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Tanach

Tanach (Hebrew Scriptures)
The Tanach (mistakenly known as the "Old Testament") is made up of the Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim. The Tanach was canonized in approximately 500 BCE by the Men of the Great Assembly. The Tanach was not originally broken into chapter and verses. The idea of chapter and verses - as well as the breaking apart of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles - is a leftover from Christians in the 13th century. Before the study of Torah a brocha (blessing) is said in which the person thanks G-d for giving the Jews Torah. There have been many rabbis who have written commentaries on the Torah. Any complete study of the Torah needs to include some commentary from these sages. (For further information see: Who wrote the Tanach?)

Secular Name Hebrew Name Meaning Author
Torah
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Bereishit
Shemot
Vayikra
Bamidbar
Devarim
In the Beginning
Names
And He called
In the Wilderness
Words
Moses
Moses
Moses
Moses
Moses
Nevi'im
Joshua
Judges
Samuel
Kings
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
The 12 Prophets
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Yehoshua
Shoftim
Shmuel I and II
Melachim I and II
Yeshayahu
Yirmiyahu
Yechezkiel

Hoshea
Yoel
Amos
Ovadiah
Yonah
Michah
Nachum
Chavakuk
Tzefaniah
Chaggai
Zechariah
Malachi
G-d is Salvation
Judges
His Name is G-d
Kings
G-d is Salvation
G-d will Uplift
G-d will Strengthen

Salvation
G-d is Willing
To be Burdened/Troubled
Servant of G-d
Dove
Who is Like G-d
Comfort
To Wrestle
Hidden by G-d
Festive
Memory
My Servant
Joshua; Phineas (last verses)
Samuel
Samuel, Gad, Nathan
Jeremiah
School of King Hezekiah
Jeremiah, Men of the Great Assembly
Men of the Great Assembly

Men of the Great Assembly
Men of the Great Assembly
Men of the Great Assembly
Men of the Great Assembly
Men of the Great Assembly
Men of the Great Assembly
Men of the Great Assembly
Men of the Great Assembly
Men of the Great Assembly
Men of the Great Assembly
Men of the Great Assembly
Men of the Great Assembly
Ketuvim
Psalms
Proverbs
Job
Song of Songs
Ruth
Lamentations
Ecclesiastes
Esther
Daniel
Ezra
Nehemiah
Chronicles
Tehillim
Mishlei
Iyov
Shir HaShirim
Rut
Eichah
Kohelet
Ester
Daniel
Ezra
Nechemiah
Divrei Hayamim I and II
Praises
Proverbs/Wisdom
Hated/Oppressed
Song of Songs
Friendship
Alas
Assembly of People
Star
G-d is My Judge
Help
Comforted of the L-rd
Words of the Days
David, Adam, Abraham, & Moses
Solomon
Moses
Solomon
Samuel
Jeremiah
Solomon
Men of the Great Assembly
Men of the Great Assembly
Ezra
Ezra
Ezra (through II Chronicles 21:1), Nehemiah

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Torah - [Torah Topics]
The Torah (the Books of Moses) (תורה) is made up of five books that were given to Moshe Rabbenu (Moses our Teacher) directly from G-d shortly after the Exodus from Mitzraim around 1230BCE. The Written and Oral Torahs (Mishnah) was handed down through the successive generations from the time of Moses.

G-d

Moses

Joshua

Elders

Prophets

Men of the Great Assembly

Pharisees

Rabbis

The Torah covers the time from the creation of the earth and the first humans, the Great Flood and the covenant with the gentiles, the enslavement of and Exodus from the Hebrews in Mitzraim, giving of the Torah (Written and Oral), renewal of Covenant given to Avraham, festivals established, wandering through the desert, the Tabernacle Ark, and Priestly duties, and the death of Moshe Rabbenu. The Torah is broken down into parts (parsha). Each Parsha is usually named after one of the first words of that section of the Torah. The Parsha is divided into 7 sections. Each section is called an aliyah since one person "goes up" to make a brocha (blessing) on the Torah Reading. There is also an additional eighth section called the Maftir. The Maftir is either a repetition of the last few verses from the seventh aliyah or a special reading on special Shabbats. The Torah is read every year according to a Torah reading schedule. The Babylonian Jewish community divided the Torah into 54 portions which allowed for the complete reading of the Torah in one year. The Egyptian and Palestinian Jewish communities divided the Torah into 154 divisions allowing for the complete reading of the Torah in three-year cycles (triennial cycle).

