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Parashah
Parashah
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A page from the Aleppo Codex, Deuteronomy 32:50–33:29. Parashah breaks visible on this page are as follows: {P} 33:1–6 (right column blank line 8th from top) {S} 33:7 (right column indentation line 23) {P} 33:8–11 (right column blank line 2nd from bottom) {S} 33:12 (middle column 1st indentation) {S} 33:13–17 (middle column 2nd indentation) {S} 33:18–19 (left column indentation at top) {S} 33:20–21 (left column space in middle of 6th line) {S} 33:22 (left column 13th line indentation) {S} 33:24–39 (left column 17th line indentation).

The term parashah, parasha or parashat (Hebrew: פָּרָשָׁה Pārāšâ, "portion", Tiberian /pɔrɔˈʃɔ/, Sephardi /paraˈʃa/, plural: parashot or parashiyot, also called parsha) formally means a section of a biblical book in the Masoretic Text of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible). In common usage today the word often refers to the weekly Torah portion (a shortened form of Parashat HaShavua). This article deals with the first, formal meaning of the word. In the Masoretic Text, parashah sections are designated by various types of spacing between them, as found in Torah scrolls, scrolls of the books of Nevi'im or Ketuvim (especially the Megillot), masoretic codices from the Middle Ages and printed editions of the Masoretic Text.

The division of the text into parashot for the biblical books is independent of chapter and verse numbers, which are not part of the masoretic tradition. Parashot are not numbered, but some have special names.

The division of parashot found in the modern-day Torah scrolls of all Jewish communities is based upon the systematic list provided by Maimonides in Mishneh Torah, Laws of Tefillin, Mezuzah and Torah Scrolls, chapter 8. Maimonides based his division of the parashot for the Torah on the Aleppo Codex.[1] The division of parashot for the books of Nevi'im and Ketuvim was never completely standardized in printed Hebrew bibles and handwritten scrolls, though important attempts were made to document it and create fixed rules.

Incorrect division of the text into parashot, either by indicating a parashah in the wrong place or by using the wrong spacing technique, halakhically invalidates a Torah scroll according to Maimonides.[2]

Purpose

[edit]

A parashah break creates a textual pause, roughly analogous to a modern paragraph break.[3] Such a pause usually has one of the following purposes:

  1. In most cases, a new parashah begins where a new topic or a new thought is clearly indicated in the biblical text.
  2. In many places, however, the parashah divisions are used even in places where it is clear that no new topic begins, in order to highlight a special verse by creating a textual pause before it or after it (or both).
  3. A special example of #2 is for lists: The individual elements in many biblical lists are separated by parashah spacing of one type or another.[4]

To decide exactly where a new topic or thought begins within a biblical text involves a degree of subjectivity on the part of the reader. This subjective element may help explain differences amongst the various masoretic codices in some details of the section divisions (though their degree of conformity is high). It may also explain why certain verses which might seem like introductions to a new topic lack a section division, or why such divisions sometimes appear in places where no new topic seems indicated. For this reason, the parashah divisions may at times contribute to biblical exegesis.[5]

History

[edit]

Parashot appear in manuscripts as early as the Dead Sea Scrolls, in which the division is generally similar to that found in the masoretic text.[6] The idea of spacing between portions, including the idea of "open" and "closed" portions, is mentioned in early midrashic literature[7] and the Talmud. Early masoretic lists detailing the Babylonian tradition include systematic and detailed discussion of exactly where portions begin and which type they are.

As a group, Tiberian Masoretic codices share similar but not identical parashah divisions throughout the Bible. Unlike the Babylonian mesorah, however, Tiberian masoretic notes never mention the parashah divisions or attempt to systematize them. This is related to the fact that the Babylonian lists are independent compositions, while the Tiberian notes are in the margins of the biblical text itself, which shows the parashot in a highly visible way.

In the centuries following the Tiberian Masoretic Text, there were ever-increasing efforts to document and standardize the details of the parashah divisions, especially for the Torah, and even for Nevi'im and Ketuvim as time went on.

Spacing techniques

[edit]
Illustration of a closed section followed by an open section in a modern Torah scroll (closed at Numbers 10:35 and open at 11:1). Note the rare occurrence of "inverted Nun" at these two points.

In most modern Torah scrolls and Jewish editions of the Bible, there are two types of parashot, an "open portion" (parashah petuhah) and a "closed portion" (parashah setumah). An "open portion" is roughly similar to a modern paragraph: The text of the previous portion ends before the end of the column (leaving a space at the end of the line), and the new "open" portion starts at the beginning of the next line (but with no indentation). A "closed portion", on the other hand, leaves a space in the middle of the line of text, where the previous portion ends before the space, and the next portion starts after it, towards the end of the line of text.

In some manuscripts and in many printed editions, an "open portion" (petuhah) is abbreviated with the Hebrew letter "פ" (peh), and a "closed portion" (setumah) with the Hebrew letter "ס" (samekh), often in place of the visual gap in the line.[8] Rough English equivalents are "P" and "S" respectively.[9]

In masoretic codices and in medieval scrolls, these two spacing techniques allowed for a larger range of options:

  • An "open portion" always started at the beginning of a new line. This could happen the way described above, but also by leaving a blank line between the two portions, thus allowing the previous portion to sometimes entirely fill its last line of text.
  • A "closed portion" never began at the beginning of a line. This could happen as in modern scrolls (a space in the middle of a line), but also by the previous portion ending before the end of the line, and the new portion beginning on the next line after an indentation.

Open portions often seem to reflect the beginning of a new topic or a major subdivision within a biblical book, while closed portions seem to reflect smaller units or minor subdivisions.[10]

Most printed Hebrew bibles today represent the parashot using the more limited techniques found in typical modern Torah scrolls: A space in the middle of a line for a closed portion, and beginning at the start of the next line for an open portion (not a blank line). A notable exception is The Jerusalem Crown (The Bible of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 2000), whose typography and layout is fashioned after the Aleppo Codex, and follows the medieval spacing techniques for parashah divisions by leaving an empty line for {P} and starts {S} on a new line with an indentation.[11]

Medieval Ashkenazic sources beginning with the Mahzor Vitry also refer to a third spacing technique called a parashah sedurah. This involved starting a new parashah at the same point in the line where the previous parashah ended on the line above.

Halakhic significance

[edit]

Validity of scrolls

[edit]

According to the ruling of Maimonides, any error regarding a parashah completely invalidates a Torah scroll. This includes a parashah in the wrong place, of the wrong type, or a missing parashah.[12]

However, there is also a responsum by Maimonides [13] in which he ruled that one may recite a blessing over reading from an invalid scroll, based on the reasoning that the commandment is in the reading itself, not in the text being read from.

Maimonides' strict ruling that any error in the parashot completely invalidates a Torah scroll led to a major halakhic debate that continues to this day.[14] Among those who ruled against Maimonides' stricture in practice were his son, Abraham Maimonides,[15] Menachem Meiri,[16] Moshe Chalava,[17] Judah Minz,[18] and Ovadia Yosef.[19]

All of the above authorities rule that a scroll containing parashot based on alternative scribal traditions that disagree with Maimonides' list of parashot[20] is nevertheless a valid scroll. However, even according to the lenient opinion, a blatant error with no source in any scribal tradition invalidates a Torah scroll.[citation needed]

Rules and customs for public reading

[edit]

One basic halakhic rule for public reading of the Torah is that no fewer than three verses at a time be read. As a corollary to this, there is a specific rule regarding parashot: One may not leave off reading less than three verses before the end of a parashah, nor may one end off reading by starting a new parashah but leaving off less than three verses from its beginning.[21]

When a Torah portion is read in public from a scroll as part of the synagogue service, it is divided into smaller sections among several people (for instance, 3 short sections on weekdays or 7 on the Sabbath). The points at which the portion is subdivided often take the parashot into account, but there is no hard and fast rule for this.

The selections from Nevi'im that are read as haftarot are based on custom. At times, some of these customs choose the exact beginning or end of a haftarah because it coincides with a parashah division.

Torah

[edit]

Due to the influence of Maimonides, parashah divisions in the Torah have become highly standardized, and there is close to exact agreement among Torah scrolls, printed Jewish bibles, and similar online texts.[22] The following list thus presents the parashah divisions as found in (a) modern Torah scrolls, (b) Maimonides' Mishneh Torah, and (c) the Aleppo Codex (based on several witnesses besides Maimonides to the parashot in its missing parts). Rare inconsistencies between these three sources are explained in footnotes.

The list is constructed as follows:

  • Only breaks between two sections are listed: Any open or closed parashah break, {P} or {S}, must always appear between two biblical sections. The symbols {P} and {S} always indicate the status of the following section. In Genesis, for instance, "{S} 5:32–6:4 {P}" indicates a closed section (setumah) because it begins with {S}. Therefore, no section break is indicated before the first portion of a biblical book, or after its last portion.
  • The five books of the Torah have been broken down into their weekly Torah readings for convenience. The weekly Torah readings always begin at a parashah break, with the single exception of Vayechi (Genesis 47:28). The division into weekly readings is a prominent feature of the Tiberian masoretic codices along with the division into smaller parashot, and they are indicated with a special flourish in the margin parallel to the line in which each one begins.
  • Special series of parashot used for special types of text (such as chronologies, lists, step-by-step sequences, repeating formulas) are indicated.
  • When a parashah ignores a chapter break, this is indicated for convenience by spelling out the exact verses from each chapter found in that parashah; for instance: {P} 32:4–33; 33:1–17 {S}. This system allows for immediate calculation of the number verses in the parashah, and also facilitates easier comparison between the parashot and the chapter divisions.
  • Variations found in alternative masoretic traditions (such as in the Leningrad Codex) are provided separately at the end of each book.
  • Unusual data (such as an unusually lengthy parashah) is underlined to draw special attention, followed by a parenthetical note identifying the contents of the parashah at hand.
  • The first words of a parashah are sometimes provided in Hebrew for clarity, especially for parashot that appear within a verse. A prominent example is for the Ten Commandments. The titles of prominent parashot mentioned in rabbinic literature are also sometimes given.
  • The verse numbering in this list is according to the system commonly found in most Hebrew editions. The numbers in translations (and even in some Hebrew editions such as BHS) may differ slightly.

Symbols:

  • {P} = parashah petuhah ("open portion"), typically resembles a new paragraph
  • {S} = parashah setumah ("closed portion"), typically represented as a blank space in the middle of a line
  • {-} = no parashah break indicated
  • {SONG} = Special format for songs; details of the special layout will be described in separate sections.

