Weekly Biblical Portions
Parashat Shemot
Parashat Vaera
Parashat Bo
Parashat Beshalach
Parashat Yitro
Parashat Mishpatim
Parashat Terumah
Parashat Tetzaveh
Parashat Ki Tisa
Parashat Vayakhel
Parashat Pekudei
Shemot
IParashat Shemot “Names” שְׁמוֹת Exodus 1:1-6:1, is the first Torah portion in the Book of Exodus, the second Book of the Bible, and the 13th weekly portion in the yearly cycle of Torah reading beginning on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year. In it, Moses is born, grows up and flees to Midian. In his wanderings as a shepherd, he encounters the burning bush and returns to Egypt to free the enslaved Jewish Nation.
Moses is discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter, with Miriam looking on.
An angel appears to Moses in a burning bush.
Vaera
Parashat Vaera “I Appeared” וָאֵרָא Exodus 6:2-9:35 is the 14th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading, and the second portion of the Book of Exodus. In this portion, Moses returns from Midian, and begins his mission to free the enslaved Israelites and bring them to Canaan. Pharaoh resists and the plagues begin; water turns to blood, Egypt is overrun with frogs, lice, and wild animals; livestock die, followed by an epidemic of boils, and the heaviest hail that Egypt has experienced. But still Pharaoh will not let the Israelites go.
Aaron stands by the Nile, rod lifted, about to smote it and turn it to blood. Moses stands nearby, arms lifted to God in prayer.
Aaron performs his first miracle, turning his rod into a serpent before Pharaoh.
Bo
Parashat Bo “Come” בֹּא Exodus 10:1-13:16 is the third Torah portion in the Book of Exodus, and the 15th weekly Torah portion in the annual cycle of Torah reading.
It recounts the last three plagues that G-d inflicts on the Egyptians: locusts, darkness, and death of firstborns. G-d commands the Israelites to offer a Passover lamb sacrifice. After the last plague, Pharaoh and the Egyptians demand that the Israelites leave.
Lambs are brought, one per household.
At dusk the lambs are being sacrificed.
The entrance of an Israelite dwelling is marked, using a hyssop branch, to keep it safe from the plague of the first born. Translation of Hebrew (Exodus 13, 3):
“And Moses said unto the people: ‘Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage…”
Beshalach
Parashat Beshalach “When He Let Go” פָּרָשַׁת בְּשַׁלַּח Exodus 13:17-17:16, is the Fourth Portion in the Book of Exodus, the second Book of the Five books of the Bible which are read annually beginning on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year. It tells of the escape of the Israelites from Egypt which they celebrate with Moses’ Song at the Sea and Miriam’s Song.
Moses Parting Waters
Song of the Sea, Miriam leading
Yitro
Parashat Yitro “Jethro” יִתְרוֹ Exodus 18:1-20:2 is the fifth Portion in the Book of Exodus, the second Book of the Five books of the Bible; which are read annually beginning on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year. In it, Moses’ wife Zipporah, her children, and her father Yitro, a Medianite priest, come to the Israelite’s camp at Mount Sinai where they gather to hear the Ten Commandments spoken by God. Yitro suggests that Moses get help in the solving of judicial disputes.
Moses welcomes his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law, Yitro, and his sons, Gershon and Eleazar.
Moses listens to a judicial complaint
The Israelites congregate at the bottom of Mount Sinai, to hear the Ten Commandments being spoken by G-d.
Mishpatim
Parashat Mishpatim “Laws” מִּשְׁפָּטִים Exodus 13:17-17:16, is the sixth portion in the Book of Exodus, the second Book of the Five books of the Bible, read annually, beginning on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year. In it, the congregation of Israel continues to hear the oral law spoken by God on Mount Sinai including the rights of bondsmen, laws concerning personal injury, murder, and property offenses. Also mentioned are the offering of the first fruits of the harvest and of young ox and sheep.
Women are bringing their offerings of the first fruits of the harvest, while men are bringing young sheep as offerings to be sacrificed to G-d
Moses ascends Mount Sinai while seventy of the elders of Israel watch from afar.
Terumah
Parasha Terumah "Offering" פָּרָשַׁת תְּרוּמָה Exodus 25:1-27:19, is the Seventh Portion in the Book of Exodus, the second Book of the Five books of the Bible, and the 19th weekly portion in the yearly cycle of Torah reading beginning on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year. It tells of the contributions that are to be made for the building of the Tabernacle and directions for erecting it.
Tezaveh
Parasha Tetzaveh “You Shall Command” פָּרָשַׁת תְּצַוֶּה Exodus 27:20-30:11, is the Eighth Portion in the Book of Exodus, the second Book of the Five books of the Bible, and the 20th weekly portion in the yearly cycle of Torah reading which are read annually beginning on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year. In it, God tells Moses in detail how to dress and anoint Aaron, the high priest, and his sons.
Ki Tisa
Parasha Ki Tisa “When you rise above” פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תִשָּׂא Exodus 30:11-34:35, is the Ninth Portion in the Book of Exodus, the second Book of the Five books of the Bible, and the 21st weekly portion in the yearly cycle of Torah reading starting on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year. Parasha Ki Tisa is, in part, a continuation of the laws of the Sanctuary as given to Moses on reception of the tablets on Mount Sinai. But the people are anxious on his delayed return and make themselves a golden calf. Moses breaks the tablets; 3000 are slain over the incident, Moses goes back to Mount Sinai, speaks on behalf of the people, fasts for forty more days, and receives a second set of tablets.
Moses receives tablets on Mount Sinai.
Translation of Hebrew (Exodus 31, 18): “And He gave unto Moses, when He had made an end of speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of G-d.”
Haftorah (Shabbot reading after the Torah Portion) Ki Tisa, Kings 1, 18:1-39. Elijah and the false prophets are having a contest on Mount Carmel over which deity to worship, Baal or G-d. G-d sends fire to consume the elevation offering which burns, in spite of the water that Elijah has poured on it to drench the wood. We see fire descending from heaven and water splashing everywhere. It is based on the painting “Balaam Blesses Israel” by 19th century painter Hippolyte Flandrin.
Vayachel
Parashat Vayakhel “He Assembled” פָּרָשַׁת וַיַּקְהֵל Exodus 35:1-38:20 is the tenth Torah portion in the Book of Exodus, the second Book of the Bible, and the 22nd weekly portion in the yearly cycle of Torah reading beginning on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year. It opens as G-d commands the Israelites to observe the Sabbath, and refrain from labor and the kindling of fire. Moses asks for material donations for the building of the Tabernacle, which the people donate. Betzalel and Oholiav are designated by G-d to lead the artisans in building the articles sacred to the Tabernacle.
Artists and craftsmen work on the sacred objects associated with the Tabernacle.
Pekudei
Parashat Pekudei “Accountings Of” פָּרָשַׁת פְקוּדֵי Exodus 38:21-40:38, is the last Torah portion in Exodus, the 2nd Book of the five Books of the Bible, and the 23rd weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading which begins on Rosh Ha Shana, the Jewish New Year.
Parashat Pekudei describes the making of priestly garments worn in the Tabernacle and the completion of its construction. At God’s command, Moses erects its walls, pillars, connective pieces, tapestry coverings and curtains. He then puts its vessels in place, the menorah, ark, showbread table, altars, and washstand. The Tabernacle is then anointed and sanctified with oil, as are Aaron and his sons in their new priestly garments. Moses lights the menorah, arranges the showbread, burns incense, and makes a burnt offering and a meal offering. When all is done, the Tabernacle is filled with G-d's presence.
Israelcraft 
