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THE YAHUDI (JEWISH) YEARLY PARASHA CYCLE
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The Yahudi (Jewish) people read the Torah publicly on Shabbat according to an established annual cycle. The cycle divides the Five Books of Moshe into weekly parashot (Torah portions). In the standard annual system there are 54 named parashot, although some weeks contain combined portions because the Jewish calendar includes festivals whose Shabbat readings replace the ordinary weekly reading.
The cycle begins again with Bereshit after the conclusion of Devarim. In the traditional Diaspora calendar, the completion of the Torah is associated with Simchat Torah/Shemini Atzeret, after which Bereshit is read on the following Shabbat. Israel and the Diaspora can differ temporarily in their weekly readings when festival calendars create different schedules.
This edition is designed as a reliable study framework for MatanTorah.ORG. The Torah references below identify the standard weekly parashah boundaries. Local synagogue practice should be checked against the actual Hebrew calendar for the particular year, especially around Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah and other festival Shabbatot.
| Book | Central Focus | Parashot |
| Bereshit / Genesis | The Book of Beginnings | 1–12 |
| Shemot / Exodus | Redemption, Revelation and the Mishkan | 13–23 |
| Vayikra / Leviticus | Kedushah, Korbanot and Covenant Holiness | 24–33 |
| Bamidbar / Numbers | Wilderness, Leadership and Israel's Journey | 34–43 |
| Devarim / Deuteronomy | Moshe's Final Teaching and Covenant Renewal | 44–54 |
The following is the standard annual sequence. The order remains constant even though the civil dates change from year to year.
| No. | Parashah | Hebrew | Torah Reading | Haftarah | Core Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Bereshit | בְּרֵאשִׁית | Genesis 1:1–6:8 | Isaiah 42:5–43:10 | Creation; Adam and Hawwah (Eve); Qayin (Cain) and Hebel (Abel); beginnings of humanity. |
| 02 | Noach | נֹחַ | Genesis 6:9–11:32 | Isaiah 54:1–55:5 | The Flood; Noah's covenant; Babel; the emergence of Abraham's family line. |
| 03 | Lech-Lecha | לֶךְ־לְךָ | Genesis 12:1–17:27 | Isaiah 40:27–41:16 | Abraham's call, journeys, covenant, circumcision, and promise. |
| 04 | Vayera | וַיֵּרָא | Genesis 18:1–22:24 | II Kings 4:1–37 | Hospitality, Sedom (Sodom), Yitshaq (Isaac) birth, and the Binding of Yitshaq (Isaac). |
| 05 | Chayei Sarah | חַיֵּי שָׂרָה | Genesis 23:1–25:18 | I Kings 1:1–31 | Sarah's burial; Ribqah (Rebecca); Yitshaq - Isaac's marriage; Abraham's final years. |
| 06 | Toldot | תּוֹלְדֹת | Genesis 25:19–28:9 | Malachi 1:1–2:7 | Ya'aqob (Jacob) and Esaw (Esau); the birthright; Isaac's blessings. |
| 07 | Vayetzei | וַיֵּצֵא | Genesis 28:10–32:3 | Hosea 12:13–14:10 | Ya'aqob - Jacob's ladder, Laban, Leah and Rachel, and Ya'aqob -Jacob's return. |
| 08 | Vayishlach | וַיִּשְׁלַח | Genesis 32:4–36:43 | Obadiah 1:1–21 | Ya'aqob (Jacob) wrestles with the angel; reconciliation with Esaw (Esau); Dinah; Rachel's death. |
| 09 | Vayeshev | וַיֵּשֶׁב | Genesis 37:1–40:23 | Amos 2:6–3:8 | Yoseph (Joseph's) dreams, sale into Mitsrayim (Egypt), Yahudah (Judah) and Tamar, and Yoseph (Joseph) in prison. |