Genesis

[edit]
A page of the Aleppo Codex was photographed in 1887 by William Wickes, containing Genesis 26:35 (החתי) to 27:30 (ויהי אך). It shows a single closed parashah break {S} at 27:1 (ויהי כי זקן יצחק); that parashah is in bold within the list below for Parashat Toledot.
  • Parashat Bereshit (Genesis 1:1–6:8):
    • Seven days:1:1–5 {P} 1:6–8 {P} 1:9–13 {P} 1:14–19 {P} 1:20–23 {P} 1:24–31 {P} 2:1–3
    • {P} 2:4–2:25; 3:1–3:15 {S} 3:16 {S} 3:17–21 {P} 3:22–24 {S} 4:1–26
    • From Adam to Noah: {S} 5:1–5 {S} 5:6–8 {S} 5:9–11 {S} 5:12–14 {S} 5:15–17 {S} 5:18–20 {S} 5:21–24 {S} 5:25–27 {S} 5:28–31 {S} 5:32; 6:1–4
    • {P} 6:5–8
  • Parashat Noach (Genesis 6:9–11:32):
    • {P} 6:9–12 {S} 6:13–22; 7:1–24; 8:1–14 {S} 8:15–22; 9:1–7 {S} 9:8–17 {P} 9:18–29 {P} 10:1–14 {S} 10:15–20 {S} 10:21–32 {P} 11:1–9
    • From Noah to Abraham: {P} 11:10–11 {S} 11:12–13 {S} 11:14–15 {S} 11:16–17 {S} 11:18–19 {S} 11:20–21 {S} 11:22–23 {S} 11:24–25 {S} 11:26–32
  • Parashat Lekh Lekha (Genesis 12:1–17:27):
    • {P} 12:1–9 {P} 12:10–20;13:1–18 {P} 14:1–24 {S} 15:1–21 {S} 16:1–16 {S} 17:1–14 {S} 17:15–27
  • Parashat Vayera (Genesis 18:1–22:24):
    • {P} 18:1–33; 19:1–38 {S} 20:1–18 {S} 21:1–21 {P} 21:22–34 {P} 22:1–19 {P} 22:20–24
  • Parashat Chayyei Sarah (Genesis 23:1–25:18):
    • {P} 23:1–20 {S} 24:1–67 (Eliezer & Rebeccah) {P} 25:1–11 {P} 25:12–18
  • Parashat Toledot (Genesis 25:19–28:9):
    • {P} 25:19–34 {P} 26:1–33 {S} 26:34–35 {S} 27:1–46; 28:1–9 (blessings of Isaac & Jacob; see image)
  • Parashat Vayetzei (Genesis 28:10–32:3):
    • {S} 28:10–22; 29:1–35; 30:1–43; 31:1–55; 32:1–3 (Jacob in Haran)
  • Parashat Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4–36:43):
    • {P} 32:4–33; 33:1–17 {S} 33:18–20 {S} 34:1–31 {P} 35:1–8 {P} 35:9–22a {P} 35:22b–29 {P} 36:1–19 {S} 36:20–30 {P} 36:31-43
  • Parashat Vayeshev (Genesis 37–40):
    • {P} 37:1–36 {P} 38:1–30 {S} 39:1–23 {P} 40:1–23
  • Parashat Miketz (Genesis 41:1–44:17):
    • {P} 41:1–57; 42:1–38; 43:1–34; 44:1–17 (Joseph in Egypt)
  • Parashat Vayigash (Genesis 44:18–47:27) and Parashat Vayechi (Genesis 47:28–50:26):[23]
    • {S} 44:18–34; 45:1–28; 46:1–7 (Reconciliation) {S} 46:8–27 {S} 46:28–34; 47:1–31[23] {P} 48:1–22
    • Jacob's blessings: {P} 49:1–4 {P} 49:5–7 {P} 49:8–12 {P} 49:13 {P} 49:14–15 {S} 49:16–18 {S} 49:19 {S} 49:20 {S} 49:21 {S} 49:22–26 {P} 49:27–33; 50:1–26

Total: Petuchot (Open): 43, Setumot (Closed): 48, Combined: 91.

Variants:

  • Leningrad Codex: {P} 5:1 {S} 5:3 {P} 5:21 {P} 5:25 {P} 5:28 {S} 7:1 {S} 12:1 {S} 23:1 {S} 25:12 {S} 26:1 {S} 40:1 {P} 46:28 {S} 49:8 {S} 49:14 {-} 49:19

Exodus

[edit]
  • Parashat Shemot (Exodus 1:1–6:1):
    • 1:1–7 {P} 1:8–22 {P} 2:1–22 {P} 2:23–25 {S} 3:1–22; 4:1–17 {P} 4:18–26 {P} 4:27–31; 5:1–23; 6:1
  • Parashat Va'era (Exodus 6:2–9:35):
    • {S} 6:2–9 {P} 6:10–12 {P} 6:13 {S} 6:14–28 {S} 6:29–30 {P} 7:1–7 {P} 7:8–13 {S} 7:14–18 {S} 7:19–25 {P} 7:26–29;8:1–11 {S} 8:12–15 {S} 8:16–28 {P} 9:1–7 {P} 9:8–12 {S} 9:13–21 {P} 9:22–35
  • Parashat Bo (Exodus 10:1–13:16):
    • {P} 10:1–11 {S} 10:12–20 {P} 10:21–29 {P} 11:1–3 {S} 11:4–8 {S} 11:9–10 {S} 12:1–20 {P} 12:21–28 {S} 12:29–36 {P} 12:37–42 {P} 12:43–50 {S} 12:51 {P} 13:1–10 {P} 13:11–16
  • Parashat Beshallach (Exodus 13:17–17:16):
    • {S} 13:17–22 {P} 14:1–14 {P} 14:15–25 {P} 14:26–31
    • {P} Song of the Sea: {SONG} 15:1–19 {SONG}
    • {P} 15:20–26 {S} 15:27;16:1–3 {S} 16:4–10 {P} 16:11–27 {S} 16:28–36 {P} 17:1–7 {P} 17:8–13 {P} 17:14–16
  • Parashat Yitro (Exodus 18:1–20:23):
    • {P} 18:1–27 {P} 19:1–24
    • Ten Commandments: {S} 20:1 וידבר {S} 20:2–5 אנכי {S} 20:6 לא תשא {P} 20:7–10 זכור {S} 20:11 כבד {S} 20:12a לא תרצח {S} 20:12b לא תנאף {S} 20:12c לא תגנב {S} 20:12d לא תענה {S} 20:13a לא תחמד בית רעך {S} 20:13b[24] לא תחמד אשת רעך
    • {P} 20:14–17 {S} 20:18–22
  • Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1–24:18):
    • Laws: {P} 21:1–6 {S} 21:7–11 {S} 21:12–13 {S} 21:14 {S} 21:15 {S} 21:16 {S} 21:17 {S} 21:18–19 {S} 21:20–21 {S} 21:22–25 {S} 21:26–27 {P} 21:28–32 {S} 21:33–34 {S} 21:35–36 {S} 21:37;22:1–3 {S} 22:4 {S} 22:5 {S} 22:6–8 {S} 22:9–12 {S} 22:13–14 {S} 22:15–16 {S} 22:17–18 {S} 22:19–23 {P} 22:24–26 {S} 22:27–30 {S} 23:1–3 {S} 23:4 {S} 23:5 {S} 23:6–19
    • {P} 23:20–25 {S} 23:26–33 {P} 24:1–11 {S} 24:12–18
  • Parashat Terumah (Exodus 25:1–27:19):
    • {P} 25:1–9 {S} 25;10–22 {P} 25:23–30 {P} 25:31–40 {S} 26:1–14 {P} 26:15–30 {S} 26:31–37 {S} 27:1–8 {S} 27:9–19
  • Parashat Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20–30:10):
    • {S} 27:20–21 {S} 28:1–5 {P} 28:6–12 {S} 28:13–14 {S} 28:15–30 {S} 28:31–35 {S} 28:36–43 {S} 29:1–37 {S} 29:38–46 {P} 30:1–10
  • Parashat Ki Tissa (Exodus 30:11–34:35):
    • {P} 30:11–16 {P} 30:17–21 {P} 30:22–33 {S} 30:34–38 {S} 31:1–11 {P} 31:12–17 {S} 31:18;32:1–6 {P} 32:7–14 {P} 32:15–35 {S} 33:1–11 {P} 33:12–16 {P} 33:17–23 {S/P}[25] 34:1–26 {P} 34:27–35
  • Parashat Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1–38:20):
    • {S} 35:1–3 {P} 35:4–29 {P} 35:30–35; 36:1–7 {S} 36:8–13 {P} 36:14–19 {S} 36:20–38 {P} 37:1–9 {P} 37:10–16 {P} 37:17–24 {P} 37:25–29 {S} 38:1–7 {S} 38:8 {S} 38:9–20
  • Parashat Pekudei (Exodus 38:21–40:38):
    • {S} 38:21–23 {S} 38:24–31; 39:1 {P} 39:2–5 {S} 39:6–7 {P} 39:8–21 {P} 39:22–26 {S} 39:27–29 {S} 39:30–31 {S} 39:32 {P} 39:33–43 {P} 40:1–16 {S} 40:17–19 {S} 40:20–21 {S} 40:22–23 {S} 40:24–25 {S} 40:26–27 {S} 40:28–29 {S} 40:30–32 {S} 40:33 {P} 40:34–38

Variants:

  • Leningrad Codex: {S} 2:1 {P} 6:29 {P} 7:14 {P} 10:12 {P} 12:1 {S} 13:11 {S} 16:6 {P} 20:18 {-} 21:16 {S} 21:27 {S} 22:18 {S} 23:2 {S} 23:20 {-} 23:26 {P} 26:7 {S} 33:12 {S} 34:1[25] {S} 36:14 {P} 38:1 {-} 39:6 {-} 39:22 {P} 40:28

