Parasha for the Week: Nasso Numbers 4:21-7:89
Haftarah for the Week: Judges 13:2 – 13:25
Apostolic Writings: 2 Corinthians 13:14 – Ephesians 1:2 – 3
Overview:
The Torah assigns the exact Mishkan-related tasks to be performed by the families of Gershon, Kehat, and Merari, the sons of Levi.
A census reveals that over 8,000 men are ready for such service. All those ritually impure are to be sent out of the encampments.
Parasha for the Week: Bemidbar: Numbers 1:1 – 4:20
Haftarah: Hosea 2:1 – 22
Besorat Yeshua: Mark 3:31 – 4:9
Overview:
The Book of Bemidbar — "In the desert" — begins with G-d commanding Moshe to take a census of all men over age twenty — old enough for service.
The count reveals just over 600,000. The levi'im are counted separately later because their service will be unique. They will be responsible for transporting the Mishkan (sanctuary) and its furnishings and assembling them when the nation encamps.
The 12 Tribes of Israel, each with its banner, are arranged around the Mishkan.
Since Levi is singled out, the tribe of Yosef is split into two tribes, Ephraim and Menashe.
When the nation travels, they march in a formation similar to the way they camp.
Parasha for the Week: Behar-Bechukotai Leviticus 25:1 – 27:34
Haftarah for the Week: Jeremiah 32:6 - 27
Apostolic Writings: Matthew 24:1 - 3
Parasha for the Week: Emor: Leviticus 21:1 – 24:22
Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15 - 31
Apostolic Writings: Revelation 1:4 - 6
Overview
The Kohanim (priests) are commanded to avoid contact with corpses in order to maintain a high standard of ritual purity. They may attend the funeral of only their seven closest relatives: father, mother, wife, son, daughter, brother, and unmarried sister. The Kohen gadol (High Priest) may not attend the funeral of even his closest relatives.
Parasha for the Week: Acharei Mot: Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30
Parasha for the Week: Kedoshim: Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27
Haftarah for the Week: Ezekiel 22:1 – 22:19; Amos 9:7 - 15
Besorat Yeshua: Mark 2:1 - 17
Overview : Acharei mot
G-d instructs the kohanim to exercise extreme care when they enter the Mishkan. On Yom Kippur, the kohen gadol is to approach the holiest part of the Mishkan after special preparations and wearing special clothing.
Parasha for the Week: Tazriah-Metzora: Leviticus 12:1 - 14:33
Haftarah for the Week: 2 Kings 4:42 – 5:19
Apostolic Writings: Acts 15:19 – 21
Tazriah
The Torah commands a woman to bring a korban after the birth of a child.
A son is to be circumcised on the eighth day of his life.
Parasha for the Week: Shmini: Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47
Haftarah for the Week: 2 Samuel 6:1 – 7:17
Besorat Yeshua: Romans 12:16 - 21
Overview
On the eighth day of the dedication of the Mishkan, Aharon, his sons, and the entire nation bring various korbanot (offerings). Aharon and Moshe bless the nation.
G-d allows the Jewish people to sense His Presence after they complete the Mishkan.
Parasha for the Week: Chol Hamoed Pesach
Overview
We interrupt the reading of the parashot (plural of parasha) during the Shabbat of the feasts. These Shabbatot (plural of Shabbat) called Chol Hamoed are dedicated to reading texts related to the feasts. The first night is celebrated with a special meal called the Seder which means “order” in Hebrew because everything is done according to a specific order to remember the Exodus and all the miracles G-d performed for Israel in Egypt.