| 10 | Miketz | מִקֵּץ | Genesis 41:1–44:17 | I Kings 3:15–4:1 | Yoseph (Joseph) rises to power; famine; his brothers come to Egypt. |
| 11 | Vayigash | וַיִּגַּשׁ | Genesis 44:18–47:27 | Ezekiel 37:15–28 | Yahudah (Judah) approaches Joseph; Joseph reveals himself; Jacob descends to Egypt. |
| 12 | Vayechi | וַיְחִי | Genesis 47:28–50:26 | I Kings 2:1–12 | Ya'aqob (Jacob) blesses his sons and dies; Joseph's final years. |
| 13 | Shemot | שְׁמוֹת | Exodus 1:1–6:1 | Isaiah 27:6–28:13; 29:22–23 | Yisrael's slavery; Moses' birth, calling, and first confrontation with Pharaoh. |
| 14 | Vaera | וָאֵרָא | Exodus 6:2–9:35 | Ezekiel 28:25–29:21 | The Divine promise of redemption; first plagues in Mitsrayim (Egypt). |
| 15 | Bo | בֹּא | Exodus 10:1–13:16 | Jeremiah 46:13–28 | Final plagues; Pesach (Passover) ; Exodus; sanctification of the firstborn. |
| 16 | Beshalach | בְּשַׁלַּח | Exodus 13:17–17:16 | Judges 4:4–5:31 | Sea of Reeds; Song of the Sea; manna; Amalek. |
| 17 | Yitro | יִתְרוֹ | Exodus 18:1–20:23 | Isaiah 6:1–7:6; 9:5–6 | Jethro; Sinai; the Ten Commandments; covenant revelation. |
| 18 | Mishpatim | מִשְׁפָּטִים | Exodus 21:1–24:18 | Jeremiah 34:8–22; 33:25–26 | Civil law, justice, social responsibility, and covenant ratification. |
| 19 | Terumah | תְּרוּמָה | Exodus 25:1–27:19 | I Kings 5:26–6:13 | The command to build the Mishkan and its sacred vessels. |
| 20 | Tetzaveh | תְּצַוֶּה | Exodus 27:20–30:10 | Ezekiel 43:10–27 | Menorah oil; priestly garments; Kohanim; incense altar. |
| 21 | Ki Tisa | כִּי תִשָּׂא | Exodus 30:11–34:35 | I Kings 18:1–39 | Half-shekel; Golden Calf; Moshe's intercession; second tablets. |
| 22 | Vayakhel | וַיַּקְהֵל | Exodus 35:1–38:20 | I Kings 7:40–50 | Shabbat; communal contributions; construction of the Mishkan. |
| 23 | Pekudei | פְקוּדֵי | Exodus 38:21–40:38 | I Kings 7:51–8:21 | Accounting for the Mishkan; priestly garments; Divine Presence fills it. |
| 24 | Vayikra | וַיִּקְרָא | Leviticus 1:1–5:26 | Isaiah 43:21–44:23 | The korbanot: olah, minchah, shelamim, chatat, and asham. |
| 25 | Tzav | צַו | Leviticus 6:1–8:36 | Jeremiah 7:21–8:3; 9:22–23 | Laws of offerings; priestly service; inauguration of the Kohanim. |
| 26 | Shemini | שְׁמִינִי | Leviticus 9:1–11:47 | II Samuel 6:1–7:17 | Mishkan dedication; Nadav and Avihu; kosher animals. |
| 27 | Tazria | תַזְרִיעַ | Leviticus 12:1–13:59 | II Kings 4:42–5:19 | Purity after childbirth and laws concerning tzara'at. |
| 28 | Metzora | מְּצֹרָע | Leviticus 14:1–15:33 | II Kings 7:3–20 | Purification from tzara'at and laws of bodily purity. |
| 29 | Achrei Mot | אַחֲרֵי מוֹת | Leviticus 16:1–18:30 | Ezekiel 22:1–19 | Yom Kippur service; holiness; prohibitions concerning blood and relationships. |
| 30 | Kedoshim | קְדֹשִׁים | Leviticus 19:1–20:27 | Ezekiel 20:2–20 | Holiness, ethics, love of neighbor, justice, and covenantal conduct. |
| 31 | Emor | אֱמוֹר | Leviticus 21:1–24:23 | Ezekiel 44:15–31 | Kohanim; sacred times; Shabbat and festivals; menorah and blasphemy. |
| 32 | Behar | בְּהַר | Leviticus 25:1–26:2 | Jeremiah 32:6–27 | Shemittah, Jubilee, land, debt, servitude, and redemption. |
