When the Jews returned from Babylonian Exile, the Jewish leader Ezra instituted weekly readings from the Torah in Synagouges (Talmud, Bava Kama 82a) The Chumash is divided into 54 parshiot (portions), which is the maximum number of non Holyday portions that can be read in a leap year. In a non-leap year, 50 portions can be read. On non-leap years, 8 portions are joined togther to form 4 double portions. Special readings are done on Holydays including those that fall on Shabbat.
Name of the Parsha
The name of each parsha is a word or two taken from the opening sentence of the parsha. The name of the five books of the chumash, the Five Books of Moses, are the name of the first parsha.
Greek
Hebrew
Genesis
B'raysheet
Exodus
Shemot
Leviticus
Vayikra
Numbers
Bamidbar
Deuteronomy
Devarim
The Torah Reading
On Shabbat afternoon, a short section from the parsha of following weeks is read, it is repeated on Monday and Thrusday mornings. The longest reading is on Shabbat following the Shacharit (morning) service. This reading is divided into 7 sections, each section is preceeded and followed by a blessing. Originally seven people were called up to the bima to chant each section and recite the blessings. This honor is refered to as an aliyah, which means, "going up". During the period of exile, when Hebrew ceased being the spoken language, a specialist took over the chanting of the Torah, while the person who is honored with the aliyah chants the blessing before and after the reading.
Aliyah Honorees
The Rabbis determined that the person to have the first aliyah must be a descendant of the priestly family, a cohen. The the person receiving the second aliyah must be from the tribe of Levi, those who are chosen to do the work of maintainging the Temple. The third through seventh aliyot are Yisrael, the remainder of the Jewish people. After the seventh aliyah, a special short section called the maftir is read from the Torah. Usually the maftir is the last few lines of the portion, but on Holydays and certain times during the year, it is read from another book of the Torah.
Annual: Genesis 47:28-50:26 (Etz Hayim, p. 293; Hertz p. 180) Triennial Cycle: Genesis 49:1-49:26 (Etz Hayim, p. 298; Hertz p. 183) Haftarah: I Kings 2:1 – 12 (Etz Hayim, p. 313; Hertz p. 191)
Prepared by Rabbi Joyce Newmark Teaneck, New Jersey
Torah Portion Summary
As Jacob’s life draws to a close, he summons his son Joseph and asks Joseph to swear that he will not bury him in Egypt, but will return his body to Canaan to be buried in the cave of Machpelah. Later, Joseph brings his sons to visit his ailing father. Jacob tells Joseph that Ephraim and Manasseh will be considered equal to Jacob’s other sons. Jacob blesses his son and grandsons, and then he gathers all his sons and speaks to each individually about his character and his future, “addressing to each a parting word appropriate to him.” Then Jacob dies. He was 147.
Joseph has his father’s body prepared according to Egyptian custom and then his family, accompanied by Egyptian dignitaries, travels to Canaan to bury Jacob with his parents and grandparents. Joseph’s brothers, fearing what Joseph may do now that their father is dead, tell Joseph it was Jacob’s dying wish that Joseph forgive his brothers. Joseph assures them that he bears no grudge against them, because even though they acted out of spite God turned their actions to good. Joseph dies at 110 after asking his family to swear that they will return his bones to Canaan when God brings the Israelites back to the land He has promised.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR AN ALIYAH
Doing an Aliyah is not difficult. Although these instructions may appear complicated, it is quite simple. The gabbais will help you if you have questions. If unaccustomed to having Aliyahs, you may wish to practice before being called for an Aliyah
BEFORE THE READING
1. Go to the right side of the baal koreh (Torah reader).
2. The baal koreh will show you the first word of the section about to be read.
3. Touch the margin next to the first word with a fringe of your tallit, kiss the fringe.
4. Grasp the spindles of the Torah and roll the scroll shut.
5. Continue holding the and scroll read the following blessing: Bar-e-chu et Ah-doe-nai ha-me-voe-rach
(congregation will recite the following line,
Ba-ruch Ah-doe-nai ha'me-voe-rach le-o-lam va'ed.
You repeate after the congregation Ba-ruch Ah-doe-nai ha'me-voe-rach le-o-lam va'ed.
6 Open the Torah.
7 Then move to the right of the baal koreh so the Torah can be read.
AFTER THE READING
1. The baal koreh (Torah reader) will point to the last word of the section.
2. Touch the last word with the corner of your tallit and repeat it.
3. Grasp the spindles of the Torah and roll the scroll shut.
4. Stand behind the Torah scroll and say the following blessing:
Ba-ruch at-ah A-doe-nai
eh-lo-hay-nu me-lech ha'o-lam
asher natan lanu torat emet
ve'chayai olam nata bitochaynu
Ba-ruch ah-tah Ah-doe-nai
No-tayn ha-Torah
5. Go to the left side of the reader during the next aliyah.
6. After this aliyah, return to your seat. Do not move until after the blessing after reading the Torah is recited
- People may say to you yasher koach "May you be strengthened."
- You should respond baruch ti-he-yeh, "May you be blessed."