Leviticus

[edit]
  • Parashat Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1–5:26):
    • 1:1–9 {S} 1:10–13 {P} 1:14–17 {S} 2:1–3 {S} 2:4 {S} 2:5–6 {S} 2:7–13 {S} 2:14–16 {P} 3:1–5 {P} 3:6–11 {P} 3:12–17 {P} 4:1–12 {P} 4:13–21 {P} 4:22–26 {P} 4:27–31 {P} 4:32–35 {P} 5:1–10 {S} 5:11–13 {S} 5:14–16 {P} 5:17–19 {P} 5:20–26
  • Parashat Tzav (Leviticus 6:1–8:36):
    • {P} 6:1–6 {S} 6:7–11 {P} 6:12–16 {P} 6:17–23 {P} 7:1–10 {P} 7:11–21 {P/-}[26] 7:22–27 {P/-}[26] 7:28–38 {P} 8:1–36
  • Parashat Shemini (Leviticus 9:1–11:47):
    • {S} 9:1–24; 10:1–7 {P} 10:8–11 {P} 10:12–20 {P} 11:1–28 {S} 11:29–38 {S} 11:39–47
  • Parashat Tazria (Leviticus 12:1–13:59):
    • {P} 12:1–8 {P} 13:1–8 {P} 13:9–17 {P} 13:18–23 {S} 13:24–28 {P} 13:29–37 {S} 13:38–39 {S} 13:40–46 {S} 13:47–59
  • Parashat Metzora (Leviticus 14:1–15:33):
    • {P} 14:1–20 {S} 14:21–32 {P} 14:33–57 {P} 15:1–15 {S} 15:16–18 {P} 15:19–24 {S} 15:25–33
  • Parashat Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1–18:30):
    • {P} 16:1–34 {P} 17:1–16 {P} 18:1–5
    • Forbidden relations: {S} 18:6 {S} 18:7 {S} 18:8 {S} 18:9 {S} 18:10 {S} 18:11 {S} 18:12 {S} 18:13 {S} 18:14 {S} 18:15 {S} 18:16 {S} 18:17–30
  • Parashat Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1–20:27):
    • {P} 19:1–22 {P} 19:23–32 {S} 19:33–37 {P} 20:1–27
  • Parashat Emor (Leviticus 21:1–24:23):
    • {P} 21:1–9 {S} 21:10–15 {S} 21:16–24 {P} 22:1–16 {P} 22:17–25 {S} 22:26–33 {P} 23:1–3 {P} 23:4–8 {P} 23:9–14 {S} 23:15–22 {P} 23:23–25 {S} 23:26–32 {P} 23:33–44 {P} 24:1–4 {P} 24:5–9 {S} 24:10–12 {P} 24:13–23
  • Parashat Behar (Leviticus 25:1–26:2):
    • {P} 25:1–7 {S} 25:8–24 {S} 25:25–28 {S} 25:29–34 {S} 25:35–38 {S} 25:39–46 {S} 25:47–26:2
  • Parashat Bechukotai (Leviticus 26:3–27:34):
    • {P} 26:3–13 {P} 26:14–26 {S} 26:27–46 {P} 27:1–8 {S} 27:9–34

Variants:

  • Leningrad Codex: {P}[26] 7:22 {P}[26] 7:28 {S} 11:21 {S} 15:1 {P} 15:17 {-} 15:18 {P} 15:25 {S} 17:13 {P} 19:20 {P} 19:33 {P} 21:16 {S} 22:14 {P} 22:26 {S} 23:23 {-} 25:29 {S} 26:3 {S} 26:18 {S} 27:26

Numbers

[edit]
  • Parashat Bemidbar (Numbers 1:1–4:20):
    • 1:1–19 {S} 1:20–21 {P} 1:22–23 {P} 1:24–25 {P} 1:26–27 {P} 1:28–29 {P} 1:30–31 {P} 1:32–33 {P} 1:34–35 {P} 1:36–37 {P} 1:38–39 {P} 1:40–41 {P} 1:42–43 {P} 1:44–47 {P} 1:48–54 {P} 2:1–9 {S} 2:10–16 {S} 2:17 {S} 2:18–24 {S} 2:25–31 {P} 2:32–34 {P} 3:1–4 {P} 3:5–10 {P} 3:11–13 {P} 3:14–26 {S} 3:27–39 {S} 3:40–43 {P} 3:44–51 {P} 4:1–16 {P} 4:17–20
  • Parashat Naso (Numbers 4:21–7:89):
    • {P} 4:21–28 {S} 4:29–37 {S} 4:38–49 {P} 5:1–4 {P} 5:5–10 {P} 5:11–31 {P} 6:1–21 {P} 6:22–23 {S} 6:24 {S} 6:25 {S} 6:26 {S} 6:27 {S} 7:1–11 {S} 7:12–17 {P} 7:18–23 {P} 7:24–29 {P} 7:30–35 {P} 7:36–41 {P} 7:42–47 {P} 7:48–53 {P} 7:54–59 {P} 7:60–65 {P} 7:66–71 {P} 7:72–77 {P} 7:78–83 {P} 7:84–89
  • Parashat Beha'alotekha (Numbers 8:1–12:16):
    • {P} 8:1–4 {P} 8:5–22 {S} 8:23–26 {P} 9:1–8 {P} 9:9–14 {S} 9:15–23 {P} 10:1–10 {P} 10:11–28 {S} 10:29–34 {S} נ 10:35–36 נ {P} 11:1–15 {P} 11:16–22 {P} 11:23–35 {P} 12:1–3 {S} 12:4–13 {P} 12:14–16
  • Parashat Shelach (Numbers 13:1–15:41):
    • {P} 13:1–33;14:1–10 {P} 14:11–25 {P} 14:26–45 {P} 15:1–16 {P} 15:17–21 {S} 15:22–26 {S} 15:27–31 {P} 15:32–34 {S} 15:35–36 {P} 15:37–41
  • Parashat Korach (Numbers 16:1–18:32):
    • {P} 16:1–19 {S} 16:20–22 {S} 16:23–35 {S} 17:1–5 {P} 17:6–7 {S} 17:8–15 {P} 17:16–24 {P} 17:25–26 {P} 17:27–28 {S} 18:1–7 {P} 18:8–20 {S} 18:21–24 {P} 18:25–32
  • Parashat Chukkat (Numbers 19:1–22:1):
    • {P} 19:1–22 {P} 20:1–6 {P} 20:7–11 {S} 20:12–13 {S} 20:14–21 {P} 20:22–29 {S} 21:1–3 {P} 21:4–16 {S} 21:17–20 {P} 21:21–35;22:1
  • Parashat Balak (Numbers 22:2–25:9):
    • {S} 22:2–41; 23:1–30; 24:1–25 (Balaam & Balak) {P} 25:1–9
  • Parashat Pinchas (Numbers 25:10–30:1):
    • {P} 25:10–15 {P} 25:16–18; 26:1a
    • Census: {P} 26:1b–11 {S} 26:12–14 {S} 26:15–18 {S} 26:19–22 {S} 26:23–25 {S} 26:26–27 {S} 26:28–32 {S} 26:33–34 {S} 26:35–37 {S} 26:38–41 {S} 26:42–43 {S} 26:44–47 {S} 26:48–51
    • {P} 26:52–56 {S} 26:57–65 {S} 27:1–5 {P} 27:6–11 {P} 27:12–14 {S} 27:15–23
    • Offerings: {P} 28:1–8 {P} 28:9–10 {P} 28:11–15 {S} 28:16–25 {S} 28:26–31 {P} 29:1–6 {S} 29:7–11
    • Sukkot offerings: {S} 29:12–16 {S} 29:17–19 {S} 29:20–22 {S} 29:23–25 {S} 29:26–28 {S} 29:29–31 {S} 29:32–34 {S} 29:35–39; 30:1
  • Parashat Mattot (Numbers 30:2–32:42):
    • {P} 30:2–17 {P} 31:1–12 {S} 31:13–20 {S} 31:21–24 {S} 31:25–54 {P} 32:1–4 {S} 32:5–15 {S} 32:16–19 {P} 32:20–42
  • Parashat Masei (Numbers 33:1–36:13):
    • {P} 33:1–39 {S} 33:40–49 {S} 33:50–56 {P} 34:1–15 {P} 34:16–29 {P} 35:1–8 {P} 35:9–34 {P} 36:1–13

Variants:

  • Leningrad Codex: {P} 1:20 {S} 2:7 {-} 3:1 {S} 3:14 {-} 3:27 {S} 4:17 {P} 4:29 {P} 7:1 {P} 9:15 {S} 10:18 {S} 10:22 {S} 10:25 {S} 11:1 {P} 16:20 {P} 16:23 {P} 17:1 {-} 17:6 {P} 17:9 {S} 17:25 {S} 17:27 {S} 18:8 {S} 27:6 {S} 27:12 {P} 27:15 {S} 28:11 {P} 29:12 {P} 29:32 {P} 29:35 {P} 31:25

Deuteronomy

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Two consecutive pages of the Aleppo Codex from the now-missing part of Deuteronomy were photographed in 1910 by Joseph Segall, containing the Ten Commandments. The image shows Deuteronomy 4:38 (גדלים) to 6:3 (ואשר), including the following parashah breaks: {P} 4:41 אז יבדיל {P} 5:1 ויקרא משה {S} 5:6 אנכי {S} 5:10 לא תשא {S} 5:11 שמור {S} 5:15 כבד {S} 5:16a לא תרצח {S} 5:16b ולא תנאף {S} 5:16c ולא תגנב {S} 5:16d ולא תענה {S} 5:17a ולא תחמד {S} 5:21b ולא תתאוה {S} את הדברים 5:22. These parashot are shown in bold within the list below for Parashat Va'etchannan.

The Aleppo Codex is intact starting at Deuteronomy 28:17 (משארתך). Parashot from the extant parts are in bold, as are the parashot shown in the Segall photograph (image at right).