Genesis (Bereshit) | Exodus (Shemot) | Leviticus (Vayikra) | Numbers (Bamidbar) | Deuteronomy (Devarim)

Weekly Readings

Parsha Torah Ashkenazic Haftarah Sephardic Haftarah
Bereishit Genesis 1:1-6:8 Isaiah 42:5-43:10 Isaiah 42:5-21
Noach Genesis 6:9-11:32 Isaiah 54:1-55:5 Isaiah 54:1-10
Lech Lecha Genesis 12:1-17:27 Isaiah 40:27-41:16 Isaiah 40:27-41:16
Vayera Genesis 18:1-22:24 II Kings 4:1-37 II Kings 4:1-23
Chaya Sarah Genesis 23:1-25:18 I Kings 1:1-31 I Kings 1:1-31
Toledot Genesis 25:19-28:9 Malachi 1:1-2:7 Malachi 1:1-2:7
Vayeitzei Genesis 28:10-32:3 Hosea 12:13-14:10 Hosea 11:7-12:12
Vayishlach Genesis 32:4-36:43 Obadiah 1:1-21 Obadiah 1:1-21
Vayeishev Genesis 37:1-40:23 Amos 2:6-3:8 Amos 2:6-3:8
Mikeitz Genesis 41:1-44:17 I Kings 3:15-4:1 I Kings 3:15-4:1
Vayigash Genesis 44:18-47:27 Ezekiel 37:15-28 Ezekiel 37:15-28
Vayechi Genesis 47:28-50:26 I Kings 2:1-12 I Kings 2:1-12
Shemot Exodus 1:1-6:1 Isaiah 27:6-28:13-29:22-23 Jeremiah 1:1-2:3
Va'eira Exodus 6:2-9:35 Ezekiel 28:25-29:21 Ezekiel 28:25-29:21
Bo Exodus 10:1-13:16 Jeremiah 46:13-28 Jeremiah 46:13-28
Beshalach Exodus 13:17-17:15 Judges 4:4-5:31 Judges 5:1-31
Yitro Exodus 18:1-20:23 Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6 Isaiah 6:1-13
Mishpatim Exodus 21:1-24:18 Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26 Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26
Terumah Exodus 25:1-27:19 I Kings 5:26-6:13 I Kings 5:26-6:13
Tetzaveh Exodus 27:20-30:10 Ezekiel 43:10-27 Ezekiel 43:10-27
Ki Tisa Exodus 30:11-34:35 I Kings 18:1-39 I Kings 18:20-39
Vayakhel Exodus 35:1-38:20 I Kings 7:40-50 I Kings 7:13-26
Pekudi Exodus 38:21-40:38 I Kings 7:51-8:21 I Kings 7:40-50
Vayikra Leviticus 1:1-5:26 Isaiah 43:21-44:23 Isaiah 43:21-44:23
Tzav Leviticus 6:1-8:36 Jeremiah 7:21-8:3; 9:22-23 Jeremiah 7:21-8:3; 9:22-23
Shemini Leviticus 9:1-11:47 II Samuel 6:1-7:17 II Samuel 6:1-19
Tazria Leviticus 12:1-13:59 II Kings 4:42-5:19 II Kings 4:42-5:19
Metzora Leviticus 14:1-15:33 II Kings 7:3-20 II Kings 7:3-20
Acharei Leviticus 16:1-18:30 Amos 9:7-15 Ezekiel 22:1-16
Kedoshim Leviticus 19:1-20:27 Ezekiel 22:1-16 Ezekiel 20:2-20
Emor Leviticus 21:1-24:23 Ezekiel 44:15-31 Ezekiel 44:15-31
Behar Leviticus 25:1-26:2 Jeremiah 32:6-27 Jeremiah 32:6-22
BeChukotai Leviticus 26:3-27:34 Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 Jeremiah 16:19-17:14
Bamidbar Numbers 1:1-4:20 Hosea 2:1-22 Hosea 2:1-22
Naso Numbers 4:21-7:89 Judges 13:2-25 Judges 13:2-25
Beha'alotcha Numbers 8:1-12:16 Zechariah 2:14-4:7 Zechariah 2:14-4:7
Shelach Numbers 13:1-15:41 Joshua 2:1-24 Joshua 2:1-24
Korach Numbers 16:1-18:32 I Samuel 11:14-12:22 I Samuel 11:14-12:22
Chukat Numbers 19:1-22:1 Judges 11:1-33 Judges 11:1-33
Balak Numbers 22:2-25:9 Micah 5:6-6:8 Micah 5:6-6:8
Pinchas Numbers 25:10-30:1 Before 17 Tammuz:
I Kings 18:46-19:21
After 17 Tammuz: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3
Before 17 Tammuz:
I Kings 18:46-19:21
After 17 Tammuz: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3
Matot Numbers 30:2-32:42 Jeremiah 1:1-2:3 Jeremiah 1:1-2:3
Masei Numbers 33:1-36:13 Jeremiah 2:4-28; 3:4 Jeremiah 2:4-28; 4:1-2
Devarim Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22 Isaiah 1:1-27 Isaiah 1:1-27
Vaetchannan Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11 Isaiah 40:1-26 Isaiah 40:1-26
Eikev Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25 Isaiah 49:14-51:3 Isaiah 49:14-51:3
Re'eh Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17 Isaiah 54:11-55:5 Isaiah 54:11-55:5
Shoftim Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9 Isaiah 51:12-52:12 Isaiah 51:12-52:12
Ki Teitzei Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19 Isaiah 54:1-10 Isaiah 54:1-10
Ki Tavo Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8 Isaiah 60:1-22 Isaiah 60:1-22
Nitzavim Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20 Isaiah 61:10-63:9 Isaiah 61:10-63:9
Vayeilech Deuteronomy 31:1-30 Isaiah 61:10-63:9 Isaiah 61:10-63:9
Haazinu Deuteronomy 32:1-52 II Samuel 22:1-51 II Samuel 22:1-51
Vezot Haberachah Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12 Joshua 1:1-18 Joshua 1:1-9

