PARSHA OF THE WEEK
Vayikra
Parsha Date
March 25, 2023
Torah Verses
Leviticus 1:1–5:26
Parsha Calendar & List: Torah Portion By Date For 2022
Use the tool below to discover the full list of Torah Portions for the coming year, with links to videos and guides.
What Is This Week’s Parsha
Weekly Torah Portion App
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The Torah Portions
Genesis
We begin the Book of Bereishit with the amazing creation of the world. Reading Genesis takes us on a journey through the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, where we witness the birth of the future 12 tribes of Israel. We read about sibling rivalry, deceit, betrayal and love affairs – all provoking questions that apply to our lives today.
Exodus
In the Book of Shemot, the Israelites are enslaved by the Egyptians, but then they are led out of Egypt – through Moses, God’s plagues, and then the spitting of the sea. We follow the Israelites to freedom, until we reach Mount Sinai, where the Israelites are given the 10 commandments and more. We’re also taught our first Biblical laws, and given instructions about the Mishkan, the Tabernacle.
Leviticus
The Book of Vayikra is an important book for commandments and laws. When we read Leviticus, we study the intricate and various laws related to the important Jewish holidays, the Temple, kedusha, and other holy and spiritual matters.
Numbers
Before entering the Promised Land, the Israelites spend 40 years wandering the desert. And that’s exactly what happens in the Book of Bamidbar. Through their experiences, we learn about the power of leadership and growth; we see what it takes for Moses to help the nation to spiritually prepare for the Land of Israel.
Deuteronomy
Before entering the Promised Land, the Israelites spend 40 years wandering the desert. And that’s exactly what happens in the Book of Bamidbar. Through their experiences, we learn about the power of leadership and growth; we see what it takes for Moses to help the nation to spiritually prepare for the Land of Israel.
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What Is A Parsha?
What Are Torah Portions?
The Five Books of Moses are divided into 54 portions (Parshiyot), linked to a specific week in a leap year. In non-leap years, with fewer weeks, some shorter Torah portion readings are combined into one week. Each weekly Torah portion takes its name from the first word or distinctive phrase of the passage. The Torah is divided into portions of two to six chapters each week, with added corresponding readings from the Prophets (Haftarah portions). The Torah reading cycle starts after the Feast of Tabernacles, with Genesis 1:1, and finishes with the last verses of Deuteronomy around 12 months later. Jewish communities celebrate the annual completion of the Torah reading with a holiday known as Simchat Torah or “Rejoicing in the Law.”
The Torah is divided into portions of two to six chapters each week, with added corresponding readings from the Prophets (Haftarah portions). The Torah reading cycle starts after the Feast of Tabernacles, with Genesis 1:1, and finishes with the last verses of Deuteronomy around 12 months later. Jewish communities celebrate the annual completion of the Torah reading with a holiday known as Simchat Torah or “Rejoicing in the Law.”
Origin of the Weekly Torah Portion?
After God saved the Israelites from captivity and restored the Jewish nation, Ezra the scribe wanted to ensure their people would not fall off the wagon again, as we read about in the Book of Nehemia, so he created a system to ensure we would read the text of the Torah each week at synagogue. Thousands of years later, Jewish communities all around the world still study the same portion of the Torah in unity.
Torah Blessing and Aliyot?
An aliyah, עליה, is the honor of being called to read a blessing over a segment of the Torah. In synagogue, members from the congregation are chosen to go up to the bimah (podium) and recite two blessings (one before the reading, and one after) to thank God for the Torah.
What are Haftarah Portions?
Haftarah portions – or Haftoroh in Ashkenazic, or “Concluding Portion” – are selections from the books of Nevi’im (Prophets) of the Hebrew Bible. They are also publicly read – rather, sung or chanted – in synagogue services, following the Torah reading each Sabbath, holidays and fast days. There is usually a thematic link to the weekly Parsha.
Torah Reading Services & Ceremonies
Jewish communities read the relevant Torah portion aloud in synagogues on Sabbaths, as part of the prayer service. The first section of the Torah portion is also read on Mondays and Thursday mornings, an origin that stems from older days, when rural people would go to town to visit the market on those days.
On Saturday afternoons, Mondays, and Thursdays, the start of the next week’s portion is read. Special Torah portion readings are also associated with Jewish holidays, Rosh Chodesh and fast days. A Torah reading generally refers to the whole service, including the grand removing and replacing of the scrolls in the Torah Ark.