| 33 | Bechukotai | בְּחֻקֹּתַי | Leviticus 26:3–27:34 | Jeremiah 16:19–17:14 | Blessings and rebuke; covenant consequences; vows and consecration. |
| 34 | Bamidbar | בְּמִדְבַּר | Numbers 1:1–4:20 | Hosea 2:1–22 | Census and organization of Israel around the Mishkan. |
| 35 | Naso | נָשׂא | Numbers 4:21–7:89 | Judges 13:2–25 | Levitical duties; Sotah; Nazir; Priestly Blessing; tribal offerings. |
| 36 | Behaalotcha | בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ | Numbers 8:1–12:16 | Zechariah 2:14–4:7 | Menorah; Levites; journeys; manna; Miriam and Aaron speak about Moshe. |
| 37 | Shlach | שְׁלַח־לְךָ | Numbers 13:1–15:41 | Joshua 2:1–24 | The spies; national failure; tzitzit; consequences of the wilderness generation. |
| 38 | Korach | קֹרַח | Numbers 16:1–18:32 | I Samuel 11:14–12:22 | Korach's rebellion; authority; priesthood; Aaron's staff. |
| 39 | Chukat | חֻקַּת | Numbers 19:1–22:1 | Judges 11:1–33 | Red heifer; deaths of Miriam and Aaron; water from the rock; journeys. |
| 40 | Balak | בָּלָק | Numbers 22:2–25:9 | Micah 5:6–6:8 | Balak and Bilaam; blessings over Israel; sin at Baal Peor. |
| 41 | Pinchas | פִּינְחָס | Numbers 25:10–30:1 | I Kings 18:46–19:21 | Pinchas' covenant of peace; census; daughters of Zelophehad; succession of Yeshua (Joshua). |
| 42 | Matot | מַּטּוֹת | Numbers 30:2–32:42 | Jeremiah 1:1–2:3 | Vows; war with Midian; tribes settling east of the Jordan. |
| 43 | Masei | מַסְעֵי | Numbers 33:1–36:13 | Jeremiah 2:4–28; 3:4 | Journeys; boundaries; cities of refuge; inheritance. |
| 44 | Devarim | דְּבָרִים | Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22 | Isaiah 1:1–27 | Moshe reviews the wilderness journey and prepares Israel to enter the Land. |
| 45 | Vaetchanan | וָאֶתְחַנַּן | Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11 | Isaiah 40:1–26 | Moshe's plea; Ten Commandments; Shema; covenantal loyalty. |
| 46 | Eikev | עֵקֶב | Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25 | Isaiah 49:14–51:3 | Blessing, gratitude, humility, the Golden Calf, and love of Elohim. |
| 47 | Re'eh | רְאֵה | Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17 | Isaiah 54:11–55:5 | Choice between blessing and curse; worship; tithes; festivals. |
| 48 | Shoftim | שֹׁפְטִים | Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9 | Isaiah 51:12–52:12 | Judges, kings, prophets, warfare, and standards of justice. |
| 49 | Ki Teitzei | כִּי־תֵצֵא | Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19 | Isaiah 54:1–10 | A wide range of mitzvot governing family, society, business, compassion, and justice. |
| 50 | Ki Tavo | כִּי־תָבוֹא | Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8 | Isaiah 60:1–22 | Bikkurim; covenant declarations; blessings and rebuke. |
| 51 | Nitzavim | נִצָּבִים | Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20 | Isaiah 61:10–63:9 | Yisrael stands in covenant; repentance; return; life and blessing. |
| 52 | Vayeilech | וַיֵּלֶךְ | Deuteronomy 31:1–30 | Hosea 14:2–10; Micah 7:18–20; Joel 2:15–27 | Moshe's final charge; Joshua appointed; Hakhel; Torah scroll. |
| 53 | Haazinu | הַאֲזִינוּ | Deuteronomy 32:1–52 | II Samuel 22:1–51 | Moshe's prophetic song recounting Israel's covenantal history. |