Special Readings

Parsha Torah Maftir Ashkenazic Haftarah Sephardic Haftarah
Rosh Hashanna - Day 1 Genesis 21:1-34 Numbers 29:1-6 I Samuel 1:1-2:10 I Samuel 1:1-2:10
Rosh Hashanna - Day 2 Genesis 22:1-24 Numbers 29:1-6 Jeremiah 31:1-19 Jeremiah 31:1-19
Shabbat Shuvah     Hosea 14:2-20
Micah 7:18-20
Hosea 14:2-20
Micah 7:18-20
Yom Kippur - Morning Leviticus 16:1-34 Numbers 29:7-11 Isaiah 57:14-58:14 Isaiah 57:14-58:14
Yom Kippur - Afternoon Leviticus 18:1-30   Jonah 1:1-4:11
Micah 7:18-20
Jonah 1:1-4:11
Micah 7:18-20
Sukkot - Day 1 Leviticus 22:26-23:44 Numbers 29:12-16 Zechariah 14:1-21 Zechariah 14:1-21
Sukkot - Day 2 Leviticus 22:26-23:44 Numbers 29:12-16 I Kings 8:2-21 I Kings 8:2-21
Sukkot - Day 3 Numbers 29:17-25      
Sukkot - Day 4 Numbers 29:20-28      
Sukkot - Day 5 Numbers 29:23-31      
Sukkot - Day 6 Numbers 29:26-34      
Sukkot - Intermediate Shabbat Exodus 33:12-34:26   Ezekiel 38:18-39:16 Ezekiel 38:18-39:16
Hoshannah Rabbah Numbers 29:26-34      
Shemini Atzeret Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17 Numbers 29:35-30:1 I Kings 8:54-9:1 I Kings 8:54-9:1
Simchat Torah Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12
Genesis 1:1-2:3
Numbers 29:35-30:1 Joshua 1:1-18 Joshua 1:1-9
Chanukah - Day 1 Numbers 7:1-17      
Chanukah - Day 2 Numbers 7:18-29      
Chanukah - Day 3 Numbers 7:24-35      
Chanukah - Day 4 Numbers 7:30-41      
Chanukah - Day 5 Numbers 7:36-47      
Chanukah - Day 6 Numbers 28:1-15; 7:42-47      
Chanukah - Day 7 Numbers 7:48-59      
Chanukah - Day 8 Numbers 28:1-15; 7:42-47      
Chanukah - Day First Shabbat   Numbers 28:9-15 Zecharaiah 2:14-4:7 Zecharaiah 2:14-4:7
Chanukah - Day Second Shabbat   Numbers 7:54-8:4 I Kings 7:40-50 I Kings 7:40-50
Shabbat Shirah Exodus 13:17-17:15   Judges 4:4-5:31 Judges 5:1-31
Shabbat Shekalim   Exodus 30:11-16 II Kings 11:17-12:17 II Kings 12:1-17
Shabbat Zachor Deuteronomy 25:17-19   I Samuel 15:1-34 I Samuel 15:1-34
Purim Exodus 17:8-16      
Shabbat Parah   Numbers 19:1-22 Ezekiel 36:16-38 Ezekiel 36:16-36
Shabbat HaChodesh   Exodus 12:1-20 Ezekiel 45:16-46:18 Ezekiel 45:18-46:18
Shabbat HaGadol     Malachi 3:4-24 Malachi 3:4-24
Pesach - Day 1 Exodus 12:21-51 Numbers 28:16-25 Joshua 3:5-7; 5:2-6:1, 27 Joshua 5:2-6:1
Pesach - Day 2 Leviticus 22:26-23:44 Numbers 28:16-25 II Kings 23:1-9, 21-25 II Kings 23:1-9, 21-25
Pesach - Day 3 Exodus 13:1-6 Numbers 28:19-25      
Pesach - Day 4 Exodus 22:24-23:19
Numbers 28:19-25
     