  • Parashat Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22):
    • 1:1–46; 2:1 {S} 2:2–8a {S} 2:8b–16 ונפן {S} 2:17–30 {S} 2:31–37; 3:1–22
  • Parashat Va'etchannan (Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11):
    • {S} 3:23–29 {P} 4:1–24 {P} 4:25–40 {P} 4:41–49 {P} 5:1–5
    • Ten Commandments: {S} 5:6–9 אנכי {S} 5:10 לא תשא {S} 5:11–14 שמור {S} 5:15 כבד {S} 5:16a לא תרצח {S} 5:16b ולא תנאף {S} 5:16c ולא תגנב {S} 5:16d ולא תענה {S} 5:17a ולא תחמד {S} 5:17b ולא תתאוה
    • {S} 5:18–29;6:1–3 {P} 6:4–9 שמע {S} 6:10–15 {S} 6:16–18 {S} 6:19–25 {S} 7:1–11
  • Parashat Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25):
    • {P} 7:12–16 {S} 7:17–26 {P} 8:1–18 {P} 8:19–20 {P} 9:1–29 {P} 10:1–11 {P} 10:12–22;11:1–9 {S} 11:10–12 {S} 11:13–21 {S} 11:22–25
  • Parashat Re'eh (Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17):
    • {S} 11:26–28 {S} 11:29–32;12:1–19 {S} 12:20–28 {S} 12:29–31;13:1 {P} 13:2–6 {S} 13:7–12 {S} 13:13–19 {S} 14:1–2 {S} 14:3–8 {S} 14:9–10 {S} 14:11–21 {P} 14:22–29 {S} 15:1–6 {S} 15:7–11 {S} 15:12–18 {P} 15:19–23 {P} 16:1–8 {S} 16:9–12 {P} 16:13–17
  • Parashat Shofetim (Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9):
    • {S} 16:18–20 {S} 16:21–22 {S} 17:1 {S} 17:2–7 {P} 17:8–13 {S} 17:14–20 {S} 18:1–2 {S} 18:3–5 {S} 18:6–8 {S} 18:9–22 {S} 19:1–10 {P} 19:11–13 {S} 19:14 {S} 19:15–21 {S} 20:1–9 {S} 20:10–18 {S} 20:19–20 {P} 21:1–9
  • Parashat Ki Tetzei (Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19):
    • {S} 21:10–14 {S} 21:15–17 {S} 21:18–21 {S} 21:22–23 {S} 22:1–3 {S} 22:4 {S} 22:5 {P} 22:6–7 {S} 22:8–9 {S} 22:10–11 {S} 22:12 {S} 22:13–19 {S} 22:20–21 {S} 22:22 {S} 22:23–24 {S} 22:25–27 {S} 22:28–29 {S} 23:1 {S} 23:2 {S} 23:3 {S} 23:4–7 {S} 23:8–9 {S} 23:10–15 {S} 23:16–17 {S} 23:18–19 {S} 23:20–21 {S} 23:22–24 {S} 23:25 {S} 23:26 {S} 24:1–4 {S} 24:5–6 {S} 24:7 {S} 24:8–9 {S} 24:10–13 {S} 24:14–15 {S} 24:16 {S} 24:17–18 {S} 24:19 {S} 24:20–22 {S} 25:1–4 {S} 25:5–10 {S} 25:11–12 {S} 25:13–16 {P} 25:17–19
  • Parashat Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8):
    • {P} 26:1–11 {S} 26:12–15 {S} 26:16–19 {P} 27:1–8 {S} 27:9–10 {S} 27:11–14 {S} 27:15 {S} 27:16 {S} 27:17 {S} 27:18 {S} 27:19 {S/-}[27] 27:20 {S} 27:21 {S} 27:22 {S} 27:23 {S} 27:24 {S} 27:25 {S} 27:26 {P} 28:1–14 {P} 28:15–68 {S} 28:69 {P} 29:1–8
  • Parashat Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20):
    • {P} 29:9–29:28 {S} 30:1–10 {S} 30:11–14 {S} 30:15–20
  • Parashat Vayelekh (Deuteronomy 31:1–30):
    • {P} 31:1–6 {S} 31:7–13 {P} 31:14–30
  • Parashat Ha'azinu (Deuteronomy 32:1–52):
  • Parashat Vezot Haberakhah (Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12):
    • {P} 33:1–6 {S} 33:7 {P} 33:8–11 {S} 33:12–17 {S} 33:18–19 {S} 33:20–21 {S} 33:22–23 {S} 33:24–29 {S} 34:1–12

Variants:

  • Leningrad Codex: {S} 7:7 {-} 13:7 {S} 16:22 {S} 18:14 {S} 19:8 {S} 19:11 {S} 22:9 {S} 22:11 {S} 23:8b לא תתעב מצרי {S} 24:6 {S} 24:9 {S} 24:21 {S} 25:4 {S} 25:14 {S} 27:1 {S} 27:20 {-} 24:8 {-} 24:20 {S} 28:15 {P} 30:11 {P} 31:7 {S} 31:16 {S} 33:8

Nevi'im

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Parashot in Nevi'im are listed here according to the Aleppo Codex, with variants from other masoretic traditions noted at the end of each book's section.

The Aleppo Codex is intact for the bulk of Nevi'im. The few parashot noted here from its missing parts are listed according to the notes taken by Joshua Kimhi, who recorded the parashot of the Aleppo Codex in the nineteenth century in the bible of Rabbi Shalom Shachna Yellin. These are indicated by an asterisk.

Joshua

[edit]
  • 1:1–9 {P} 1:10–11 {P} 1:12–18 {P} 2:1–24 {S} 3:1–4 {P} 3:5–6 {S} 3:7–8 {P} 3:9–17;4:1a {P} 4:1b–3 {S} 4:4–13 {S} 4:14 {P} 4:15–24 {P} 5:1 {P} 5:2–8 {P} 5:9–12 {S} 5:13–15;6:1 {S} 6:2–11 {P} 6:12–25 {P} 6:26 {S} 6:27;7:1 {S} 7:2–26 {P} 8:1–17 {P} 8:18–29 {P} 8:30–35;9:1–2 {P} 9:3–27 {P} 10:1–7 {P} 10:8–11 {S} 10:12–14 {S} 10:15–28 {S} 10:29–30 {S} 10:31–32 {P} 10:33–35 {P} 10:36–37 {S} 10:38–43 {P} 11:1–5 {P} 11:6–9 {S} 11:10–20 {S} 11:21–23 {S} 12:1–8
  • {P} Canaanite Kings: {SONG} 12:9–24 {SONG}
  • {P} 13:1–14 {P} 13:15–23 {P} 13:24–32 {P} 13:33 {S} 14:1–5 {P} 14:6–15 {P} 15:1–19
  • Cities of Judah: {P} 15:20–32 {S} 15:33–36 {S} 15:37–41 {S} 15:42–46 {S} 15:47 {S} 15:48–49 {S} 15:50–51 {S} 15:52–54 {S} 15:55–57 {S} 15:58–59 {P} 15:60 {S} 15:61–63
  • {P} 16:1–10 {P} 17:1–13 {S} 17:14–18 {P} 18:1–10 {P} 18:11–20 {P} 18:21–28 {P} 19:1–9 {P} 19:10–16 {P} 19:17–23 {P} 19:24–31 {P} 19:32–39 {P} 19:40–48 {S} 19:49–51 {P} 20:1–9
  • Levite cities: {P} 21:1–2 {P} 21:3–4 {S} 21:5 {S} 21:6 {S} 21:7 {S} 21:8 {S} 21:9–12 {S} 21:13–16 {S} 21:17–19 {S} 21:20–22 {S} 21:23–26 {S} 21:27 {S} 21:28–29 {S} 21:30–31 {S} 21:32–33 {S} 21:34–35 {S} 21:36–40 {S} 21:41–43
  • {P} 22:1–6 {P} 22:7–8 {P} 22:9–12 {P} 22:13–20 {S} 22:21–29 {P} 22:30–34 {P} 23:1–16 {P} 24:1–15 {P} 24:16–26 {P} 24:27–28 {P} 24:29–33

Judges

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  • 1:1–7 {P} 1:8–15 {P} 1:16–21 {P} 1:22–26 {P} 1:27–28 {S} 1:29 {S} 1:30 {S} 1:31–32 {S} 1:33–36 {P} 2:1a {P} 2:1b–5 {P} 2:6–10 {P} 2:11–23 {P} 3:1–6 {P} 3:7–11 {P} 3:12–30 {P} 3:31 {P} 4:1–3 {P} 4:4–24
  • {P} Song of Deborah: {SONG} 5:1–31 {SONG}
  • {P} 6:1–6 {P} 6:7–10 {P} 6:11–19 {P} 6:20–24 {S} 6:25–32 {S} 6:33–40 {P} 7:1 {S} 7:2–3 {S} 7:4–6 {S} 7:7–8 {P} 7:9–14 {P} 7:15–18 {P} 7:19–25;8:1–9 {P} 8:10–21 {P} 8:22–28 {P} 8:29–32 {P} 8:33–35 {P} 9:1–5 {S} 9:6–25 {P} 9:26–45 {P} 9:46–49 {P} 9:50–57 {P} 10:1–2 {P} 10:3–4 {P} 10:6–10 {P} 10:11–16 {P} 10:17–18 {P} 11:1–3 {P} 11:6–11 {P} 11:12–31 {P} 11:32–33 {P} 11:34–40 {P} 12:1–7 {P} 12:8–10 {P} 12:11–12 {P} 12:13–15 {P} 13:1 {P} 13:2–7 {P} 13:8–14 {S} 13:15–18 {P} 13:19–25 {P} 14:1–20 {P} 15:1–8 {P} 15:9–20 {P} 16:1–3 {P} 16:4–22 {P} 16:23–31 {P} 17:1–6 {P} 17:7–13 {P} 18:1 {P} 18:2–6 {P} 18:7–31 {P} 19:1–30 {P} 20:1–2 {P} 20:3–11 {P} 20:12–16 {P} 20:17–23 {P} 20:24–29 {P} 20:30–34 {P} 20:35–48 {P} 21:1–4 {P} 21:5–12 {P} 21:13–18 {S} 21:19–22 {S} 21:23–24 {P} 21:25

