Vaera (And I Appeared) – Exodus 6:2 – 9:35
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Shabbat Shalom
Shemot (Names) – Exodus 1:1 – 6:1
This week we begin the Book of Exodus. The first portion is one of transformation – the children of Israel, the family of Jacob, become the "Hebrews" and the Children of Israel, with a national focus.
Vayechi (And He [Jacob] Lived) – Genesis 47:28 – 50:26
This week we read the final chapters of Genesis. Jacob is approaching the end of his life. We are told that he lived until the age of 147 and that he spent the last 17 years of his life in Egypt. Just before his death, he blesses his grandchildren, Ephraim and Menashe, and then blesses each of his sons.
VaYigash (And He (Judah) Approached) – Genesis 44:18 – 47:27
This week's portion begins with the most dramatic speech in the Bible -- Judah's plea to Joseph to save his brother Benjamin. "And Joseph could not restrain himself before all that stood by him . . . And he wept aloud . . . And Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph, is my father still alive?'" (Genesis 45:1-3).
Miketz (The End) – Genesis 41:1 – 44:17
In this week's Torah portion, we continue the story of Joseph in Egypt. The portion begins with Joseph's rise to power, thanks to his interpretation of Pharaoh's dream. He is given full responsibility for feeding the nation and, indeed surrounding nations, during the upcoming famine.
Vayeshev (And He (Jacob) Settled) – Genesis 37:1 – 40:23
This week's portion begins the story of Joseph, beginning with Genesis chapter 37. We learn that Jacob favors Joseph and buys him a striped coat, which results in the brothers' terrible jealousy of him.
Vayishlach (And He (Jacob) Sent) – Genesis 32:4 – 36:43
This week's Torah portion begins with Jacob's preparation for his confrontation with Esau. He has just returned from years in the home of his uncle Laban, he has four wives and 12 children, a great deal of sheep and other animals, but he remains concerned as to whether Esau is still intent on killing him.
Vayetzei (And He (Jacob) Left) – Genesis 28:10 – 32:3
This week's Torah portion is dedicated to the sojourn of Jacob in the house of Laban. It begins with his departure from Beersheva (Genesis 28:10) and ends with his entrance into the Land of Israel at Machanayim (Genesis 32:3).
Toldot (Descendants) – Genesis 25:19 – 28:9
With this week's Torah reading, we move on to the life of Isaac, the second patriarch of the Jewish people. The portion begins in Chapter 25 verse 19 and continues through Chapter 28 verse 9. Indeed, it is the only Torah reading that deals with Isaac as an independent adult.
Chayei Sara (The Life of Sarah) Genesis 23:1 – 25:18
This week's Torah reading opens with the death of Sarah, the wife of Abraham, in Hebron (Genesis 23). Abraham mourns his wife and then immediately goes about the business of burying her.