https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/calendar-the-parshah-cycle.xml /articles/calendar-the-parshah-cycle xml article The Parshah Cycle The Torah is divided into 54 parshiyot; one is read each Shabbat, completing the cycle annually on Simchat Torah. The New Jew /index.xml Sacred Time /sections/sacred-time.xml The Parshah Cycle /articles/calendar-the-parshah-cycle.xml https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/calendar-the-parshah-cycle https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/calendar-the-parshah-cycle.json <_xml>https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/calendar-the-parshah-cycle.xml
calendar-the-parshah-cycle The Parshah Cycle The Torah is divided into 54 parshiyot; one is read each Shabbat, completing the cycle annually on Simchat Torah. Summary. The Torah is divided into 54 parshiyot, read in synagogue on a one-year cycle. The cycle begins on the Shabbat after Simchat Torah with Parshat Bereshit and ends on Simchat Torah with V'zot HaBracha; the same Simchat Torah immediately re-begins the cycle with the first verses of Bereshit, in a deliberate gesture that the Torah has no end. In some years two parshiyot are combined to fit the calendar (Vayakhel-Pekudei, Tazria-Metzora, Acharei-Kedoshim, Behar-Bechukotai, Chukat-Balak, Matot-Masei, Nitzavim-Vayelech). See Calendar.xlsx for the full list. essential calendar parshah torah reading annual cycle 2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z 668 3
sacred-time Sacred Time
summary Summary. The [Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-T) is divided into 54 [parshiyot](/glossary.xml#letter-P), read in synagogue on a one-year cycle. The cycle begins on the Shabbat after [Simchat Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-S) with Parshat [Bereshit](/glossary.xml#letter-B) and ends on Simchat Torah with [V'zot HaBracha](/glossary.xml#letter-V); the same Simchat Torah immediately re-begins the cycle with the first verses of Bereshit, in a deliberate gesture that the Torah has no end. In some years two parshiyot are combined to fit the calendar (Vayakhel-Pekudei, Tazria-Metzora, Acharei-Kedoshim, Behar-Bechukotai, Chukat-Balak, Matot-Masei, Nitzavim-Vayelech). See Calendar.xlsx for the full list. Summary. The Torah is divided into 54 parshiyot, read in synagogue on a one-year cycle. The cycle begins on the Shabbat after Simchat Torah with Parshat Bereshit and ends on Simchat Torah with V'zot HaBracha; the same Simchat Torah immediately re-begins the cycle with the first verses of Bereshit, in a deliberate gesture that the Torah has no end. In some years two parshiyot are combined to fit the calendar (Vayakhel-Pekudei, Tazria-Metzora, Acharei-Kedoshim, Behar-Bechukotai, Chukat-Balak, Matot-Masei, Nitzavim-Vayelech). See Calendar.xlsx for the full list. heading How the Cycle Works How the Cycle Works paragraph The Torah's 54 parshiyot are read in synagogue on consecutive [Shabbatot](/glossary.xml#letter-S). A standard 12-month year has 50–52 Shabbatot; a leap year has 54–55. To make 54 parshiyot fit a 50-Shabbat year, certain parshiyot are paired together and read on the same Shabbat. The combinations are fixed by long-standing custom: Vayakhel-Pekudei (the close of [Shemot](/glossary.xml#letter-S)), Tazria-Metzora and Acharei-Kedoshim ([Vayikra](/glossary.xml#letter-V)), Behar-Bechukotai (the close of Vayikra), Chukat-Balak and Matot-Masei ([Bamidbar](/glossary.xml#letter-B)), and Nitzavim-Vayelech (toward the close of [Devarim](/glossary.xml#letter-D)). The combinations vary by year. The Torah's 54 parshiyot are read in synagogue on consecutive Shabbatot. A standard 12-month year has 50–52 Shabbatot; a leap year has 54–55. To make 54 parshiyot fit a 50-Shabbat year, certain parshiyot are paired together and read on the same Shabbat. The combinations are fixed by long-standing custom: Vayakhel-Pekudei (the close of Shemot), Tazria-Metzora and Acharei-Kedoshim (Vayikra), Behar-Bechukotai (the close of Vayikra), Chukat-Balak and Matot-Masei (Bamidbar), and Nitzavim-Vayelech (toward the close of Devarim). The combinations vary by year. heading The Reading at Shul The Reading at Shul paragraph On Shabbat morning, the parshah is divided into seven (sometimes eight) [aliyot](/glossary.xml#letter-A), each of which is recited by a different congregant (the [oleh](/glossary.xml#letter-O) — one called up). The Torah scroll is opened, the oleh recites the blessing before reading, the reader chants the aliyah, and the oleh recites the blessing after reading. The [maftir](/glossary.xml#letter-M) (the closing aliyah on Shabbat) is followed by the [haftarah](/glossary.xml#letter-H), the prophetic reading. After the haftarah, the Torah is rolled up, dressed, and returned to [the Ark](/glossary.xml#letter-A). On Shabbat morning, the parshah is divided into seven (sometimes eight) aliyot, each of which is recited by a different congregant (the oleh — one called up). The Torah scroll is opened, the oleh recites the blessing before reading, the reader chants the aliyah, and the oleh recites the blessing after reading. The maftir (the closing aliyah on Shabbat) is followed by the haftarah, the prophetic reading. After the haftarah, the Torah is rolled up, dressed, and returned to the Ark. heading Studying the Parshah Studying the Parshah paragraph Many observant Jews read the parshah at home in advance of Shabbat — often with [Rashi](/glossary.xml#letter-R)'s commentary alongside. The standard practice is to study the parshah twice (the Hebrew text alone, twice) and once with [Targum Onkelos](/glossary.xml#letter-T) (the Aramaic translation/paraphrase) — a practice traced to the [Talmud](/glossary.xml#letter-T) ([Berachot 8a](https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.8a)) and codified in the [Shulchan Aruch](/glossary.xml#letter-S) ([Orach Chaim 285](https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Orach_Chayim.285)). Many use the [Steinsaltz](/glossary.xml#letter-A) or Koren [Chumash](/glossary.xml#letter-C). Online, Sefaria, Aleph Beta (for video commentary), and [Chabad](/glossary.xml#letter-C).org (for [Hasidic](/glossary.xml#letter-H) readings) are excellent. [Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks](/glossary.xml#letter-J)'s Covenant & Conversation series provides the best contemporary parshah essay each week (available free online or in book form). Many observant Jews read the parshah at home in advance of Shabbat — often with Rashi's commentary alongside. The standard practice is to study the parshah twice (the Hebrew text alone, twice) and once with Targum Onkelos (the Aramaic translation/paraphrase) — a practice traced to the Talmud (Berachot 8a) and codified in the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 285). Many use the Steinsaltz or Koren Chumash. Online, Sefaria, Aleph Beta (for video commentary), and Chabad.org (for Hasidic readings) are excellent. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks's Covenant & Conversation series provides the best contemporary parshah essay each week (available free online or in book form). heading Simchat Torah Simchat Torah paragraph The annual completion of the Torah cycle is celebrated on Simchat Torah (the 22nd of [Tishrei](/glossary.xml#letter-T) in Israel; the 23rd in the diaspora). The last verses of Devarim are read; then the Torah is rolled all the way back to the beginning, and the first verses of Bereshit are read immediately — a graphic affirmation that the Torah has no end. All members of the congregation dance with the Torah scrolls in [hakafot](/glossary.xml#letter-H) (circuits). It is one of the most joyful days of the Jewish year. See the Holidays chapter for the full treatment. The annual completion of the Torah cycle is celebrated on Simchat Torah (the 22nd of Tishrei in Israel; the 23rd in the diaspora). The last verses of Devarim are read; then the Torah is rolled all the way back to the beginning, and the first verses of Bereshit are read immediately — a graphic affirmation that the Torah has no end. All members of the congregation dance with the Torah scrolls in hakafot (circuits). It is one of the most joyful days of the Jewish year. See the Holidays chapter for the full treatment. heading The Triennial Cycle The Triennial Cycle paragraph An older system, known from the ancient Land of Israel and revived in the [Reform](/glossary.xml#letter-R) and Conservative movements in modern times, reads only one-third of each parshah each year, completing the entire Torah over three years. Most Reform congregations follow a [triennial cycle](/glossary.xml#letter-T); most American Conservative congregations do too, along with some [Reconstructionist](/glossary.xml#letter-R) communities. [Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-O) [shul](/glossary.xml#letter-S)s universally follow the annual cycle. An older system, known from the ancient Land of Israel and revived in the Reform and Conservative movements in modern times, reads only one-third of each parshah each year, completing the entire Torah over three years. Most Reform congregations follow a triennial cycle; most American Conservative congregations do too, along with some Reconstructionist communities. Orthodox shuls universally follow the annual cycle. heading Where Denominations Diverge Where Denominations Diverge paragraph Orthodox: annual cycle universally. Conservative: the vast majority of American congregations follow the triennial cycle adopted by the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards in 1988; a minority still read the full annual cycle. Reform: most use the triennial cycle. [Sephardic](/glossary.xml#letter-S) and [Ashkenazi](/glossary.xml#letter-A) follow the same cycle. The full list of parshiyot and their estimated calendar dates for the next several years is in Calendar.xlsx. Orthodox: annual cycle universally. Conservative: the vast majority of American congregations follow the triennial cycle adopted by the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards in 1988; a minority still read the full annual cycle. Reform: most use the triennial cycle. Sephardic and Ashkenazi follow the same cycle. The full list of parshiyot and their estimated calendar dates for the next several years is in Calendar.xlsx. heading Sources Sources paragraph [Talmud Bavli](/glossary.xml#letter-T), [Megillah 31a](https://www.sefaria.org/Megillah.31a); Berachot 8a. Talmud Bavli, Megillah 31a; Berachot 8a. paragraph [Rambam](/glossary.xml#letter-R), [Mishneh Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-M), [Hilchot Tefillah 13](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Prayer_and_the_Priestly_Blessing.13). Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Tefillah 13. paragraph Shulchan Aruch, [Orach Chaim 282–285](https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Orach_Chayim.282-285). Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 282–285. paragraph [Tractate Soferim](https://www.sefaria.org/Tractate_Soferim). Tractate Soferim. paragraph [Why Do We Sometimes Read a Double Torah Portion?](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3779325/jewish/Why-Do-We-Sometimes-Read-a-Double-Torah-Portion.htm) — Chabad.org. Why Do We Sometimes Read a Double Torah Portion? — Chabad.org. paragraph [Yearly Parsha (Torah Reading) Cycle](https://aish.com/yearly-parsha-torah-reading-cycle/) — Aish. Yearly Parsha (Torah Reading) Cycle — Aish. paragraph [Berakhot 8.a](https://steinsaltz-center.org/portal/library/Talmud/Berakhot/chapter/8.a) — Steinsaltz Center. Berakhot 8.a — Steinsaltz Center. paragraph [15 Simchat Torah Facts Every Jew Should Know](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4129258/jewish/15-Simchat-Torah-Facts-Every-Jew-Should-Know.htm) — Chabad.org. 15 Simchat Torah Facts Every Jew Should Know — Chabad.org. heading Further Reading Further Reading paragraph Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Covenant & Conversation (multiple volumes). Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Covenant & Conversation (multiple volumes). paragraph Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg, The Beginning of Desire (Bereshit), The Particulars of Rapture (Shemot). Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg, The Beginning of Desire (Bereshit), The Particulars of Rapture (Shemot). paragraph The Steinsaltz Chumash; the Koren Shalem Chumash. The Steinsaltz Chumash; the Koren Shalem Chumash. calendar-how-the-jewish-calendar-works How the Jewish Calendar Works /articles/calendar-how-the-jewish-calendar-works.xml calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day Daf Yomi: A Page a Day /articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.xml calendar-counting-the-omer-sefirat-haomer Counting the Omer (Sefirat HaOmer) /articles/calendar-counting-the-omer-sefirat-haomer.xml calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day Daf Yomi: A Page a Day deeper /articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.xml holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fasts The Four Minor Fasts deeper /articles/holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fasts.xml Adin Steinsaltz עדין שטיינזלץ Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz (1937–2020) produced a monumental Hebrew translation and commentary on the entire Babylonian Talmud, later rendered into English, opening the Talmud to a generation of learners without a yeshiva background. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Ashkenazi אשכנזי Describing Jews whose families trace to Central and Eastern Europe, and the customs, liturgy, and Hebrew pronunciation of those communities. The broad counterpart terms are Sephardi and Edot HaMizrach. Bamidbar בְּמִדְבַּר The fourth book of the Torah, called Numbers in English. The Hebrew name means 'in the wilderness,' where its narrative unfolds. Bereshit בְּרֵאשִׁית The first book of the Torah — Genesis — and the name of its first weekly portion. The word itself means 'in the beginning.' Chabad חב״ד Chabad-Lubavitch is a Hasidic movement, historically headquartered in the Russian town of Lubavitch, known today for its worldwide network of Chabad Houses that offer hospitality, classes, and holiday services to Jews of every background, often in places with no other organized Jewish community. community-finding-a-shul Chumash חֻמָּשׁ The Five Books of Moses in printed, bound form — from chamesh, 'five' — usually with translation and commentary, used to follow the Torah reading in synagogue. Devarim דְּבָרִים The fifth book of the Torah — Deuteronomy — consisting of Moshe's farewell addresses. The name means 'words.' Hasidism חֲסִידוּת The mystical revival movement founded by the Baal Shem Tov in 18th-century Eastern Europe, teaching that God can be served with joy in every act and every person. Its communities, each led by a Rebbe, remain a major force in Jewish life. going-deeper-deeper-questions-hasidism-vs-mitnagdism Jonathan Sacks Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (1948–2020) served as Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and became one of the most widely read Jewish thinkers of his generation; his commentary anchors the Koren Shalem Siddur, the Field Guide's recommended first siddur for most New Jews. where-to-start-your-first-siddur Mishneh Torah מִשְׁנֵה תּוֹרָה The Rambam's monumental 12th-century code of Jewish law — the first work to organize the whole of Halacha systematically, from prayer to Temple service. Orthodox Judaism Orthodox Judaism holds Halacha as fully binding and the Shulchan Aruch as its canonical code; it spans Haredi and Hasidic communities as well as Modern Orthodoxy, and is the starting point from which this Field Guide is written, even as it engages seriously with other denominations. how-to-use-this-field-guide Rambam רמב״ם Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1138–1204), known by the acronym Rambam and in the Latin West as Maimonides, was the towering rationalist codifier and philosopher of medieval Judaism — author of the legal code Mishneh Torah and the philosophical Guide for the Perplexed. His formulation of God's unity and incorporeality remains foundational to Jewish theology across denominations. essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god Rashi רש״י Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040–1105) of Troyes, France, is the single most influential commentator on the Tanakh and the Talmud; his terse, page-anchoring commentary appears alongside almost every printed edition of both. A New Jew encounters Rashi constantly — in every Chumash, on every page of Talmud. essentials-essential-judaica-mezuzah Reconstructionist Judaism Founded by Mordecai Kaplan, Reconstructionist Judaism understands Judaism as an evolving religious civilization rather than a fixed set of supernatural commandments, and was an early adopter of patrilineal descent and full gender egalitarianism. how-to-use-this-field-guide Reform Judaism Reform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis. how-to-use-this-field-guide Sephardi סְפָרַדִּי A Jew whose family traces to medieval Spain and Portugal — and, in common usage, to the broader communities of the Mediterranean and Middle East that follow Sephardic law and liturgy. The plural is Sephardim. Shabbat שַׁבָּת The seventh day — the weekly day of rest from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall, marked