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

22

TORAH: Genesis 28:10-32:2

HAFTARA: Hosea 12:12-14:10

B'RIT CHADASHAH: John 1:41-51

Portion Summary

The seventh reading from the book of Genesis is named Vayetze (ויצא), which means "and he went out." The title comes from the first verse of the reading, which says, "And Jacob went out from Beersheba" (Genesis 28:10 KJV). This portion tells the story of Jacob's flight from his brother Esau, his vision at Bethel, his employment with his uncle Laban and his marriage to the two sisters, Rachel and Leah. Jacob's double marriage results in a baby-bearing contest that gives him eleven sons. At the end of the portion, Jacob leaves Laban and returns to the land of Canaan, but not before Laban tries to stop him.

Portion Outline

  • Torah
    • Genesis 28:10| Jacob's Dream at Bethel
    • Genesis 29:1| Jacob Meets Rachel
    • Genesis 29:15| Jacob Marries Laban's Daughters
    • Genesis 30:25| Jacob Prospers at Laban's Expense
    • Genesis 31:1| Jacob Flees with Family and Flocks
    • Genesis 31:22| Laban Overtakes Jacob
    • Genesis 31:43| Laban and Jacob Make a Covenant
  • Prophets
    • Hos 12:2| The Long History of Rebellion
    • Hos 13:1| Relentless Judgment on Israel
    • Hos 14:1| A Plea for Repentance
    • Hos 14:4| Assurance of Forgiveness

 

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