Pesach - Day 5 Exodus 34:1-26
Numbers 28:19-25
     
Pesach - Day 6 Exodus 9:1-14
Numbers 28:19-25
     
Pesach - Intermediate Shabbat Exodus 33:12-34:26 Numbers 28:19-25 Ezekiel 37:1-14 Ezekiel 36:37-37:14
Pesach - Day 7 Exodus 13:17-15:26 Numbers 28:19-25 II Samuel 22:1-51 II Samuel 22:1-51
Pesach - Day 8 (Weekday) Deuteronomy 15:19-16:17 Numbers 28:19-25 Isaiah 10:32-12:6 Isaiah 10:32-12:6
Pesach - Day 8 (Shabbat) Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17 Numbers 28:19-25 Isaiah 10:32-12:6 Isaiah 10:32-12:6
Shavuot - Day 1 Exodus 19:1-20:23 Numbers 28:26-31 Ezekiel 1:1-28; 3:12 Ezekiel 1:1-28; 3:12
Shavuot - Day 2 (Weekday) Deuteronomy 15:19-16:17 Numbers 28:26-31 Habakkuk 2:20-3:19 Habakkuk 2:20-3:19
Shavuot - Day 2 (Shabbat) Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17 Numbers 28:26-31 Habakkuk 2:20-3:19 Habakkuk 2:20-3:19
Tish B'Av - Morning Deuteronomy 4:25-40   Jeremiah 8:13-9:23 Jeremiah 8:13-9:23
Tish B'Av - Afternoon Exodus 32:11-14, 34:1-10   Isaiah 55:6-56:8 Hosea 14:2-10
Micah 7:18-20
Minor Fasts - Morning Exodus 32:11-14, 34:1-10   Isaiah 55:6-56:8 NONE
Minor Fasts - Afternoon Exodus 32:11-14, 34:1-10      
Shabbat Mevarchim     I Samuel 20:18-42 I Samuel 20:18-42
Rosh Chodesh (Weekday) Numbers 28:1-15      
Rosh Chodesh (Shabbat)   Numbers 28:9-15 Isaiah 66:1-24 Isaiah 66:1-24

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Nevi'im - [Nevi'im Topics]
The Nevi'im (נביאים) covers the time period from the death of Moshe Rabbenu through the Babylonian exile (ca.1200BCE-587BCE) and contains 19 books. The Nevi'im covers the time from the Hebrews entering Eretz Yisrael, conquest of Jericho, conquest of Eretz Yisrael and division among the tribes, judicial system, Era of Saul and David, Solomon's wisdom and the construction of the First Temple, kings of Eretz Yisrael, prophecy, messianic prophecies, and the Babylonian exile.

