Advertise on podcast: Return To The Forgotten Path

The second reading from the book of Numbers and the thirty-fifth reading from the Torah is called Nasso, a word that literally means "lift up." It comes from the first word of the second verse in Hebrew, which could literally be translated to say, "Lift up the heads of the sons of Gershon," an idiomatic way of saying, "Make an accounting of the sons of Gershon." This Torah portion finishes up the census of the Levites that was under way at the end of the last Torah portion, before going on to discuss the purification of the camp, the ritual for a woman suspected of adultery, the laws of the Nazirite vow, the priestly benediction and the gifts the heads of the twelve tribes brought for the dedication of the altar. Portion Outline TORAH Numbers 4:21 | The Gershonites and Merarites Numbers 4:34 | Census of the Levites Numbers 5:1 | Unclean Persons Numbers 5:5 | Confession and Restitution Numbers 5:11 | Concerning an Unfaithful Wife Numbers 6:1 | The Nazirites Numbers 6:22 | The Priestly Benediction Numbers 7:1 | Offerings of the Leaders PROPHETS Jdg 13:1 | The Birth of Samson

The Hebrew name of the fourth book of the Torah (also the name of the first reading) is Bamidbar, which means "In the wilderness." It comes from the first words of the first verse, which say, "Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai" (Numbers 1:1). The English title of the book is "Numbers," which is derived from the Greek Septuagint (LXX) version of the Torah. The book of Numbers tells the story of Israel's trek through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land, their failure at the edge of the land and the subsequent forty years of wandering. It concludes with the story of the second generation's triumphs over the first Canaanite resistance. The book ends with the Israelites poised on the edge of Canaan, ready to take their inheritance. Woven in the midst of these narratives is a significant amount of legal material. The first reading from Bamidbar and the thirty-fourth reading from the Torah begin with a census of the tribes of Israel and the Levitical families just prior to the departure from Sinai. Portion Outline TORAH Numbers 1:1 | The First Census of Israel Numbers 2:1 | The Order of Encampment and Marching Numbers 3:1 | The Sons of Aaron Numbers 3:5 | The Duties of the Levites Numbers 3:14 | A Census of the Levites Numbers 3:40 | The Redemption of the Firstborn Numbers 4:1 | The Kohathites PROPHETS Hos 2:2 | Israel's Infidelity, Punishment, and Redemption

Reading TORAH: Leviticus 25:1-27:34    HAFTARAH: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14    GOSPEL: Luke 4:14-22; Matthew 16:20-28 Portion Summary Bechukotai The last reading from the book of Leviticus is called Bechukotai,  which means "In My Statutes." The name comes from the first verse of  the reading, which begins with the words "If you walk in My statutes  ..." (Leviticus 26:3). This last reading from Leviticus promises  blessings and rewards for Israel if they will keep the Torah, but  punishment and curses if they break the commandments of the Torah. The  last chapter discusses laws pertaining to vows, valuations and tithes.  In most years, synagogues read Bechukotai together with the preceding portion, Behar.

The thirty-second reading from the Torah and second-to-last reading from the book of Leviticus is called Behar, which means "On the Mountain." The name comes from the first words of the first verse of the reading, which could be literally translated to read, "The LORD then spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai" (Leviticus 25:1). This portion from the Torah introduces the laws of the sabbatical years, the jubilee and laws concerning redemption. In most years, synagogues read Behar together with the following portion, Bechukotai.

The thirty-first reading from the Torah is called Emor, a title that comes from the first verse of the reading, which says, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Speak (emor) to the priests, the sons of Aaron ...'" (Leviticus 21:1). Emor begins with special laws of sanctity, propriety and purity for the priesthood. Leviticus 23 provides an overview of the biblical calendar, a listing of the LORD's appointed times. Portion Outline TORAH Leviticus 21:1 | The Holiness of Priests Leviticus 22:1 | The Use of Holy Offerings Leviticus 22:17 | Acceptable Offerings Leviticus 23:1 | Appointed Festivals Leviticus 23:3 | The Sabbath, Passover, and Unleavened Bread Leviticus 23:9 | The Offering of First Fruits Leviticus 23:15 | The Festival of Weeks Leviticus 23:23 | The Festival of Trumpets Leviticus 23:26 | The Day of Atonement Leviticus 23:33 | The Festival of Booths Leviticus 24:1 | The Lamp Leviticus 24:5 | The Bread for the Tabernacle Leviticus 24:10 | Blasphemy and Its Punishment PROPHETS Eze 44:15 | The Levitical Priests

Portion Summary The thirtieth reading from the Torah and seventh reading from Leviticus is named Kedoshim, which mean "holy." The title comes from the words in Leviticus 19:2, which says, "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." Leviticus 19 describes the holy community through a series of specific commandments. Leviticus 20 warns against the snares of sexual immorality and idolatry, mandating a death penalty for certain sins. Except in biblical leap years, Kedoshim is read on the same Sabbath as the previous reading, Acharei Mot. Portion Outline TORAH Leviticus 19:1 | Ritual and Moral Holiness Leviticus 20:1 | Penalties for Violations of Holiness PROPHETS Amo 9:1 | The Destruction of Israel Amo 9:11 | The Restoration of David's Kingdom

