Annual (Ex. 35:1-40:38): Etz Hayim p. 552; Hertz p. 373
Triennial (Ex. 39:22-40:38): Etz Hayim p. 567; Hertz p. 387
Maftir (Ex. 12:1-20): Etz Hayim p. 380; Hertz p. 253
Haftarah (Ezekiel 45:16-46:18 [A]; 45:18-46:15 [S]): Etz Hayim p. 1291; Hertz p. 1001
Prepared by Rabbi Joyce Newmark
Teaneck, NJ
Hazak, hazak, v’nithazek!
Torah Portion Summary
Moses assembles the entire Israelite community and again instructs them to observe Shabbat. He asks them to bring their gifts of materials to build the Mishkan; and those who have the skills to come forward to perform the work. The artisans come together under the leadership of Bezalel and Oholiav, they report to Moses that the people are bringing more materials than are necessary. Moses announces that no one should bring any more gifts for the Mishkan.
The Torah describes the making of the cloth walls, roof, planks, and bars of the Mishkan, the curtain for the Holy of Holies, and the screen for the entrance. Bezalel makes the ark and its cover, the table, the menorah, the altars for incense and for burnt offerings, the anointing oil, and the incense.
Moses instructs Aaron’s son Itamar to conduct an accounting of the materials used for the building of the Mishkan. The making of the priestly vestments is described. Once all of the work has been completed, the Mishkan and its furnishing are brought to Moses and he blesses the people who made them. God instructs Moses to set up the Mishkan, to anoint it and its contents, and to consecrate Aaron and his sons. The cloud representing God’s presence fills the Mishkan, lifting up from it when it is time for the Israelites to set out on their journeys.
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 an Aliyah, you may wish to practice before being called for an Aliyah during a service.
BEFORE THE READING
Go to the right side of the baal koreh (Torah reader).
The baal koreh will show you the first word of the section about to be read.
Touch the margin next to the first word with a fringe of your tallit, kiss the fringe.
Grasp the spindles of the Torah and roll the scroll shut.
Continue holding the scroll and say the following blessing:
Bar-e-chu et Ah-doe-nai ha-me-voe-rach
pause as the congregation recites, Ba-ruch Ah-doe-nai ha'me-voe-rach le-o-lam va'ed, then continue on.
Then move to the right of the baal koreh so the Torah can be read.
AFTER THE READING
The baal koreh (Torah reader) will point to the last word of the section.
Touch the last word with the corner of your tallit and repeat it.
Grasp the spindles of the Torah and roll the scroll shut.
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
Go to the left side of the reader during the next aliyah.
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 may respond baruch ti-he-yeh, "May you be blessed."
WEEKLY READING OF THE TORAH
Instituting Reading of the Parsha When the Jews returned from Babylonian Exile, the Jewish leader Ezra instituted weekly readings from the Torah in Synagogues (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 together 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 Thursday mornings. The longest reading is on Shabbat following the Shacharit (morning) service. This reading is divided into 7 sections, each section is preceded 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 referred 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 kohen. The person receiving the second aliyah must be from the tribe of Levi, those who are chosen to do the work of maintaining 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.