Samuel

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  • (1Sam) 1:1–28 {S} 2:1–10 {P} 2:11–21 {S} 2:22–26 {P} 2:27–36 {P} 3:1 {S} 3:2–3 {P} 3:4–5 {S} 3:6–10 {P} 3:11–18 {P} 3:19–20 {S} 3:21 {P} 4:1–17 {P} 4:18–22 {P} 5:1–5 {P} 5:6–8 {S} 5:9–12 {S} 6:1–2 {S} 6:3–14 {S} 6:15–16
  • Philistine offering:[28] {S} 6:17a {S} 6:17b {S} 6:17c {S} 6:17d {S} 6:17e {S} 6:17f
  • {S} 6:18–21;7:1 {P} 7:2 {S} 7:3–4 {P} 7:5–17 {P} 8:1–3 {P} 8:4–6 {P} 8:7–9 {S} 8:10 {S} 8:11–21 {P} 8:22 {P} 9:1–14 {S} 9:15–20 {S} 9:21 {S} 9:22–27 {P} 10:1–9 {S} 10:10–11a {S} 10:11b–16 {S} 10:17–18a {P} 10:18b–22a {S} 10:22b–24 {S} 10:25–27 {P} 11:1–10 {S} 11:11–15 {P} 12:1–5 {P} 12:6–17 {S} 12:18–25 {P} 13:1–12 {S} 13:13–14 {S} 13:15–18 {S} 13:19=23 {S} 14:1–5 {S} 14:6–7 {S} 14:8–12a {P} 14:12b–16 {P} 14:17–19a {P} 14:19b–24 {S} 14:25–35 {P} 14:36–40 {S} 14:41–43 {S} 14:44–45 {S} 14:46–48 {P} 14:49–51 {S} 14:52 {P} 15:1 {S} 15:2–3 {S} 15:4–9 {P} 15:10–15 {P} 15:16 {S} 15:17–19 {S} 15:20–21 {S} 15:22–23 {S} 15:24–26 {S} 15:27 {S} 15:28 {S} 15:29–31 {S} 15:32 {S} 15:33 {S} 15:34–35 {P} 16:1–6 {S} 16:7–12a {P} 16:12b–16 {P} 16:17–23 {P} 17:1–11 {P} 17:12–14 {S} 17:15–16 {P} 17:17–19 {S} 17:20–15 {P} 17:26–33 {S} 17:34–26 {S} 17:37a {S} 17:37b–44 {S} 17:45–47 {S} 17:48–54 {S} 17:55–56 {S} 17:57–58;18:1–5 {P} 18:6–9 {S} 18:10–13 {S} 18:14–16 {P} 18:17 {S} 18:18–27 {S} 18:28–29 {P} 18:30 {S} 19:1–3 {S} 19:4–7 {S} 19:8–10 {P} 19:11–13 {S} 19:14 {S} 19:15–16 {S} 19:17–21a {P} 19:21b–24 {P} 20:1–4 {P} 20:5–8 {P} 20:9 {S} 20:10 {S} 20:11 {S} 20:12–17 {S} 20:18–23 {S} 20:24–26 {S} 20:27a {P} 20:27b–29 {S} 20:30–31 {S} 20:32–33 {S} 20:34 {S} 20:35–39 {S} 20:40–42 {P} 21:1–5 {P} 21:6–9 {S} 21:10a {S} 21:10b–14 {S} 21:15–16 {P} 22:1–4 {S} 22:5 {S} 22:6–8 {S} 22:9–11 {S} 22:12–13 {S} 22:14–17 {S} 22:18–23 {S} 23:1–2a {S} 23:2b–3 {S} 23:4–5 {S} 23:6–9 {S} 23:10–11a {S} 23:11b {S} 23:12 {S} 23:13–15 {S} 23:16–18 {S} 23:19–29 {S} 24:1 {S} 24:2–7 {S} 24:8 {S} 24:9–15 {P} 24:16–22 {S} 25:1 {P} 25:2–31 {S} 25:32–44 {S} 26:1–7 {S} 26:8–9 {P} 26:10–14 {P} 26:15–24 {P} 26:25 {P} 27:1–4 {S} 27:5–6 {P} 27:7–12 {P} 28:1–2 {P} 28:3–14 {S} 28:15 {S} 28:16–25 {P} 29:1–3 {P} 29:4–5 {S} 29:6–7 {S} 29:8–11 {S} 30:1–6 {S} 30:7–12 {S} 30:13–21 {S} 30:22 {S} 30:23–24 {S} 30:25 {P} 30:26
  • Spoils:[29] {S} 30:27a {S} 30:27b {S} 30:27c {S} 30:28a {S} 30:28b {S} 30:28c {S} 30:29a {S} 30:29b {S} 30:29c {S} 30:30a {S} 30:30b {S} 30:30c {S} 30:31
  • {P} 31:1–7 {P} 31:8–13 {P} (2Sam) 1:1–12 {P} 1:13–16 {P} 1:17–27 {P} 2:1–4 {S} 2:5–7 {P} 2:8–9 {P} 2:10–11 {S} 2:12–32;3:1 {S} 3:2–5 {P} 3:6–8 {S} 3:9–11 {S} 3:12–13 {S} 3:14–30 {S} 3:31–32 {S} 3:33–37 {S} 3:38–39 {P} 4:1–3 {S} 4:4–12 {P} 5:1–3 {S} 5:4–10 {P} 5:11–12 {S} 5:13–16 {P} 5:17–19a {P} 5:19b–21 {P} 5:22–25 {P} 6:1–20a {S} 6:20b–23 {P} 7:1–4a {S} 7:4b–5a {S} 7:5b–17 {P} 7:18–24 {S} 7:25–29 {P} 8:1–8 {S} 8:9–18 {S} 9:1–13 {P} 10:1–16 {S} 10:17–19 {P} 11:1 {S} 11:2–15 {S} 1:16–24 {S} 11:25–27 {P} 12:1–6 {S} 12:7a {S} 12:7b–10 {S} 12:11–12 {S} 12:13a {S} 12:13b–25 {P} 12:26–31 {P} 13:1–22 {P} 13:23–27 {S} 13:28–30 {P} 13:31 {S} 13:32–33 {P} 13:34–39 14:1–4 {S} 14:5–7 {P} 14:8–9 {S} 14:10–12 {S} 14:13–17 {P} 14:18–20 {S} 14:21–23 {S} 14:24 {S} 14:25–27 {P} 14:28–30 {P} 14:31–33 {S} 15:1–6 {P} 15:7–9 {P} 15:10–18 {S} 15:19–24 {S} 15:25–26 {S} 15:27–37 {S} 16:1–9 {S} 16:10 {S} 16:11–13a {S} 16:13b {P} 16:14–19 {P} 16:20–23 {S} 17:1–4 {S} 17:5–6 {S} 17:7–13 {P} 17:14a {S} 17:14b {S} 17:15–20 {S} 17:21–23 {S} 17:24–26 {S} 17:27–29 {S} 18:1–2a {S} 18:2b–3 {S} 18:4–18 {S} 18:19–28a {S} 18:28b {S} 18:29–31 {S} 18:32 {S} 19:1–5 {S} 19:6–8a {S} 19:8b {S} 19:9 {S} 19:10–11 {S} 19:12–21 {S} 19:22 {S} 19:23–24 {S} 19:25–29 {P} 19:30–31 {S} 19:32–38 {S} 19:39–40 {S} 19:41–42 {S} 19:43 {S} 19:44{S} 20:1–3 {S} 20:4–5 {S} 20:6–8 {S} 20:9–14a {S} 2–:14b–19 {P} 2–:20–22 {S} 20:23–26 {S} 21:1a {S} 21:1b–6 {P} 21:7–14 {P} 21:15–17 {P} 21:18 {S} 21:19 {S} 21:20–22
  • {P} Song of David: {SONG} 22:1–51 {SONG}
  • {P} 23:1–7 {P} 23:8 {S} 23:9–10 {S} 23:11–12 {S} 23:13–15 {S} 23:16–17 {S} 23:18–19 {S} 23:20–23
  • David's Thirty Champions:[30] {S} 23:24 {S} 23:25a {S} 23:25b {S} {S} 23:26a {S} 23:26b {S} 23:26c {S} 23:27a {S} 23:27b {S} {S} 23:28a {S} 23:28b {S} {S} 23:29a {S} 23:29b {S} {S} 23:30a {S} 23:30b {S} 23:31a {S} 23:31b {S} {S} 23:32a {S} 23:32b {S} {S} 23:33a {S} 23:33b {S} {S} 23:34a {S} 23:34b {S} {S} 23:35a {S} 23:35b {S} {S} 23:36a {S} 23:36b {S} {S} 23:37a {S} 23:37b {S} {S} 23:38a {S} 23:38b {S} 23:39
  • {P} 24:1–2 {S} 24:3–10a {P} 24:10b–11a {P} 24:11b–13 {S} 24:14–16 {S} 24:17 {P} 24:18–23a {S} 24:23b–25

Kings

[edit]

The Aleppo Codex is missing three folios from II Kings that included 14:21 (את עזריה) to 18:13 (שנה). Parashot listed from the missing section are based upon Kimhi's notes on the codex[31] and marked with an asterisk (*).

  • (1Kings) 1:1–19a {P} 1:19b–27 {S} 1:28–31 {P} 1:32–53 {P} 2:1–10 {P} 2:11–12 {S} 2:13–22 {P} 2:23–25 {S} 2:26–27 {P} 2:28–38 {S} 2:39–40 {S} 2:41–46;3:1–2 {P} 3:3–14 {S} 3:15 {P} 3:16–23 {P} 3:24–27 {S} 3:28
  • Solomon's officials: {S} 4:1 {S} 4:2 {S} 4:3a {S} 4:3b {S} 4:4a {S} 4:4b {S} 4:5a {S} 4:5b {S} 4:6a {S} 4:6b {S} 4:7 {S} 4:8 {S} 4:9 {S} 4:10 {S} 4:11 {S} 4:12 {S} 4:13 {S} 4:14 {S} 4:15 {S} 4:16 {S} 4:17 {S} 4:18 {S} 4:19–20;5:1
  • {P} 5:2–5 {S} 5:6–8 {S} 5:9–14 {S} 5:15 {S} 5:16–25 {P} 5:26–28 {S} 5:29–30 {S} 5:31–32 {P} 6:1–10 {P} 6:11–13 {P} 6:14–38;7:1–12 {P} 7:13–26 {P} 7:27–37 {S} 7:38–39 {S} 7:40–50 {P} 7:51 {P} 8:1–11 {P} 8:12–21 {S} 8:22–34 {S} 8:35–36 {S} 8:37–53 {P} 8:54–66;9:1 {P} 9:2–9 {P} 9:10–13 {P} 9:14–22 {S} 9:23–28 {P} 10:1–13 {P} 10:14–17 {P} 10:18–25 {S} 10:26–29 {P} 11:1–6 {S} 11:7–10 {P} 11:11–13 {S} 11:14–25 {P} 11:26–28 {S} 11:29–39 {S} 11:40 {S} 11:41–43 {S} 12:1–17 {P} 12:18–19 {S} 12:20–21 {P} 12:22–24 {S} 12:25–33 {P} 13:1–10 {P} 13:11–20a {P} 13:20b–32 {P} 13:33–34 {P} 14:1–4 {P} 14:5–20 {P} 14:21–24 {P} 14:25–31 {P} 15:1–8 {P} 15:9–14 {S} 15:15–24 {P} 15:25–32 {P} 15:33–34 {S} 16:1–7 {P} 16:8–14 {P} 16:15–20 {P} 16:21–22 {P} 16:23–28 {P} 16:29–34 {S} 17:1 {S} 17:2–7 {S} 17:8–16 {P} 17:17–24 {P} 18:1–14 {S} 18:15–46;19:1–14 {S} 19:15–21 {P} 20:1–22 {P} 20:23–25 {P} 20:26–34 {S} 20:35–43 {P} 21:1–16 {P} 21:17–26 {P} 21:27 {P} 21:28–29;22;1 {P} 22:2–18 {S} 22:19–40 {P} 22:41–51 {S} 22:52–54;1:1–2(2Kings)[32] {S} 1:3–14 {S} 1:15–17a {P} 1:17b {S} 1:18 {P} 2:1–18 {S} 2:19–22 {P} 2:23–25 {P} 3:1–3 {P} 3:4–10 {S} 3:11–27 {P} 4:1–7 {P} 4:8–37 {P} 4:38–41 {S} 4:42–44 {P} 5:1–19 {S} 5:20–27;6:1–7 {P} 6:8–23 {P} 6:24–33 {P} 7:1–2 {P} 7:3–20 {S} 8:1–4 {S} 8:5–6 {P} 8:7–15 {P} 8:16–24 {P} 8:25–29 {P} 9:1–28 {P} 9:29–37 {S} 10:1–14 {S} 10:15–17 {P} 10:18–29 {P} 10:30–36 {P} 11:1–3 {P} 11:4–12 {S} 11:13–16 {S} 11:17–20 {S} 12:1 {P} 12:2–6 {P} 12:7–17 {P} 12:18–22 {P} 13:1–9 {P} 13:10–13 {P} 13:14–19 {P} 13:20–21 {P} 13:22–25 {P} 14:1–7 {P} 14:8–16 {P} 14:17–22 {P*} 14:23–29 {P*} 15:1–7 {P*} 15:8–12 {P*} 15:13–16 {P*} 15:17–22 {P*} 15:23–26 {P*} 15:27–31 {P*} 15:32–38 {P*} 16:1–20[33] {P*} 17:1–6 {P*} 17:7–23 {P*} 17:24–41 {P*} 18:1–8 {P*} 18:9–12 {P*} 18:13–16 {P} 18:17–37;19:1–14 {P} 19:15–19 {S} 19:20–31 {S} 19:32–37 {P} 20:1–3 {S} 20:4–11 {P} 20:12–21 {P} 21:1–11 {S} 21:12–18 {P} 21:19–26 {P} 22:1–2 {P} 22:3–20;23:1–30 (Josiah's deeds) {P} 23:31–35 {S} 23:36–37;24:1–7 {P} 24:8–17 {P} 24:18–20 {S} 25:1–7 {S} 25:8–24 {P} 25:25–26 {P} 25:27–30