Joshua | Judges | Samuel | Kings | Isaiah | Jeremiah | Ezekiel
The Twelve Prophets:
Hosea | Joel | Amos | Obadiah | Jonah | Micah | Nahum | Habakkuk | Zephaniah | Haggai | Zechariah | Malachi

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Ketuvim - [Ketuvim Topics]
The Ketuvim (כתובם) covers the period after the return from the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE) and contains 12 books. The Ketuvim is made up of various writings that do not have an overall theme. This section of the Tanach includes poems and songs, the stories of Job, Ruth, and Esther, the writings and prophecies of Daniel, and the history of the kings of Eretz Yisrael.

Psalms | Proverbs | Job | The Song of Songs | Ruth | Lamentations |
Ecclesiastes | Esther | Daniel | Ezra-Nehemiah | Chronicles

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Torah Blessing
*NOTE: For men (and [optional] women in non-Orthodox Judaism), whenever you are studying Torah or Talmud it is proper to have a head-covering such as a kippah.

Blessed are You, Hashem, our G-d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to engross ourselves in the words of Torah. Please, Hashem, our G-d, sweeten the words of Your Torah in our mouth and in the mouth of Your people, the House if Israel. May we and our offspring and the offspring of Your people, the House of Israel—all of us—know Your Name and study Your Torah for its own sake. Blessed are You, Hashem, Who teaches Torah to His people Israel.

Blessed are You, Hashem, Who teaches Torah to His people Israel.

ברון אתה יהוה אלהינו מלן העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו לעסוק בדברי תורה והערב נא יהוה אלהינו את דברי תורתן בפינו ובפי עמן בית ישראל ונהיה אנחנו וצאצאינו וצאצאי עמן בית ישראל כלנו יודעי שמן ולומדי תורתן לשמה ברוח אתה יהוה המלמד תורה לעמו ישראל

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2007-2008 Torah Reading Schedule (Printable 2007-2008 Torah Reading Schedule Adobe Reader Icon)

Date Parsha
10/06/07 Bereishit (Genesis 1:1-6:8)
10/13/07 Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32)
10/20/07 Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1-17:27)
10/27/07 Vayera (Genesis 18:1-22:24)
11/03/07 Chaya Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18)
11/10/07 Toledot (Genesis 25:19-28:9)
11/17/07 Vayeitzei (Genesis 28:10-32:3)
11/24/07 Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43)
12/01/07 Vayeishev (Genesis 37:1-40:23)
12/08/07 Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1-44:17)
12/15/07 Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27)
12/22/07 Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26)
12/29/07 Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1)
01/05/08 Va'eira (Exodus 6:2-9:35)
01/12/08 Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16)
01/19/08 Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:15)
01/26/08 Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23)
02/02/08 Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18)
02/09/08 Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19)
02/16/08 Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10)
02/23/08 Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)
03/01/08 Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1-38:20)
03/08/08 Pekudi (Exodus 38:21-40:38)
03/15/08 Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1-5:26)
03/22/08 Tzav (Leviticus 6:1-8:36)
03/29/08 Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)
04/05/08 Tazria (Leviticus 12:1-13:59)
04/12/08 Metzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33)
04/19/08 Acharei (Leviticus 16:1-18:30)
04/26/08 Pesach (Exodus 13:17-15:26)
05/03/08 Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1-20:27)
05/10/08 Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23)
05/17/08 Behar (Leviticus 25:1-26:2)
05/24/08 BeChukotai (Leviticus 26:3-27:34)
05/31/08 Bamidbar (Numbers 1:1-4:20)
06/07/08 Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89)
06/14/08 Beha'alotcha (Numbers 8:1-12:16)
06/21/08 Shelach (Numbers 13:1-15:41)
06/28/08 Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:32)
07/05/08 Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1)
07/12/08 Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9)
07/19/08 Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1)
07/26/08 Matot (Numbers 30:2-32:42)
08/02/08 Masei (Numbers 33:1-36:13)
08/09/08 Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22)
08/16/08 Vaetchannan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11)
08/23/08 Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25)
08/30/08 Re'eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)
09/06/08 Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9)
09/13/08 Ki Teitzei (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19)
09/20/08 Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8)
09/27/08 Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20)
10/04/08 Vayeilech (Deuteronomy 31:1-30)
10/11/08 Haazinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-52)
10/18/08 Sukkot (Numbers 29:17-25)
10/22/08 Vezot-Haberachah (Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12)

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  Page Updated: 07/04/08