by candle lighting, kiddush, festive meals, and rest from creative work. where-to-start-your-first-shabbat Shemot שְׁמוֹת The book of Exodus — the Torah's second book, called by its opening Hebrew word, 'names'; also the name of that book's first weekly portion. Shulchan Aruch שולחן ערוך Literally 'the set table' — the authoritative 16th-century code of Jewish law by Rabbi Yosef Karo, printed with the Ashkenazi glosses of Rabbi Moshe Isserles. It remains the baseline reference for halachic practice. Simchat Torah שמחת תורה 'The joy of the Torah' — the festival on which the annual Torah-reading cycle is completed and immediately begun again, celebrated with seven circuits of dancing with the scrolls. holidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah Talmud תלמוד The vast rabbinic work — the Mishnah together with the Gemara's discussion of it — that develops the Oral Torah into Jewish law and thought. It is the central text of Jewish study after the Bible itself. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Talmud Bavli תלמוד בבלי The Babylonian Talmud, completed around 500 CE in the academies of Babylonia — the more extensive of the two Talmuds and the authoritative one for Jewish law. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Targum Onkelos תרגום אונקלוס The ancient Aramaic translation of the Torah attributed to the convert Onkelos, printed alongside the Hebrew in traditional Chumashim and studied weekly with the parshah. Tishrei תשרי The autumn month that opens the Jewish year, dense with holy days: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah. Torah תּוֹרָה The Five Books of Moses — the scroll at the center of Jewish life — and, more broadly, the whole of Jewish teaching. 'Learning Torah' can mean anything from Chumash to Talmud. Triennial cycle An ancient Land-of-Israel practice, revived by many Reform and some Conservative congregations, of reading roughly one-third of each week's Torah portion per year and completing the full Torah over three years rather than one. calendar-the-parshah-cycle V'zot HaBerachah וזאת הברכה 'And this is the blessing' — the final parshah of the Torah, Moses' farewell blessing; it is read on Simchat Torah as the annual cycle ends and begins again. Vayikra ויקרא The Book of Leviticus, third of the Five Books of the Torah, named for its opening word, 'And He called'; its concerns are the sanctuary, the offerings, and holiness. aliyah עלייה Literally 'going up' — the honor of being called up to the Torah during its public reading (plural: aliyot). The same word describes immigrating to the Land of Israel. aron kodesh אֲרוֹן קֹדֶשׁ The 'holy ark' — the cabinet at the front of the synagogue, usually on the wall facing Jerusalem, in which the Torah scrolls are kept. The congregation stands when it is opened. haftarah הַפְטָרָה The selection from the Prophets chanted after the Torah reading on Shabbat and festivals, chosen for its thematic link to the day or the weekly portion. hakafot הַקָּפוֹת Circuits — festive processions around the synagogue, most famously the seven rounds of dancing with the Torah scrolls on Simchat Torah. maftir מַפְטִיר The concluding portion of the Torah reading — and the person called up for it, who then chants the haftarah. oleh עוֹלֶה Literally 'one who goes up' — the person called up to the Torah for an aliyah during the public reading. The same word is used for an immigrant to Israel. parshah פָּרָשָׁה parashah The weekly Torah portion — one of 54 divisions of the Torah, one (occasionally two) read each Shabbat so that the whole Torah is completed every year. The plural is parshiyot. calendar-the-parshah-cycle shul שול The Yiddish word for synagogue, used warmly across the Jewish world for the house of prayer, study, and community. community-finding-a-shul parent Sacred Time /sections/sacred-time.xml related How the Jewish Calendar Works /articles/calendar-how-the-jewish-calendar-works.xml related Daf Yomi: A Page a Day /articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.xml related Counting the Omer (Sefirat HaOmer) /articles/calendar-counting-the-omer-sefirat-haomer.xml related Daf Yomi: A Page a Day /articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.xml related The Four Minor Fasts /articles/holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fasts.xml