Isaiah

[edit]
  • Prophecies about Judah and Israel (1–12): 1:1–9 {P} 1:10–17 {S} 1:18–20 {P} 1:21–23 {S} 1:24–31 {P} 2:1–4 {P} 2:5–11 {P} 2:12–22 {P} 3:1–12 {P} 3:13–15 {S} 3:16–17 {S} 3:18–26;4:1 {S} 4:2–6 {P} 5:1–7 {P} 5:8–10 {S} 5:11–17 {S} 5:18–19 {S} 5:20 {S} 5:21 {S} 5:22–23 {P} 5:24–30 {P} 6:1–13 {P} 7:1–2 {S} 7:3–6 {P} 7:7–9 {P} 7:10–17 {P} 7:18–20 {P} 7:21–22 {S} 7:23–25 {P} 8:1–3a {S} 8:3b–4 ויאמר ה' אלי {S} 8:5–8 {S} 8:9–10 {S} 8:11–15 {P} 8:16–18 {S} 8:19–23;9:1–6 {P} 9:7–12 {S} 9:13–20 {S} 10:1–4 {P} 10:5–11 {P} 10:12–15 {P} 10:16–19 {S} 10:20–23 {P} 10:24–32 {P} 10:33–34 {S} 11:1–9 {S} 11:10 {P} 11:11–16;12:1–6
  • Prophecies about the Nations (13–23): {S} 13:1–5 {S} 13:6–22;14:1–2 {S} 14:3–27 {P} 14:28–32 {P} 15:1–9;16:1–4 {S} 16:5–12 {S} 16:13–14 {P} 17:1–3 {P} 17:4–8 {S} 17:9–11 {S} 17:12–14 {P} 18:1–3 {S} 18:4–6 {S} 18:7 {S} 19:1–17 {S} 19:18 {S} 19:19–22 {S} 19:23 {S} 19:24–25 {S} 20:1–2 {S} 20:3–6 {P} 21:1–5 {S} 21:6–10 {P} 21:11–12 {P} 21:13–15 {S} 21:16–17 {S} 22:1–14 {P} 22:15–25 {P} 23:1–14 {S} 23:15–18
  • Prophecies about Judah and Israel (24–35): {P} 24:1–15 {S} 24:16–20 {S} 24:21–23 {P} 25:1–5 {P} 25:6–8 {P} 25:9–12 {S} 26:1–10 {P} 26:11 {S} 26:12 {S} 26:13–15 {P} 26:16–19 {P} 26:20–21 {P} 27:1 {S} 27:2–6 {P} 27:7–11 {P} 27:12 {P} 27:13 {P} 28:1–4 {S} 28:5–6 {S} 28:7–8 {P} 28:9–13 {P} 28:14–15 {P} 28:16–17 {S} 28:18–22 {P} 28:23–29 {P} 29:1–8 {P} 29:9–12 {S} 29:13–14 {S} 29:15–21 {P} 29:22–24 {S} 30:1–5 {S} 30:6–11 {S} 30:12–14 {S} 30:15–18 {P} 30:19–26 {P} 30:27–33 {P} 31:1–3 {S} 31:4–9 {P} 32:1–8 {S} 32:9–20 {S} 33:1 {S} 33:2–6 {P} 33:7–9 {S} 33:10–12 {P} 33:13–24 {S} 34:1–17 {S} 35:1–2 {P} 35:3–10
  • Narrative (36–39): {S} 36:1–10 {S} 36:11–16a {P} 36:16b–22 כי כה אמר {S} 37:1–14 {S} 37:15–32 {S} 37:33–35 {S} 37:36–38 {S} 38:1–3 {S} 38:4–8 {S} 38:9–22 {S} 39:1–2 {S} 39:3–8
  • Consolations (40–66): {P} 40:1–2 {S} 40:3–5 {P} 40:6–8 {S} 40:9–11 {S} 40:12–16 {P} 40:17–20 {S} 40:21–24 {S} 40:25–26 {S} 40:27–31 {S} 41:1–7 {S} 41:8–13 {S} 41:14–16 {S} 41:17–20 {P} 41:21–24 {P} 41:25–29 {P} 42:1–4 {P} 42:5–9 {P} 42:10–13 {S} 42:14–17 {P} 42:18–25;43:1–10 {S} 43:11–13 {S} 43:14–15 {S} 43:16–21 {S} 43:22–28 {P} 44:1–5 {P} 44:6–20 {S} 44:21–23 {S} 44:4–28 {P} 45:1–7 {P} 45:8 {S} 45:9 {S} 45:10 {S} 45:11–13 {S} 45:14–17 {P} 45:18–25;46:1–2 {P} 46:3–4 {S} 46:5–7 {S} 46:8–11 {S} 46:12–13 {S} 47:1–3 {P} 47:4–7 {P} 47:8–15 {S} 48:1–2 {S} 48:3–11 {P} 48:12–16 {P} 48:17–19 {S} 48:20–22 {P} 49:1–4 {S} 49:5–6 {S} 49:7 {S} 49:8–13 {S} 49:14–21 {P} 49:22–23 {S} 49:24 {S} 49:25–26 {S} 50:1–3 {P} 50:4–9 {S} 50:10 {S} 50:11 {S} 51:1–3 {S} 51:4–6 {P} 51:7–8 {S} 51:9–11 {S} 51:12–16 {S} 51:17–21 {P} 51:22–23 {P} 52:1–2 {S} 52:3 {S} 52:4–6 {S} 52:7–10 {S} 52:11–12 {S} 52:13–15 {S} 53:1–12 {P} 54:1–8 {S} 54:9–10 {S} 54:11–17 {S} 55:1–5 {S} 55:6–13 {P} 56:1–2 {S} 56:3 {P} 56:4–5 v{S} 56:6–9 {P} 56:10–12;57:1–2 {S} 57:3–14 {S} 57:15–21 {P} 58:1–14 {P} 59:1–14 {S} 59:15–21 {S} 60:1–22 {S} 61:1–9 {P} 61:10–11;62:1–9 {S} 62:10–12 {S} 63:1–6 {S} 63:7–19;64:1–2 {S} 64:3–11 {P} 65:1–7 {S} 65:8–12 {P} 65:13–25 {S} 66:1–4 {S} 66:5–9 {S} 66:10–11 {S} 66:12–14 {S} 66:15–24

Jeremiah

[edit]

Jeremiah is divided into distinct prophecies, each of which begins with an announcement of "the word of the Lord to Jeremiah" or a similar phrase. Each such prophecy begins a new open parashah {P} in the Aleppo Codex, with the single exception of the sixth prophecy (14:1) that begins with a closed parashah {S}.

The Aleppo Codex is missing two folios from Jeremiah, and the folio following them is also partly torn. The missing text included parts of chapters 29–32.[34] Parashot listed from the missing parts are based upon Kimhi's notes on the codex[31] and marked with an asterisk (*).

Prophecies of Destruction (1–25):

  • First prophecy (1): 1:1–3 {P} 1:4–6 {S} 1:7–10 {P} 1:11–12 {S} 1:13–19
  • Second prophecy (2:1–3:5): {P} 2:1–3 {P} 2:4–28 {S} 2:29–37;3:1–5
  • Third prophecy (3:6–6:30): {P} 3:6–10 {S} 3:11–17 {S} 3:18–25 {S} 4:1–2 {S} 4:3–8 {P} 4:9 {S} 4:10–18 {P} 4:19–21 {P} 4:22–31 {S} 5:1–9 {S} 5:10–13 {S} 5:14–19 {P} 5:20–29 {S} 5:30–31; 6:1–5 {P} 6:6–8 {P} 6:9–15 {S} 6:16–21 {P} 6:22–30
  • Fourth prophecy (7–10): {P} 7:1–2 {S} 7:3–15 {P} 7:16–20 {P} 7:21–28 {S} 7:29–31 {P} 7:32–34;8:1–3 {S} 8:4–12 {P} 8:13–16 {P} 8:17 {S} 8:18–22 {S} 8:23 {S} 9:1–5 {S} 9:6–8 {S} 9:9–10 {S} 9:11 {S} 9:12–13 {P} 9:14–15 {P} 9:16–18 {S} 9:19–21 {S} 9:22–23 {S} 9:24–25 {P} 10:1–5 {P} 10:6–10 {P} 10:11 {S} 10:12–16 {S} 10:17 {S} 10:18 {S} 10:19–21 {P} 10:22 {S} 10:23–25
  • Fifth prophecy (11–13): {P} 11:1–5 {P} 11:6–8 {S} 11:9–10 {S} 11:11–13 {S} 11:14 {S} 11:15–17 {P} 11:18–20 {S} 11:21 {P} 11:22–23 {S} 12:1–3 {P} 12:4–6 {S} 12:7–12 {S} 12:13 {P} 12:14–17 {S} 13:1–2 {P} 13:3–7 {P} 13:8–10 {S} 13:11–12a {S} 13:12b–17 כה אמר {S} 13:18–19 {S} 13:20–27
  • Sixth prophecy (14–17): {S} 14:1–9 {S} 14:10 {P} 14:11–12 {S} 14:13 {S} 14:14 {S} 14:15–18 {S} 14:19–22 {P} 15:1–9 {S} 15:10 {S} 15:11–14 {S} 15:15–16 {S} 15:17–18 {S} 15:19–21 {S} 16:1–2 {S} 16:3–4 {S} 16:5–8 {P} 16:9–13 {P} 16:14–5 {P} 16:16–18 {P} 16:19–21 {S} 17:1–4 {S} 17:5–6 {S} 17:7–10 {S} 17:11–13 {P} 17:14–18 {S} 17:19–27
  • Seventh prophecy (18–20): {P} 18:1–4 {S} 18:5–6 {S} 18:7–8 {S} 18:9–10 {S} 18:11–12 {P} 18:13–17 {S} 18:18–23 {S} 19:1–5 {P} 19:6–13 {P} 19:14 {S} 19:15;20:1–3 {S} 20:4–6 {P} 20:7–12 {S} 20:13 {S} 20:14–18
  • Eighth prophecy (21–24): {P} 21:1–3 {S} 21:1–3 {S} 21:4–10 {S} 21:11–14;22:1–5 {P} 22:6–9 {S} 22:10–12 {S} 22:13–17 {S} 22:18–19 {S} 22:20–27 {P} 22:28–30 {P} 23:1 {S} 23:2–4 {S} 23:5–6 {P} 23:7–8 {P} 23:9–14 {P} 23:15 {P} 23:16–22 {S} 23:23–29 {S} 23:30–40 {P} 24:1–2 {P} 24:3 {P} 24:4–7 {S} 24:8–10
  • Ninth prophecy (25): {P} 25:1–7 {P} 25:8–14 {P} 25:15–27a {P} 25:27b–31 כה אמר {S} 25:32–38