TORAH: LEVITICUS 16:1-18:30HAFTARAH: EZEKIEL 22:1-19GOSPEL: MATTHEW 15:10-20; MARK 12:28-34 The above audio readings are for the regular weekly Torah portions, but are often interrupted with special readings on Jewish holidays, special Sabbaths, and Rosh Chodesh. We only provide the regular audio readings when these interruptions occur. Refer to the current Torah Portion Schedule or the curent year's readings for variations. Portion Summary The twenty-ninth reading from the Torah and sixth reading from Leviticus is named Acharei Mot, two words that mean "after the death." The title comes from the first words of the first verse of the reading, which say, "Now the LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron" (Leviticus 16:1). Leviticus 16 describes the Tabernacle ceremony for the holy festival of the Day of Atonement. Leviticus 17 establishes general rules for sacrifice and sanctuary. Leviticus 18 lays down specific laws about permitted and forbidden sexual relationships. Portion Outline TORAH Leviticus 16:1 | The Day of Atonement Leviticus 17:1 | The Slaughtering of Animals Leviticus 17:10 | Eating Blood Prohibited Leviticus 18:1 | Sexual Relations PROPHETS Eze 22:1 | The Bloody City Taken from: Acharei Mot | Portions Listings - Reading and Audio | Torah Portions (ffoz.org)

Portion Summary The twenty-eighth reading from the Torah is Metzora, a word that means "leper." The word appears in the second verse of the reading, which says, "This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing" (Leviticus 14:2). Leviticus 14 spells out the complex purification rituals for the cleansing of a leper and a leprous home. Leviticus 15 briefly covers the laws regarding ritual unfitness stemming from bodily emissions. Except in biblical calendar leap years, Metzora is read together with the previous Torah portion, Tazria, on the same Sabbath. Portion Outline TORAH Leviticus 14:1 | Purification of Lepers and Leprous Houses Leviticus 15:1 | Concerning Bodily Discharges PROPHETS 2Ki 7:3 | The Arameans Flee “Adir hu, yivneh beyto be’karov — bim’hera, bim’hera, be’yameynu be’karov. El b’ney, el b’ney, b’ney betkha be’karov,” which is to say: “Strong [Adir] is He, He will build His Temple soon — swiftly, swiftly, in days soon to come. Lord, build, Lord, build, build Your Temple soon.”

Portion Summary The name of the twenty-seventh reading from the Torah is Tazria, which means "she conceived." The name is derived from the words of Leviticus 12:2, where the LORD says to Moses, "When a woman [conceives] and bears a male child." Leviticus 12 discusses the laws of purification after childbirth. Leviticus 13 introduces the laws for diagnosing and quarantining lepers. Except in biblical calendar leap years, Tazria is read together with the subsequent Torah portion, Metzora, on the same Sabbath. Portion Outline TORAH Leviticus 12:1 | Purification of Women after Childbirth Leviticus 13:1 | Leprosy, Varieties and Symptoms PROPHETS 2Ki 4:42 | Elisha Feeds One Hundred Men 2Ki 5:1 | The Healing of Naaman

Shemini is the twenty-sixth reading from the Torah and third reading from the book of Leviticus. The word shemini means "eighth," and it comes from the first words of Exodus 9:1, which says, "Now it came about on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel" (Leviticus 9:1). The text goes on to describe the events of the eight day after setting up the Tabernacle, a phenomenal worship service followed by a tragic incident. The reading concludes with the biblical dietary laws regarding animals fit for consumption and prohibitions regarding those that are unfit. Portion Outline TORAH Leviticus 9:1 | Aaron's Priesthood Inaugurated Leviticus 10:1 | Nadab and Abihu Leviticus 11:1 | Clean and Unclean Foods Leviticus 11:24 | Unclean Animals PROPHETS 2 Samuel 6:1 | David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem 2 Samuel 7:1 | God's Covenant with David

Portion Summary The twenty-fifth reading from the Torah and second reading from the book of Leviticus is called Tzav, which means "Command." The name comes from the first word of Leviticus 6:9, where the LORD says to Moses, "Command Aaron and his sons ..." Tzav reiterates the five types of sacrifices introduced in the previous portion but this time discusses the priestly regulations pertaining to them. The last chapter of the reading describes the seven-day ordination of Aaron and his sons as they prepared to enter the holy priesthood. Portion Outline TORAH Leviticus 6:8 | Instructions concerning Sacrifices Leviticus 7:11 | Further Instructions Leviticus 8:1 | The Rites of Ordination PROPHETS Jer 7:16 | The People's Disobedience Also read this week due to Purim * book of Esther

The title "Leviticus" is derived from the Greek Septuagint (LXX) version of the Torah. The book of Leviticus is predominantly concerned with Levitical rituals. An older Hebrew name for the book was "The Laws of the Priesthood," but in Judaism today, it is referred to by the name Vayikra, which means "And He called." Vayikra is the first Hebrew word of the book, which begins by saying, "And the LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from inside the tent of meeting" (Leviticus 1:1). Leviticus describes the sacrificial service and the duties of the priests. It also introduces ritual purity, the biblical diet, the calendar of appointed times, laws of holiness and laws relating to redemption, vows and tithes. In addition, Leviticus discourses on ethical instruction and holiness. The twenty-fourth reading from the Torah is eponymous with the Hebrew name of the book it introduces: Vayikra. This portion introduces the sacrificial service and describes five different types of sacrifices. Portion Outline TORAH Leviticus 1:1 | The Burnt Offering Leviticus 2:1 | Grain Offerings Leviticus 3:1 | Offerings of Well-Being Leviticus 4:1 | Sin Offerings Leviticus 5:14 | Offerings with Restitution PROPHETS Isaiah 43:1 | Restoration and Protection Promised Isaiah 44:1 | God's Blessing on Israel Isaiah 44:9 | The Absurdity of Idol Worship Isaiah 44:21 | Israel Is Not Forgotten