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

06

Torah: B'reisheet 37:1-40:23

Haftara: Amos 2:6-3:8

Brit Chadashah: Matthew 1:18-25

 

 

Portion Summary

The ninth reading from the book of Genesis is named Vayeshev (וישב), which means "and he dwelt." The title comes from the first verse of the reading, which says, "Now Jacob [dwelt] in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan" (Genesis 37:1). Despite the portion's name and first verse, the story is actually about Jacob's son Joseph and how he was removed from the land of Canaan and dwelt in Egypt. The narrative follows Joseph from Canaan to Egypt to prison. In addition, this week's reading contains the story of Judah and Tamar.

 

Portion Outline

  • Torah
    • Genesis 37:1 | Joseph Dreams of Greatness
    • Genesis 37:12 | Joseph Is Sold by His Brothers
    • Genesis 38:1 | Judah and Tamar
    • Genesis 39:1 | Joseph and Potiphar's Wife
    • Genesis 40:1 | The Dreams of Two Prisoners
  • Prophets
    • Amo 2:6 | Judgment on Israel
    • Amo 3:1 | Israel's Guilt and Punishment

 

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