Prophecies interwoven with narratives about the prophet's life (26–45):

  • Tenth prophecy (26–29): {P} 26:1–6 {P} 26:7–10 {S} 26:11–15 {S} 26:16–24 {P} 27:1–22 {P} 28:1–11 {P} 28:12–17 {P} 29:1–9 {P*} 29:10–15 {S*} 29:16 {S*} 29:17–20 {P*} 29:21–23 {S*} 29:24–29 {P*} 29:30–32
  • Consolations (30–33):
    • Eleventh prophecy (30–31): {P*} 30:1–3 {P*} 30:4–9 {S*} 30:10–11 {S*} 30:12–17 {S*} 30:18–22 {S*} 30:23–25 {S*} 31:1–5 {P*} 31:6–8 {P*} 31:9–13 {P*} 31:14 {S*} 31:15–19[35] {S*} 31:20–21 {P*} 31:22–25 {S*} 31:26–29 {S*} 31:30–33 {S*} 31:34–35 {S} 31:36 {S} 31:37–39
    • Twelfth prophecy (32–33): {P} 32:1–5 {P} 32:6–14 {S*} 32:15 {P*} 32:16–25 {S} 32:26–35 {S} 32:36–41 {S} 32:42–44 {P} 33:1–3 {P} 33:4–9 {S} 33:10–11 {S} 33:12–13 {S} 33:14–16 {S} 33:17–18 {P} 33:19–22 {S} 33:23–24 {S} 33:25–26
  • Thirteenth prophecy (34): {P} 34:1–5 {S} 34:6–7 {P} 34:8–11 {P} 34:12–16 {S} 34:17–22
  • Fourteenth prophecy (35): {P} 35:1–11 {P} 35:12–19
  • Fifteenth prophecy (36–39): {P} 36:1–3 {S} 36:4–8 {P} 36:9–18 {S} 36:19–26 {S} 36:27–29 {S} 36:30–32 {P} 37:1–5 {P} 37:6–8 {P} 37:9–11 {S} 37:12–21;38:1–2 {S} 38:3–6 {S} 38:7–13 {S} 38:14–16 {S} 38:17a {S} 38:17b–18 כה אמר {S} 38:19–23 {S} 38:24–26 {P} 38:27–28a {S} 38:28b; 39:1–14 והיה כאשר {S} 39:15–18
  • Sixteenth prophecy (40–45): {P} 40:1–6 {P} 40:7–12 {S} 40:13–16 {P} 41:1–10 {S} 41:11–15 {S} 41:16–18 {P} 42:1–6 {P} 42:7–22 {S} 43:1 {S} 43:2–7 {S} 43:8–13 {P} 44:1–6 {S} 44:7–10 {S} 44:11–14 {P} 44:15–19 {S} 44:20–23 {S} 44:24–25 {S} 44:26–29 {P} 44:30 {S} 45:1–5

Prophecies against the nations (46–51):

  • Against the nations (46–49): {P} 46:1–12 {P} 46:13–19 {S} 46:20–26 {P} 46:27–28 {P} 47:1–7 {P} 48:1–11 {S} 48:12–39 {S} 48:40–47 {S} 49:1–6 {P} 49:7–11 {S} 49:12–19 {S} 49:20–22 {P} 49:23–27 {P} 49:28–33 {S} 49:34–39
  • Against Babylon (50–51): {P} 50:1–7 {S} 50:8–16 {S} 50:17 {P} 50:18–20 {P} 50:21 {S} 50:22–27 {S} 50:28–30 {P} 50:31–32 {S} 50:33–46 {S} 51:1–10 {S} 51:11–14 {S} 51:15–19 {P} 51:20–24 {S} 51:25–32 {S} 51:33–35 {S} 51:36–51 {P} 51:52–53 {S} 51:54–57 {S} 51:58 {S} 51:59–64

Narrative (52):

  • Destruction and Hope (52): {P} 52:1–23 {S} 52:24–27 {S} 52:28–30 {S} 52:31–34

Ezekiel

[edit]
  • Prophecies before the Fall of Jerusalem (1–24): 1:1–28 {P} 2:1–2 {P} 2:3–5 {P} 2:6–7 {P} 2:8–10 {S} 3:1–3 {P} 3:4–9 {P} 3:10–16a {P} 3:16b–21ויהי דבר {P} 3:22–27 {P} 4:1–3 {P} 4:4–12 {S} 4:13–14 {S} 4:15 {S} 4:16–17 {P} 5:1–4 {P} 5:5–6 {S} 5:7–9 {P} 5:10 {S} 5:11–17 {P} 6:1–10 {P} 6:11–14 {P} 7:1–4 {P} 7:5–22 {P} 7:23–27 {P} 8:1–6 {P} 8:7–8 {S} 8:9–14 {S} 8:15–18;9:1–3 {P} 9:4–11 {P} 10:1–22;11:1 {P} 11:2–3 {S} 11:4–6 {P} 11:7–13 {P} 11:14–15 {S} 11:16 {S} 11:17–25 {P} 12:1–7 {P} 12:8–16 {P} 12:17–20 {P} 12:21–25 {P} 12:26–28 {P} 13:1–7 {S} 13:8–12 {S} 13:13–16 {P} 13:17–19 {S} 13:20–23;14:1 {P} 14:2–3 {S} 14:4–5 {S} 14:6–8 {S} 14:9–11 {P} 14:12–20 {P} 14:21–23 {P} 15:1–5 {S} 15:6–8 {P} 16:1–35 {P} 16:36–50 {S} 16:51–58 {S} 16:59–63 {P} 17:1–10 {P} 17:11–18 {S} 17:19–21 {P} 17:22–24 {P} 18:1–20 {S} 18:21–23 {S} 18:24–26 {S} 18:27–32 {P} 19:1–9 {P} 19:10–14 {P} 20:1 {S} 20:2–26 {S} 20:27–29 {S} 20:30–31a {S} 20:31b–44 ואני אדרש {P} 21:1–5 {P} 21:6–10 {S} 21:11–12 {P} 21:13–18 {P} 21:19–22 {P} 21:23–28 {S} 21:29 {P} 21:30 {S} 21:31–32 {P} 21:33–37 {P} 22:1–16 {P} 22:17–18 {S} 22:19–22 {P} 22:23–31 {P} 23:1–10 {S} 23:11–21 {S} 23:22–27 {P} 23:28–31 {S} 23:32–34 {S} 23:35 {S} 23:36–45 {S} 23:46–49 {P} 24:1–5 {S} 24:6–8 {P} 24:9–14 {P} 24:15–24 {S} 24:25–27
  • Prophecies about the Nations (25–32): {P} 25:1–5 {P} 25:6–7 {P} 25:8–11 {P} 25:12–17 {P} 26:1–6 {P} 26:7–14 {S} 26:15–18 {S} 26:19–21 {P} 27:1–3 {S} 27:4–36 {P} 28:1–5 {S} 28:6–10 {P} 28:11–19 {P} 28:20–24 {P} 28:25–26 {P} 29:1–7 {S} 29:8–12 {S} 29:13–16 {P} 29:17–18 {S} 29:19–21 {P} 30:1–5 {P} 30:6–9 {S} 30:10–12 {S} 30:13–19 {P} 30:20–21 {S} 30:22–26 {P} 31:1–9 {P} 31:10–14 {P} 31:15–18 32:1–2 {S} 32:3–10 {P} 32:11–16 {P} 32:17–32
  • Prophecies after the Fall of Jerusalem (33–39): {P} 33:1–6 {P} 33:7–9 {P} 33:10–11 {P} 33:12–20 {P} 33:21–22 {P} 33:23–24 {S} 33:25–26 {S} 33:27–29 {P} 33:30–33 {P} 34:1–10 {S} 34:11–19 {P} 34:20–31 {P} 35:1–10 {S} 35:11–13 {S} 35:14–15 {P} 36:1–12 {S} 36:13–15 {P} 36:16–21 {P} 36:22–32 {S} 36:33–36 {S} 36:37–38 {P} 37:1–9a {S} 37:9b–14 כה אמר {P} 37:15–28 {P} 38:1–9 {S} 38:10–13 {S} 38:14–16 {S} 38:17 {S} 38:18–23 {S} 39:1–10 {S} 39:11–16 {P} 39:17–24 {S} 39:25–29
  • Visions of the Future Jerusalem (40–48): {P} 40:1–49;41:1–26;42:1–20;43:1–9 (the future Temple) {S} 43:10–27a {S} 43:27b והיה ביום השמיני {S} 44:1–8 {S} 44:9–14 {P} 44:15–31 {P} 45:1–8 {P} 45:9–15 {P} 45:16–17 {S} 45:18–25 {S} 46:1–5 {S} 46:6–11 {P} 46:12–15 {S} 46:16 {S} 46:17–24;47:1–12 {P} 47:13–23 {P} 48:1–29 {S} 48:30–35

Twelve Minor Prophets

[edit]

The Aleppo Codex leaves four empty lines between each of the books of the Twelve Minor Prophets. The Leningrad Codex leaves three lines. Parashot within each of the twelve individual books are listed below.

