Acharei-Mot - Leviticus
| Hebrew Title | VaYikra |
| English Meaning | And He Called |
| Torah Reading | Leviticus 1:1–6:7 |
| Prophets Reading | Isaiah 43:21–44:23 |
| Gospel Reading | Romans 8:1–13 |
| Leviticus describes the sacrificial service and the duties of the priests. It also introduces ritual purity, the biblical diet, the calendar of appointed times, laws of holiness and laws relating to redemption, vows and tithes. In addition, Leviticus discourses on ethical instruction and holiness. This portion introduces the sacrificial service and describes five different types of sacrifices. | |
| Hebrew Title | Tzav |
| English Meaning | Command |
| Torah Reading | Leviticus 6:8–8:36 |
| Prophets Reading | Jeremiah 7:21–8:3, 9:22–23 |
| Gospel Reading | Romans 8:1–13 |
| 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. | |
| Hebrew Title | Shemeni |
| English Meaning | Eighth |
| Torah Reading | Leviticus 9:1–11:47 |
| Prophets Reading | II Samuel 6:1–7:17 |
| Gospel Reading | Acts 10:1–35 |
| 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. | |
| Hebrew Title | Tazria |
| English Meaning | Leprosy |
| Torah Reading | Leviticus 12:1–13:59 |
| Prophets Reading | II Kings 4:42–5:19 |
| Gospel Reading | Matthew 8:1–4, 11:2–6 Mark 1:40–45 |
| 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. | |
| Hebrew Title | Metzora |
| English Meaning | Cleansing the Leper |
| Torah Reading | Leviticus 14:1–15:33 |
| Prophets Reading | II Kings 7:3–20 |
| Gospel Reading | Matthew 9:20–26 Mark 5:24–34 |
| 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. | |
| Hebrew Title | Acharei Mot |
| English Meaning | After the Death |
| Torah Reading | Leviticus 16:1–18:30 |
| Prophets Reading | Ezekiel 22:1–19 |
| Gospel Reading | Romans 3:19–28, 9:30– 10:13 Galatians 3:10–14 |
| "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. | |
| Hebrew Title | Kedoshim |
| English Meaning | Holy Ones |
| Torah Reading | Leviticus 19:1–20:27 |
| Prophets Reading | Amos 9:7–15 Ezekiel 20:2–20 |
| Gospel Reading | Matthew 5:33–48, 15:1–11 I Peter 1:13–21 |
| 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. | |
| Hebrew Title | Emor |
| English Meaning | Say |
| Torah Reading | Leviticus 21:1–24:23 |
| Prophets Reading | Ezekiel 44:15–31 |
| Gospel Reading | I Peter 2:4–10 |
| Emor begins with special laws of sanctity, propriety and purity for the priesthood. Leviticus 23 provides an overview of the biblical calendar, a listing of the LORD's appointed times. | |
| Hebrew Title | Behar |
| English Meaning | On the Mount |
| Torah Reading | Leviticus 25:1–26:2 |
| Prophets Reading | Jeremiah 32:6–27 |
| Gospel Reading | Luke 4:16–21 |
| This portion from the Torah introduces the laws of the sabbatical years, the jubilee and laws concerning redemption. In most years, synagogues read Behar together with the following portion, Bechukotai. | |
| Hebrew Title | Bechukotai |
| English Meaning | In My Statutes |
| Torah Reading | Leviticus 26:3–27:34 |
| Prophets Reading | Jeremiah 16:19–17:14 |
| Gospel Reading | John 14:15–21, 15:10– 12 |
| "The LORD then spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai" (Leviticus 25:1). This portion from the Torah introduces the laws of the sabbatical years, the jubilee and laws concerning redemption. In most years, synagogues read Behar together with the following portion, Bechukotai. | |
