Breishiet - Genesis
| Hebrew Title | Bereishit |
| English Meaning | In the beginning |
| Torah Reading | Gen 1:1-6:8 |
| Prophets Reading | Isaiah 42:5 – 43:11 |
| Gospel Reading | John 1:1 -14; Rev 22:6 -21t |
| The scroll of the Torah is the oldest and most sacred of all Israel's Scriptures. It contains five books. It is also the first word of the book in the Hebrew text, as well as the name for the first parashah (the first week's reading). B'reisheet means "in the beginning." | |
| Hebrew Title | Noach |
| English Meaning | Rest |
| Torah Reading | Gen 6:9 -11:32 |
| Prophets Reading | Isaiah 54:1 – 55:5 |
| Gospel Reading | Matt 24:36-46; I Pet 3:18-22 |
| The word Noach is related to the Hebrew word for "rest." Genesis 5:29 says that his parents named him Noah (Noach נח) because they hoped their son would give them "rest" from their toil. The contents of section Noah tell the story of Noah's flood, the tower of Babel and the beginning of the Abrahamic line. | |
| Hebrew Title | Lech Lecha |
| English Meaning | Go Forth |
| Torah Reading | Gen 12:1 - Gen 17:27 |
| Prophets Reading | Isaiah 40:27 - 41:16 |
| Gospel Reading | Matt1:1-17; Acts 7:1-8;Rom 3:19-5:6; Col 2:11-15 |
| Lech Lecha means "go forth." The first verse says, "Now the LORD said to Abram, 'Go forth from your country.'" Section Lech Lecha introduces Abraham and tells the story of his pilgrimage in pursuit of God. | |
| Hebrew Title | VaYera |
| English Meaning | He appeared |
| Torah Reading | Gen 18:1 - 22:24 |
| Prophets Reading | 2 Kings 4:1-37 |
| Gospel Reading | Luke 2:1-38; Romans 9:6-9; Gal 4:21-31; James 2:14-24 |
| Vayera. means "And he appeared" because the first story describes how the LORD appeared to Abraham one day as he sat outside his tent. Section Vayera continues with the series of tests of faith for Abraham, concluding in one great and final trial. | |
| Hebrew Title | Chayei Sarah |
| English Meaning | Sarah’s Life |
| Torah Reading | Genesis 23:1-25:18 |
| Prophets Reading | 1 Kings 1:1-31 |
| Gospel Reading | Matthew 2:1-23, 8:19-22, 27:3-10; Luke 9:57-62; |
| "Sarah lived," because the narrative begins with the words "Now Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years" (Genesis 23:1). It tells the story of how Abraham mourned his wife after her passing, and how he procured a wife for his son Isaac and ends with Abraham laid to rest beside Sarah. | |
| Hebrew Title | Toldot |
| English Meaning | Family History |
| Torah Reading | Genesis 25:19-28:9 |
| Prophets Reading | 1 Samuel 20:18-42; Malachi 1:1-2:7 |
| Gospel Reading | Luke 3:1-22; Romans 9:10-16; Hebrews 12:14-17 |
| Toldot begins with the words "Now these are the records of the generations of Isaac" (Genesis 25:19). Toldot tells us the story of the birth of Jacob and Esau and their struggle for the birthright and blessing of Isaac. The portion concludes with Jacob's deception of Isaac. | |
| Hebrew Title | VaYetze |
| English Meaning | He Went Out” |
| Torah Reading | Genesis 28:10 – 32:2 |
| Prophets Reading | Hosea 11:7 – 14:9; Psalm 91:1-16 |
| Gospel Reading | Matthew 3:13 – 4:11; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 |
| "And Jacob went out from Beersheba" (Gen28:10 ). This portion tells the story of Jacob's flight from Esau, his vision at Bethel, his employment with his uncle Laban and his marriage to Rachel and Leah. Jacob's double marriage results in a baby-bearing contest that gives him eleven sons. At the end of the portion, Jacob leaves Laban. | |
| Hebrew Title | VaYishlach |
| English Meaning | And He Sent |
| Torah Reading | Genesis 32:4–36:43 |
| Prophets Reading | Obadiah 1:1–21 Hosea 11:7–12:12; Joel 2:30-32 |
| Gospel Reading | Matthew 26:36–46 |
| Jacob prepares to meet Esau as he returns to the Promised Land, but first, he has a mysterious encounter with an angel in the darkness, who changes his name to Israel. The portion follows Jacob's adventures in the land of Canaan, including the loss of his beloved wife, Rachel. | |
| Hebrew Title | VaYeshev |
| English Meaning | And He Settled |
| Torah Reading | Genesis 37:1–40:23 |
| Prophets Reading | Amos 2:6–3:8 Zechariah 2:10–4:7 |
| Gospel Reading | Acts 7:9–16 |
| "Now Jacob [dwelt] in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan" (Genesis 37:1). Despite the portion's name and first verse, the story is actually about Jacob's son Joseph and how he was removed from the land of Canaan and dwelt in Egypt. The narrative follows Joseph from Canaan to Egypt to prison. In addition, this week's reading contains the story of Judah and Tamar. | |
| Hebrew Title | Miketz |
| English Meaning | At the End Of |
| Torah Reading | Genesis 41:1–44:17 |
| Prophets Reading | I Kings 3:15–4:1, 7:40– 50 |
| Gospel Reading | I Corinthians 2:1–5 |
| The portion begins with Pharaoh's portentous dreams, Joseph's interpretations and his subsequent rise to power over Egypt. When a famine strikes the land of Canaan, his brothers come to Egypt seeking grain, but they do not recognize Joseph, who engineers a means by which he can test their character. | |
| Hebrew Title | VaYigash |
| English Meaning | And He Drew Near |
| Torah Reading | Genesis 44:18–47:27 |
| Prophets Reading | Ezekiel 37:15–28 |
| Gospel Reading | Luke 6:9–16 |
| The portion begins with the dramatic unveiling of Joseph's true identity and his reconciliation with his brothers. It then proceeds to tell the story of the migration of Jacob's family to Egypt and the rest of the famine years. This Torah portion begins to set the stage for the Egyptian captivity of the sons of Jacob. | |
| Hebrew Title | VaYechi |
| English Meaning | And He Lived |
| Torah Reading | Genesis 47:28–50:26 |
| Prophets Reading | I Kings 2:1–12 |
| Gospel Reading | I Peter 1:1–9 |
| The portion begins with the dramatic unveiling of Joseph's true identity and his reconciliation with his brothers. It then proceeds to tell the story of the migration of Jacob's family to Egypt and the rest of the famine years. This Torah portion begins to set the stage for the Egyptian captivity of the sons of Jacob. | |