| 54 | Vezot HaBerakhah | וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה | Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12 | Joshua 1:1–18 | Moshe blesses the tribes, ascends Mount Nebo, and dies; Yeshua (Joshua) succeeds him. |
The Torah contains 54 named portions, but not every Jewish year has 54 ordinary Shabbat readings. Festival Shabbatot and the structure of the Hebrew calendar can require two adjacent portions to be read together. The following combinations are among the principal paired readings used in the annual cycle:
| Combined Reading | Torah Range |
|---|---|
| Vayakhel–Pekudei | Exodus 35:1–40:38 |
| Tazria–Metzora | Leviticus 12:1–15:33 |
| Achrei Mot–Kedoshim | Leviticus 16:1–20:27 |
| Behar–Bechukotai | Leviticus 25:1–27:34 |
| Chukat–Balak | Numbers 19:1–25:9 |
| Matot–Masei | Numbers 30:2–36:13 |
| Nitzavim–Vayeilech | Deuteronomy 29:9–31:30 |
The ordinary weekly parashah is sometimes replaced or supplemented by a special Torah reading connected to the Jewish calendar. Examples include:
| Occasion | Purpose / Reading Pattern |
|---|---|
| Shabbat Rosh Chodesh | A special reading concerning the New Moon when Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbat. |
| Shabbat Chanukah | A reading from Numbers concerning the dedication offerings of the tribal leaders. |
| Shabbat Shekalim | The annual remembrance of the half-shekel, traditionally before Adar. |
| Shabbat Zachor | The command to remember Amalek, read before Purim. |
| Shabbat Parah | The reading concerning the red heifer, traditionally connected with preparation for Pesach. |
| Shabbat HaChodesh | The proclamation of the month of Nisan and preparation for Pesach. |
| Shabbat HaGadol | The Shabbat immediately before Pesach, marked by special teaching and custom. |
| Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach / Sukkot | Festival Torah readings replace the normal weekly portion. |
| Shabbat Nachamu | The Shabbat of consolation following Tisha B'Av. |
| Shabbat Chazon | The Shabbat immediately before Tisha B'Av. |
| Rosh Hashanah / Yom Kippur | Festival readings follow the sacred-day liturgy rather than the ordinary weekly sequence. |
| Time | Suggested Practice |
|---|---|
| Sunday–Monday | Read the parashah once for the overall narrative and structure. |
| Tuesday–Wednesday | Study the Hebrew text and major mitzvot, themes and difficult passages. |
| Thursday | Review classical interpretation: Rashi, Ramban, Ibn Ezra, Sforno and relevant Midrash. |
| Friday | Prepare for Shabbat by reviewing the week's central message and practical lessons. |
| Shabbat | Hear the public Torah reading and reflect on how the parashah shapes avodat Hashem and Jewish life. |
| After Shabbat | Record questions, insights and applications for the coming week. |
The parashah names and Torah boundaries in this study edition follow the standard annual Torah division. Calendar dates vary by Hebrew year and by Israel/Diaspora festival scheduling. For a specific year, consult a current Hebrew calendar and the synagogue's established minhag.
Prepared as a MatanTorah.ORG educational resource. This document is intended for Torah learning and should be used alongside a Chumash and recognized traditional Jewish commentaries.
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