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Portion Summary

The last reading from the book of Leviticus is called Bechukotai,  which means "In My Statutes." The name comes from the first verse of  the reading, which begins with the words "If you walk in My statutes  ..." (Leviticus 26:3). This last reading from Leviticus promises  blessings and rewards for Israel if they will keep the Torah, but  punishment and curses if they break the commandments of the Torah. The  last chapter discusses laws pertaining to vows, valuations and tithes.  In most years, synagogues read Bechukotai together with the preceding portion, Behar.

The thirtieth reading from the Torah and seventh reading from Leviticus is named Kedoshim, which mean "holy." The title comes from the words in Leviticus 19:2, which says, "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." Leviticus 19 describes the holy community through a series of specific commandments. Leviticus 20 warns against the snares of sexual immorality and idolatry, mandating a death penalty for certain sins. Except in biblical leap years, Kedoshim is read on the same Sabbath as the previous reading, Acharei Mot.

TORAH: LEVITICUS 16:1-18:30HAFTARAH: EZEKIEL 22:1-19GOSPEL: MATTHEW 15:10-20; MARK 12:28-34

The above audio readings are for the regular weekly Torah portions, but are often interrupted with special readings on Jewish holidays, special Sabbaths, and Rosh Chodesh. We only provide the regular audio readings when these interruptions occur. Refer to the current Torah Portion Schedule or the curent year's readings for variations.

The twenty-ninth reading from the Torah and sixth reading from Leviticus is named Acharei Mot, two words that mean "after the death." The title comes from the first words of the first verse of the reading, which say, "Now the LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron" (Leviticus 16:1). Leviticus 16 describes the Tabernacle ceremony for the holy festival of the Day of Atonement. Leviticus 17 establishes general rules for sacrifice and sanctuary. Leviticus 18 lays down specific laws about permitted and forbidden sexual relationships.

Taken from: Acharei Mot | Portions Listings - Reading and Audio | Torah Portions (ffoz.org)

The twenty-eighth reading from the Torah is Metzora, a word that means "leper." The word appears in the second verse of the reading, which says, "This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing" (Leviticus 14:2). Leviticus 14 spells out the complex purification rituals for the cleansing of a leper and a leprous home. Leviticus 15 briefly covers the laws regarding ritual unfitness stemming from bodily emissions. Except in biblical calendar leap years, Metzora is read together with the previous Torah portion, Tazria, on the same Sabbath.

“Adir hu, yivneh beyto be’karov — bim’hera, bim’hera, be’yameynu be’karov. El b’ney, el b’ney, b’ney betkha be’karov,” which is to say: “Strong [Adir] is He, He will build His Temple soon — swiftly, swiftly, in days soon to come. Lord, build, Lord, build, build Your Temple soon.”

The name of the twenty-seventh reading from the Torah is Tazria, which means "she conceived." The name is derived from the words of Leviticus 12:2, where the LORD says to Moses, "When a woman [conceives] and bears a male child." Leviticus 12 discusses the laws of purification after childbirth. Leviticus 13 introduces the laws for diagnosing and quarantining lepers. Except in biblical calendar leap years, Tazria is read together with the subsequent Torah portion, Metzora, on the same Sabbath.

Shemini is the twenty-sixth reading from the Torah and third reading from the book of Leviticus. The word shemini means "eighth," and it comes from the first words of Exodus 9:1, which says, "Now it came about on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel" (Leviticus 9:1). The text goes on to describe the events of the eight day after setting up the Tabernacle, a phenomenal worship service followed by a tragic incident. The reading concludes with the biblical dietary laws regarding animals fit for consumption and prohibitions regarding those that are unfit.

The twenty-fifth reading from the Torah and second reading from the book of Leviticus is called Tzav, which means "Command." The name comes from the first word of Leviticus 6:9, where the LORD says to Moses, "Command Aaron and his sons ..." Tzav reiterates the five types of sacrifices introduced in the previous portion but this time discusses the priestly regulations pertaining to them. The last chapter of the reading describes the seven-day ordination of Aaron and his sons as they prepared to enter the holy priesthood.

Also read this week due to Purim * book of Esther