Dive into the Hebrew Bible with insights into its stories, teachings, and timeless relevance. Explore key passages, themes, and interpretations that have shaped Jewish belief, ethics, and spiritual life for generations.
Torah Portion Behar-Bechukotai in a Nutshell Name: Behar-Bechukotai Reading: Behar: Leviticus 25:1-26:2; Bechukotai: Leviticus 26:3-27:34 Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 Double Parsha! Parashat Behar-Bechukotai Summary Shmitta and Yovel God speaks to Moses from Mount Sinai. He tells him to command the Israelites that when they arrive in Israel, the land must keep a Sabbath. […]
Torah Portion Emor in a Nutshell Name: Emor Reading: Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15 – 44:31 Parashat Emor Summary Special Laws for Priests God tells Moses to speak to the priests regarding special laws for them. They are not to be near dead bodies except for immediate family: mother, father, […]
Torah Portion Acharei Mot-Kedoshim in a Nutshell Name: Acharei Mot-Kedoshim Reading: Acharei Mot: Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30; Kedoshim: Leviticus 19:1 – 20:27 Double Parasha! Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim Summary The Rituals of Yom Kippur God tells Moses to command Aaron not to approach the Holy of Holies, because He appears in the cloud […]
Torah Portion Tazria-Metzorah in a Nutshell Name: Tazria-Metzorah Reading: Tazria: Leviticus 12:1 – 13:59; Metzorah: Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33 Haftarah: Kings 2 7:3-20 Double Parasha! Parashat Tazria-Metzorah Summary Purification After Childbirth God tells Moses that after giving birth to a boy, women are unclean for seven days. The baby will be circumcised […]
Torah Portion Shemini in a Nutshell Name: Shemini Reading: Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47 Haftara Samuel 1 20:18 – 20:42 Parashat Shemini Summary Tzav ended with Moses sending Aaron and his sons into the Tent of Meeting for a full week. God Accepts the Offerings Moses calls Aaron, his sons, and the elders […]
Torah Portion Tzav in a Nutshell Name: Tzav Reading: Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36 Haftarah: Malachi 3:4-24 Parashat Tzav Summary God Instructs Moses Regarding the Sacrifices God tells Moses to command Aaron and his sons regarding the burnt offering. It must be burnt through the night into the morning, keeping the altar fire lit. […]
Torah Portion Ki Tisa in a Nutshell Name: Ki Tisa Reading: Exodus 30:11 – 34:35 Haftarah: Ezekiel 36:16 – 36:38 Parashat Ki Tisa Summary The Shekel Census God tells Moses to count the children od Israel by asking each person to give half a shekel to the Mishkan. The rich are not to […]
Torah Portion Tetzaveh in a Nutshell Name: Tetzaveh Reading: Exodus 27:20 – 30:10 Haftarah: Samuel 1 15:2 – 15:34 Parashat Tetzaveh Summary God Instructs Moses Regarding the Mishkan Instructions regarding the travelling Temple, also called the mishkan, continue: Use pure olive oil in the lamp and never let it go out. The […]
Torah Portion Terumah in a Nutshell Name: Terumah Reading: Exodus 25:1 – 27:19 Haftarah: Kings 1 5:26 – 6:13 Parashat Terumah Summary God Speak to Moses The previous Torah portion ended when Moses ascended Mount Sinai in clouds and smoke to collect the tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed. God […]
Torah Portion Mishpatim in a Nutshell Name: Mishpatim Reading: Exodus 21:1 – 24:18 Haftarah: Kings 2 12:1 – 12:17 Parashat Mishpatim Summary God Gives the Israelites More Laws A Hebrew servant must be freed after seven years. One who strikes or curses his parents will be put to death. Murders and attackers […]
Torah Portion Yitro in a Nutshell Name: Yitro (Jethro) Reading: Exodus 18:1 – 20:23 Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1 – 7:6; 9:5-6 Parashat Yitro Summary Moses is Reunited with his Family Jethro hears of everything God has done for the Israelites and that they have been freed from Egypt. He takes his daughter (Moses’s […]
Torah Portion Beshalach in a Nutshell Name: Beshalach Reading: Exodus 13:17 – 17:16 Haftarah: Judges 4:4 – 5:31 Parashat Beshalach Summary The Israelites Leave Egypt God leads the Israelites away from Egypt via an indirect route, through the desert and by the Red Sea. Moses takes Joseph’s bones for reburial in their […]
Torah Portion Bo in a Nutshell Name: Bo Reading: Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13 – 46:28 Parashat Bo Summary Locusts God tells Moses to go to Pharaoh and warn him of the impending plague of locusts. Moses tells Pharaoh that the locusts will cover the face of the earth and […]
Torah Portion Vaera in a Nutshell Name: Vaera (Va’era) Reading: Exodus 6:2 – 9:35 Haftara: Ezekiel 28:25 – 29:21 Parashat Vaera Summary God Commands Moses to Deliver the Israelites God tells Moses that He is the Lord that appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and that He promised to give them the […]
Torah Portion Shemot in a Nutshell Name: Shemot Reading: Exodus 1:1 – 6:1 Haftarah: Isaiah 27:6 – 28:13; 29:22 – 29:23 Parashat Shemot Summary Pharaoh Enslaves the Israelites Joseph, his brothers, and their whole generation dies. The Jews in Egypt are fruitful and multiply. A new king rose over Egypt who didn’t […]