Weekly Biblical Portions
- Devarim
- Vaetchanan
- Eikev
- Re’eh
- Shoftim
- Ki Teitzei
- Ki Tavo
- Nitzavim
- Vayeilech
- Ha’azinu
- Vezot Haberahah
Devarim
Parasha Devarim “Words” פָּרָשַׁת דְּבָרִים Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22, is the first Torah portion in Deuteronomy, the 5th and last Book of the Bible, and the 44th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading which begins on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year.
Parasha Devarim recounts the Israelite's forty years of wandering in the desert. And Joshua scouts out the land they are about to enter.
The bounty of the Land is revealed. Translation of Hebrew (Deuteronomy 1, 25):
“And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us…”
Vaetchanan
Parasha Vaetchanan “I Pleaded” פָּרָשַׁת וָאֶתְחַנַּן Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22, is the second Torah portion in Deuteronomy, the 5th and last Book of the Bible, and the 45th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading which begins on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year.
In Parasha Vaetchanan, Moses pleas in vain to be allowed to enter the land before his death. Moses warns the Israelites not to pursue idolatry and recounts the giving of the Ten Commandments. The portion also contains the Shema, a declaration of faith and a central text in Jewish prayer.
Moses pleas in vain to be allowed to enter the land before his death.
Deuteronomy 3, 27:
“Climb to the top of the cliff, and gaze to the west, north, south and east. Let your eyes feast on it, since you will not cross the Jordan.”
Eikev
Parashat Eikev “As a Result” פָּרָשַׁת עֵקֶב Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25, is the third Torah portion in Deuteronomy, the 5th and last Book of the Bible, and the 47th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading which begins on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year.
Moses describes the rewards of following the Torah and retells how he received the tablets of the law. Deuteronomy 9:10 "And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God."
A child is collecting grain, amidst the fruit of the land.
Deuteronomy 7:3:
“And He will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee; He will also bless the fruit of thy body and the fruit of thy land.”
Re’eh
Parashat Re’eh “See” פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17, is the third Torah portion in Deuteronomy, the 5th and last Book of the Bible, and the 46th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading which begins on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year.
Parasha Reeh tells of Joshua Ben Nun crossing the Jordan River into the land which has been promised to the Israelites and discusses rules of conduct including the freeing of slaves after a six year period.
Joshua Ben Nun crossing the Jordan
Deuteronomy 12:6:
“For ye are to pass over the Jordan to go in to possess the land…”
A slave is freed.
Deuteronomy 15:12):
“If thy brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, he shall serve thee six years; and in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.”
Shoftim
Parashat Shoftim “Judges” פָּרָשַׁת שׁוֹפְטִים Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9, is the fourth Torah portion in Deuteronomy, the 5th and last Book of the Bible, and the 48th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading which begins on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year.
Parasha Shoftim discusses the appointment of judges and cases involving cities of refuge.
A man is lying in wait for his neighbor.
Deuteronomy 19:11-12
“But if any man hate his neighbor, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die; and he flee into one of these cities…”
A priest listening to a dispute.
Deuteronomy 17:9
“And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days; and thou shalt inquire, and they shall declare unto thee the sentence of judgment.”
Ki Teitzei
Parashat Ki Teitzei “When You Go Out” פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תֵצֵא Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19, is the fifth Torah portion in Deuteronomy, the 5th and last Book of the Bible, and the 48th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading which begins on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year.
Parashat Ki Teitzei deals with laws of war, inheritance, marriage and divorce, and proper conduct in regard to all of G-d’s creatures.
Oxen work the fields unmuzzled so they can eat if they are hungry. They are paired with their own kind in order to share their burden equally, as required by Jewish law.
This scene is meant to express the peace and tranquility which can be enjoyed by the animal kingdom as well as by mankind if the laws of the Torah are practiced.
Ki Tavo
Parashat Ki Tavo “When You Come” פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תָבוֹא Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8, is the sixth Torah portion in Deuteronomy, the last Book of the Bible, and the 50th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading which begins on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year.
Parashat Ki Tavo deals with how the Israelites are to enter the land with Joshua as their leader. They are to bring the first fruits. At Mount Ebal, they are to erect stones on which the law is to be written, and build an altar.
The Israelites are setting up the prescribed stones and altar at Mount Ebal.
Translation of Hebrew Deuteronomy 27:4-5:
“When you cross the Jordan, you shall set up the stones…on Mount Ebal…there you shall then build an altar”
First fruits being brought
Nitzavim
Parashat Nitzavim “Standing” פָּרָשַׁת נִצָּבִים Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20, is the seventh Torah portion in Deuteronomy, the last Book of the Bible, and the 51st weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading which begins on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year.
In Parasha Nitzavim Moses addresses the Israelites, emphasizes the importance of following G-d’s covenant.
Vayeilech
Parashat Vayeilech “He Went” פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּלֶךְ Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30, is the eighth Torah portion in Deuteronomy, the last Book of the Bible, and the 52nd weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading which begins on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year.
Parasha Vayeilech deals with new leadership and the final preparations for entering the promised Land.
Joshua Ben Nun and Moses present themselves at the Tent of Meeting where G-d appears in a pillar of smoke.
Translation of Hebrew Deuteronomy 31:14-15:
“And the Lord said unto Moses: ‘…call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tent of meeting…’ And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tent of meeting. 15 …and the pillar of cloud stood over the door of the Tent…”
Ha’azinu
Parashat Ha’azinu “ Listen” פָּרָשַׁת הַאֲזִינוּ Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52, is the ninth Torah portion in Deuteronomy, the last Book of the Bible, and the 53rd weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading which begins on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year.
In Parashat Ha’azinu Moses calls upon the nations to rejoice in his farewell poem, and ascends Mount Nebo from where he can see the Promised Land.
Moses ascends Mount Nebo.
Deuteronomy 32:48:
“And the Lord spoke unto Moses…saying…’Get thee up into this mountain of Abarim, unto mount Nebo…’ “
A montage of themes from Moses’ farewell poem: the eagle who treats his young with love and affection, like G-d, who has everlasting patience for his people; the scales of justice; Moses, the elderly lawgiver; and Joshua Ben Nun who is about to take his place.
Vezot Haberahah
Parasha Vezot Haberahah “ And this is the blessing” פָּרָשַׁת וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12, is the last Torah portion in Deuteronomy, the last of the five Books of the Bible, and the 54th and last weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading which begins on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year.
In Parasha Vezot Haberahah Moses speaks to the Israelites, blesses the tribes, and dies at the age of one hundred and twenty.
Moses appears to the Israelites for the last time on Mount Nebo.
Moses dies.
Deuteronomy 34:7
“And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died…”
Israelcraft 
