Shemot - Exodus
| Hebrew Title | Shemot |
| English Meaning | Names |
| Torah Reading | Exodus 1:1–6:1 |
| Prophets Reading | Isaiah 27:6–28:13, 29:22–23 Jeremiah 1:1–2:3 |
| Gospel Reading | Acts 7:17–29 |
| The name Exodus is an abbreviated form of that title. Exodus means "departure." The book of Exodus tells the story of the children of Israel enslaved in Egypt and their miraculous redemption through the hand of Moses, the story of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, the construction of the golden calf and the construction of the Tabernacle. | |
| Hebrew Title | Va-era |
| English Meaning | And I Appeared |
| Torah Reading | Exodus 6:2–9:35 |
| Prophets Reading | Ezekiel 28:25–29:21 |
| Gospel Reading | Romans 9:14–33 |
| The portion begins with four expressions of redemption whereby God promises to bring Israel out of the Egyptian bondage. The narrative progresses to tell the story of the first seven of the ten plagues that God unleashed on Egypt. | |
| Hebrew Title | Bo |
| English Meaning | Enter / Go |
| Torah Reading | Exodus 10:1–13:16 |
| Prophets Reading | Jeremiah 46:13–28 |
| Gospel Reading | Luke 22:7–30 I Corinthians 11:20–34 |
| The portion begins by concluding the narrative of the ten plagues, the tenth of which is the slaying of the firstborn. To avoid the plague, the Israelites are given the instructions for the Passover sacrifice and the laws of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Pharaoh finally consents to let Israel go, and they leave Egypt. | |
| Hebrew Title | B’shalach |
| English Meaning | When He Let Go |
| Torah Reading | Exodus 13:17–17:16 |
| Prophets Reading | Judges 4:4–5:31 |
| Gospel Reading | John 6:15–71 |
| The reading tells the adventures of the Israelites as they leave Egypt, cross the Red Sea, receive miraculous provision in the wilderness and face their first battle. | |
| Hebrew Title | Yithro |
| English Meaning | Jethro |
| Torah Reading | Exodus 18:1–20:23 |
| Prophets Reading | Isaiah 6:1–7:6, 9:5–6 |
| Gospel Reading | Matthew 5:8–20 |
| The portion tells the story of Jethro's visit to the camp of Israel, then relates the great theophany at Mount Sinai, where God gives Israel the Ten Commandments and invites the people to enter a special covenant relationship with Him. | |
| Hebrew Title | Mishpatim |
| English Meaning | Ordinances |
| Torah Reading | Exodus 21:1–24:18 |
| Prophets Reading | Jeremiah 33:25–26, 34:8–22 |
| Gospel Reading | Matthew 5:38–42, 17:1–11 |
| The first three chapters of this Torah portion deliver a legal code of laws and commandments that form a nucleus for the Torah's laws. The last chapter tells the story of how the people of Israel consented to keep these laws and entered into a covenant relationship with God through a series of rituals conducted by Moses. | |
| Hebrew Title | Terumah |
| English Meaning | Offerings |
| Torah Reading | Exodus 25:1–27:19 |
| Prophets Reading | I Kings 5:12-6:13 |
| Gospel Reading | Matthew 5:33-37 |
| In the Torah, terumah refers to a certain type of offering dedicated to the Temple, like a tithe or firstfruits offering. In Exodus 25, the contribution is for the building of a holy place. This Torah reading is occupied with the instructions for the building of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. | |
| Hebrew Title | Tetzaveh |
| English Meaning | You Shall Command |
| Torah Reading | Exodus 27:20–30:10 |
| Prophets Reading | Ezekiel 43:10–27 |
| Gospel Reading | Philippians 4:10–20 |
| This Torah portion continues to narrate the instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, focusing particularly on the priesthood that was to serve in that sanctuary. The Israelites are commanded to make special garments for Aaron and his sons to wear while ministering as priests. After describing the priestly garments, the portion concludes with instructions for the ritual inauguration of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood. | |
| Hebrew Title | Ki Tisa |
| English Meaning | When You Elevate |
| Torah Reading | Exodus 30:11–34:35 |
| Prophets Reading | I Kings 18:1–39 |
| Gospel Reading | I Corinthians 8:4–13 |
| The portion begins with instructions for taking a census, finishes up the instructions for making the Tabernacle, reiterates the commandment of Shabbat and then proceeds to tell the story of the golden calf. The majority of Ki Tisa is concerned with the sin of the golden calf, the breach in the covenant between God and Israel, and how Moses undertakes to restore that covenant relationship. | |
| Hebrew Title | VaYachel |
| English Meaning | And He Assembled |
| Torah Reading | Exodus 35:1–38:20 |
| Prophets Reading | I Kings 7:13–8:21 |
| Gospel Reading | II Corinthians 9:1–15 |
| This portion from the Torah describes how the assembly of Israel worked together to build the Tabernacle. In most years, synagogues read Vayakhel together with the following portion, Pekudei. | |
| Hebrew Title | Pekudei |
| English Meaning | Accounts Of |
| Torah Reading | Exodus 38:21–40:38 |
| Prophets Reading | |
| Gospel Reading | Revelation 11:1–13, 15:5–8 |
| The portion goes on to describe the completion of the Tabernacle and its assembly and concludes by depicting the glory of the LORD entering it. In most years, synagogues read Pekudei together with the previous portion, Vayakhel; therefore, the comments on this week's reading will be brief. | |
