at the well. Abraham dies and is buried alongside Sarah.

Isaac and Rebecca have twins, Esau and Jacob, who struggle from the womb. Esau sells his birthright. Jacob, with Rebecca's help, receives Isaac's blessing meant for Esau. Jacob flees to Haran to escape Esau's wrath.

Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching heaven. He works for Laban, marrying Leah and Rachel. Eleven sons and one daughter are born. After twenty years, Jacob leaves Laban and prepares to meet Esau.

Jacob wrestles with an angel and receives the name Israel. He reconciles with Esau. The tragic story of Dinah unfolds. Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin. Isaac dies and is buried by his sons.

Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery. Judah and Tamar's story. Joseph rises in Potiphar's house but is imprisoned after false accusations. He interprets dreams for Pharaoh's servants in prison.

Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams predicting seven years of plenty followed by famine. He becomes viceroy of Egypt. His brothers come to buy grain, not recognizing him. Joseph tests them.

Judah pleads for Benjamin. Joseph reveals himself to his brothers in one of the Torah's most emotional scenes. Jacob and his family move to Egypt, settling in Goshen.

Jacob blesses his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh, then delivers prophecies about each of his twelve sons. Jacob dies and is buried in Canaan. Joseph forgives his brothers and dies in Egypt.

The Israelites multiply in Egypt and are enslaved. Moses is born, raised in Pharaoh's palace, flees to Midian, and encounters God at the burning bush. God commissions Moses to free the Israelites.

God reaffirms His covenant and sends the first seven plagues upon Egypt: blood, frogs, lice, wild beasts, pestilence, boils, and hail. Pharaoh's heart remains hardened.

The final three plagues—locusts, darkness, and death of the firstborn—strike Egypt. The Israelites receive laws of Passover and the Exodus begins. They leave Egypt after 430 years.

The Israelites leave Egypt, pursued by Pharaoh. The sea splits, they cross on dry land. Moses leads them in song. They receive manna and water from a rock, and battle Amalek.

Jethro advises Moses on leadership. The Israelites arrive at Mount Sinai. God gives the Ten Commandments in the most significant revelation in human history.

A comprehensive code of civil and criminal law covering servants, damages, theft, lending, and social justice. The people accept the Torah saying 'We will do and we will understand.'

God instructs Moses to collect offerings for building the Tabernacle. Detailed instructions are given for the Ark, Table, Menorah, curtains, and structure of the portable sanctuary.

Instructions for the eternal lamp, priestly garments including the breastplate and ephod, and the consecration ceremony of Aaron and his sons as priests.

Census instructions, the Golden Calf incident, Moses breaks the tablets, pleads for forgiveness, and receives new tablets. God reveals the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy.

Moses assembles the people and instructs them about Shabbat. The people donate materials enthusiastically. Bezalel and Oholiab lead the construction of the Tabernacle.

An accounting of all materials used for the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle is completed and erected. God's glory fills the sanctuary, leading the Israelites with a cloud by day and fire by night.

God calls to Moses from the Tabernacle and outlines the laws of various offerings: burnt offerings, meal offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings.

Detailed instructions for the priests regarding offerings. The seven-day inauguration ceremony of Aaron and his sons consecrates them for priestly service.

On the eighth day, the Tabernacle service begins. Nadab and Abihu die offering strange fire. The laws of kosher animals, fish, birds, and insects are detailed.

Laws of ritual purity following childbirth. Detailed instructions for diagnosing and dealing with tzaraat (often translated as leprosy), a spiritual skin condition.

The purification process for one healed from tzaraat. Laws about tzaraat on houses. Laws of bodily discharges and their purification rituals.

The Yom Kippur service is detailed, including the High Priest's entry into the Holy of Holies and the scapegoat ritual. Forbidden relationships are enumerated.

A collection of ethical and ritual laws covering all aspects of life. Includes 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' honoring parents, honest business practices, and more.

Special laws for priests. The Jewish calendar of festivals is outlined: Shabbat, Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot. Laws of the Menorah and showbread.

Laws of the Sabbatical year (Shemitah) when the land rests. The Jubilee year when slaves are freed and land returns to original owners. Economic justice principles.

Blessings for following God's commandments and curses for disobedience. Even in exile, God will not abandon Israel. Laws of vows and valuations conclude Leviticus.

A census of the Israelites is taken in the wilderness. The arrangement of the tribal camps around the Tabernacle is established. The Levites' special duties are assigned.

The longest parsha in the Torah. Levite duties continue. Laws of the Nazir and Sotah. The Priestly Blessing. Tribal leaders bring identical offerings for the Tabernacle dedication.

The Menorah lighting. The Levites are consecrated. The people leave Sinai guided by the cloud. They complain about food and receive quail. Miriam speaks against Moses and is stricken with tzaraat.

Twelve spies scout the Land of Israel. Ten give a negative report causing national despair. Only Caleb and Joshua remain faithful. The generation is condemned to wander 40 years. The mitzvah of tzitzit is given.

Korach leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. The earth swallows the rebels. A plague follows. Aaron's staff blossoms, confirming his priesthood. Priestly and Levite gifts are detailed.

The Red Heifer purification ritual. Miriam dies. Moses strikes the rock instead of speaking to it and is forbidden from entering the Land. Aaron dies. Victories over hostile nations.

King Balak of Moab hires the prophet Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam's donkey speaks. Instead of curses, Balaam delivers beautiful blessings. Israel sins with Moabite women.

Pinchas is rewarded for his zealotry with a covenant of peace. A new census is taken. The daughters of Zelophehad win inheritance rights. Joshua is appointed Moses' successor. Festival offerings are detailed.

Laws of vows and oaths. War against Midian. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh request to settle east of the Jordan River.

A summary of the 42 journeys through the wilderness. Boundaries of the Promised Land. Cities of refuge for accidental killers. Laws about tribal inheritance through marriage.

Moses begins his final address to Israel, recounting the journey from Sinai, the sin of the spies, and battles with Sihon and Og. Always read before Tisha B'Av.

Moses pleads to enter the Land but is refused. The Ten Commandments are repeated. The Shema is given. Warnings against idolatry and intermarriage.

Blessings for obedience. The second set of tablets. Don't forget God when prosperous. The second paragraph of Shema about reward and punishment.

A choice between blessing and curse. Centralized worship in Jerusalem. Kosher animals reviewed. Tithes and charity. The three pilgrimage festivals.

Establishing justice: judges, kings, priests, and prophets. Rules of warfare. The unsolved murder procedure.

Contains 74 commandments—more than any other parsha. Laws cover family, kindness to animals, honest business, and remembering Amalek.

First fruits declaration. Blessings and curses on Mounts Gerizim and Ebal. The 'Tochacha'—a long section of rebuke and warning about exile.

The covenant is renewed with all Israel. The Torah promises that repentance is always possible and 'not in heaven.' Life and death, blessing and curse are set before the people.

The shortest parsha. Moses, at 120, transfers leadership to Joshua. The Torah is written and placed beside the Ark. Hakhel—gathering the nation every seven years to hear the Torah.

Moses' song—a poetic prophecy of Israel's future: faithfulness, sin, punishment, and ultimate redemption. Moses is told to ascend Mount Nebo to die.

Moses blesses each tribe. He ascends Mount Nebo, views the Promised Land, and dies. The Torah concludes praising Moses as the greatest prophet. Read on Simchat Torah.