Annual Torah Cycle

In the observance of the annual cycle of Torah Reading, each week is assigned its own portion of Scripture, or what we refer to as a Parashah.  This year, 5780,  began on 1 Tishrei or October 1, 2019. There are 54 Parshiyot (Parashah plural), one for each week of a leap year, so that in the course of one year, we complete the entire Torah from B'resheet to D'varim (Genesis to Deuteronomy). A leap-year adds an additional 4 weeks (one month) to the usual 12 months, and we refer to this month as: ADAR II. During non-leap years (regular), there are 50 weeks, as a result some of the shorter Parshiyot are doubled up.

The weeks of Pesach (Passover) and Sukkot have different Torah portions assigned to them, so on leap years that leaves 52 weeks to accomplish 54 Parshiyot. This is achieved by doubling up 2 portions, and for non-leap years there remain 48 weeks to accomplish 54 Parshiyot and this is achieved by having 6 double Parshiyot.

This Week's Parashah

17

Torah: B'reisheet(Genesis) 18:1-22:24

Haftara: 2 Kings 4:1-37

Brit Chadashah: Luke 17:28-37

 

Portion Summary

The fourth reading from the book of Genesis is named Vayera (וירא). It means "And he appeared" because the first story describes how the LORD appeared to Abraham one day as he sat outside his tent. Section Vayera continues with the series of tests of faith for Abraham, concluding in one great and final trial.

 

Portion Outline

    • Torah
      • Genesis 18:1 | A Son Promised to Abraham and Sarah
      • Genesis 18:16 | Judgment Pronounced on Sodom
      • Genesis 19:1 | The Depravity of Sodom
      • Genesis 19:12 | Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed
      • Genesis 19:30 | The Shameful Origin of Moab and Ammon
      • Genesis 20:1 | Abraham and Sarah at Gerar
      • Genesis 21:1 | The Birth of Isaac
      • Genesis 21:8 | Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away
      • Genesis 21:22 | Abraham and Abimelech Make a Covenant
      • Genesis 22:1 | The Command to Sacrifice Isaac
      • Genesis 22:20 | The Children of Nahor
    • Prophets
      • 2Ki 4:1 | Elisha and the Widow's Oil
      • 2Ki 4:8 | Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son
Actions: E-mail | Permalink |