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

04

Torah: Shemot(Exodus) 27:20-30:10

Haftara: Ezekiel 43:10-27

Brit Chadashah: Matthew 5:13-20

 

Portion Summary

Tetzaveh is the twentieth reading from the Torah. Tetzaveh (תצוה) means "You shall command," as in the first verse of the reading, which says, "You shall [command] the sons of Israel, that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually" (Exodus 27:20). This Torah portion continues to narrate the instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, focusing particularly on the priesthood that was to serve in that sanctuary. The Israelites are commanded to make special garments for Aaron and his sons to wear while ministering as priests. After describing the priestly garments, the portion concludes with instructions for the ritual inauguration of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood.

 

Portion Outline

    • Torah
      • Exodus 27:20 | The Oil for the Lamp
      • Exodus 28:1 | Vestments for the Priesthood
      • Exodus 28:6 | The Ephod
      • Exodus 28:15 | The Breastplate
      • Exodus 28:31 | Other Priestly Vestments
      • Exodus 29:1 | The Ordination of the Priests
      • Exodus 29:38 | The Daily Offerings
      • Exodus 30:1 | The Altar of Incense
    • Prophets
      • Eze 43:13 | The Altar
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