The Aleppo Codex is missing seven folios from two different sections of the Twelve Minor Prophets. Parashot listed from the missing sections are based upon Kimhi's notes on the codex[36] and marked with an asterisk (*). The two sections are: (a) three missing folios that included Amos 8:13 to the end, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah until 5:1 (מקדם); (b) four missing folios that included Zephaniah 3:10 (הארץ) to the end, Haggai, Zechariah until 9:17 (דגן).

  • Hosea: 1:1–2a {P} 1:2b–9 {P} 2:1–15 {S} 2:16–22 {P} 2:23–25 {P} 3:1–5 {P} 4:1–19 {P} 5:1–7 {S} 5:8–15;6:1–11 {P} 7:1–12 {S} 7:13–16;8:1–14 {P} 9:1–9 {P} 9:10–17 {S} 10:1–8 {P} 10:9–15; 11:1–11 {S} 12:1–15; 13:1–11 {P} 13:12–15; 14:1 {P} 14:2–10
  • Joel: 1:1–12 {S} 1:13–20 {S} 2:1–14 {P} 2:15–27 {P} 3:1–5;4:1–8 {P} 4:9–17 {S} 4:18–21
  • Amos:
    • Three and four transgressions: 1:1–2 {P} 1:3–5 {P} 1:6–8 {P} 1:9–10 {P} 1:11–12 {P} 1:13–15 {P} 2:1–2 {P} 2:4–5 {P} 2:6–16
    • {P} 3:1–10 {P} 3:11–15 {S} 4:1–9 {S} 4:10–13 {P} 5:1–15 {S} 5:16–17 {P} 5:18–27 {P} 6:1–10 {S} 6:11–14 {P} 7:1–6 {P} 7:7–9 {S} 7:10–11 {S} 7:12–17 {P} 8:1–3 {P} 8:4–8 {P} 8:9–10 {P} 8:11–14 {P*} 9:1–6 {P*} 9:7–12 {P*} 9:13–15
  • Obadiah: There are no parashah divisions in the 21 verses of Obadiah (1:1–21).
  • Jonah: 1:1–16;2:1–10 {P*} 2:11 {S*} 3:1–10;4:1–3 {P*} 4:4–11
  • Micah: 1:1–16 {S*} 2:1–2 {S*} 2:3–13 {P*} 3:1–4 {P*} 3:5–8 {P*} 3:9–12 {P*} 4:1–5 {P*} 4:6–7 {P*} 4:8–14 {S*} 5:1–5 {P*} 5:6 {P} 5:7–14 {P} 6:1–8 {S} 6:9–16 {P} 7:1–8 {P} 7:9–13 {P} 7:14–20
  • Nahum: 1:1–11 {S} 1:12–14 {P} 2:1–14 {P} 3:1–19
  • Habakkuk: 1:1–17 {S} 2:1–4 {S} 2:5–8 {P} 2:9–11 {P} 2:12–14 {P} 2:15–18 {S} 2:19–20 {S} 3:1–13 {P} 3:14–19
  • Zephaniah: 1:1–11 {S} 1:12–18 {S} 2:1–4 {S} 2:5–15 {P} 3:1–13 {P*} 3:14–15 {P*} 3:16–20
  • Haggai: 1:1–2 {P*} 1:3–6 {P*} 1:7–11 {P*} 1:12–14 {P*} 1:15; 2:1–5 {P*} 2:6–9 {P*} 2:10–19 {P*} 2:20–23
  • Zechariah: 1:1–6 {P*} 1:7–17 {P*} 2:1–2 {P*} 2:3–4 {S*} 2:5–9 {P*} 2:10–11 {P*} 2:12–13 {S*} 2:14–17 {P*} 3:1–10; 4:1–7 {P*} 4:8–14; 5:1–8 {S*} 5:9–11 {P*} 6:1–8 {P*} 6:9–15 {P*} 7:1–3 {S*} 7:4–7 {P*} 7:8–14 {P*} 8:1–5 {P*} 8:6 {P*} 8:7–8 {P*} 8:9–13 {S*} 8:14–17 {P*} 8:18–19 {P*} 8:20–22 {S*} 8:23 {P*} 9:1–8 {S*} 9:9–17; 10:1–2 {P} 10:3–12 {P} 11:1–3 {P} 11:4–11 {S} 11:12–14 {P} 11:15–17 {P} 12:1–14; 13:1–6 {P} 13:7–9 {P} 14:1–11; 14:12–21
  • Malachi: 1:1–13 {S} 1:14; 2:1–9 {P} 2:10–12 {P} 2:13–16 {P} 2:17; 3:1–12 {P} 3:13–18 {P} 3:19–21 {S} 3:22–24

Poetic layout of Psalms, Proverbs and Job

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The three poetic books of Psalms, Proverbs and Job are collectively known as Sifrei Emet (see the article on Ketuvim). These three books share a unique system of cantillation unlike that of the other 21 books in Tanakh, a system designed to highlight the parallelisms in their verses.

In the Tiberian masoretic codices, the unique system of cantillation for Sifrei Emet is complemented by a scribal layout unlike that of the rest of the Bible: Instead of the three narrow columns per page typical of these codices, Sifrei Emet are written in two wide columns per page. In each line of these wide columns text begins on the right, followed by a gap, and then continued by further text until the left margin of the column. Although there is ample evidence that the scribes attempted to place the gaps in the middle of the lines at the points where the cantillation divides the verses, they often did not succeed in doing so because of space limitations. Modern editions based upon the Aleppo Codex have implemented the idea fully by allowing wide full-page columns for Psalms, Proverbs, and Job.[37]

In poetic layout, parashah divisions are typically indicated by a blank line for an open parashah. The gaps in the middle of lines are not considered parashah divisions, and each scribe formatted the verses as he saw fit for aesthetic and practical reasons. An exception to this rule, however, is for the introductory titles of many individual psalms which are followed by formal parashah breaks, often by continuing the text at the beginning of the next line. These formal breaks will be indicated in the list of parashot for Psalms.

The special poetic cantillation and layout are not implemented for the narrative opening and conclusion of the book of Job (1:1-3:1 and 42:7-17).

Ketuvim

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Parashot in Ketuvim are listed here according to the Aleppo Codex, with variants from other Masoretic traditions noted at the end of each book's section. The books of Ketuvim are presented in the order they appear in most printed Hebrew bibles. In Tiberian and early Sephardic Masoretic codices (such as the Aleppo Codex) the order is as follows: Chronicles, Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra–Nehemiah.

The Aleppo Codex is largely intact until the word ציון ("Zion") in Song of Songs 3:11. It is missing the rest of Song of Songs, as well as the final books of Ketuvim in their entirety: Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel and Ezra–Nehemiah. It is also missing two folios which included about 10 psalms (15:1–25:1). Parashot listed here from its missing parts are according to the notes taken by Joshua Kimhi, who recorded the parashot of the Aleppo Codex for Rabbi Shalom Shachna Yellin in the nineteenth century. These are indicated by an asterisk. For some of the books that are largely or completely missing, charts have been provided below to allow for easy comparison of the parallel data found in the Masoretic manuscripts.

Key to symbols for variants:

  • A = Aleppo Codex.
  • A* = Aleppo Codex (parashot in the lost parts based on Kimhi's notes).
  • L = Leningrad Codex.
  • Y = Cambridge University Library Add. Ms. 1753 (Yemenite). Yeivin regards this manuscript of Ketuvim as "a second or third hand copy" of a Tiberian manuscript "no less accurate and reliable than the Aleppo Codex."[38]
  • S1 = Sassoon 1053 (10th century). Yeivin judges this manuscript to be carelessly prepared by comparison with other accurate Tiberian codices.[39]
  • L34 = EBP. II B 34 of the Russian National Library in St. Petersburg, a carefully prepared manuscript of Ketuvim but with many gaps.[40]
  • F = Finfer, Pesah. Masoret HaTorah VehaNevi'im.
    • Ff = Finfer, "few books" (קצת ספרים). If a "few books" say one thing and a "few books" another, these are indicated by Ff1 & Ff2.
    • Fo = Finfer, "other books" (שאר ספרים).
    • C="Cairo"
    • D="Damascus"
    • Finfer also sometimes notes a tiqqun.
    • {-} Finfer notes that there is no parashah break at this verse.
    • (-) Finfer doesn't list this verse at all.

Psalms

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The Aleppo Codex leaves two empty lines between the five Books of Psalms (following psalms 41, 72, 89, 106). Otherwise there is one blank line between each two psalms, the standard way of indicating an open parashah break {P} in poetic layout.

There is no break at all, however, between psalms 114–115, which were apparently considered a single psalm by the scribes. Psalm 119, which has sets of eight verses for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, has an open parashah break (a blank line) between each set of eight verses.

The titles of individual Psalms have formal rules. Symbols for representing these rules are as follows, based on examples:

  • 1 {-} = The psalm contains no format title, such as Psalm 1. The entire psalm is written in regular poetic layout.
  • 3:1a {S/T} = There is a closed parashah within the title verse of a psalm. E.g. the title of psalm 3 is more than minimal, an entire verse containing more than one hemistich. There is a closed parashah division after the first hemistich. In masoretic manuscripts, this gap in the middle of the first title verse often closely resembles the poetic layout of the body of the psalm following the title verse.
  • 4:1 {P} = The first full verse of a psalm is a title followed by an open parashah break, such as in Psalm 4. The text of the body of the psalm starts at the beginning of the next line.
  • 11:1a {P} = The beginning of the first verse of a psalm is a title followed by an open parashah break in the middle of that verse, such as in Psalm 11. The text of the body of the psalm starts at the beginning of the next line. Besides formal titles, this form is also found after the word "halleluyah" at the beginning of a number of psalms (e.g. Psalm 106).
  • 15:1a {S} = There is a closed parashah division following a title at the beginning of the first verse of the psalm, such as in Psalm 15. This is also found twice for a full-verse title in Psalms 70:1 {S} and 108:1 {S}.
  • 26 {-/T} The beginning of the first verse of a psalm is a title, but there is no parashah division, such as in Psalm 26.

Book One (Psalms 1-41):

  • 1 {-} · 2 {-} · 3:1a {S/T} · 4:1 {P} · 5:1a {S/T} · 6:1a {S/T} · 7:1a {S/T} · 8:1a {S/T} · 9:1a {S/T} · 10:1 {-} · 11:1a {P} · 12:1 {S/T} · 13:1 {P} · 14:1a {P} · 15:1a {S*} · 16:1a {P*} · 17:1a {P*} · 18:1a {P*} · 19:1 {P*} · 20:1 {P*} · 21:1 {P*} · 22:1a {S/T*} · 23:1a {S*} · 24:1a {P*} · 25:1a {S*} · 26 {-/T} · 27:1a {S} · 28 {-/T} · 29:1a {S} · 30:1 {P} · 31:1 {P} · 32:1a {S} · 33 {-} · 34:1a {S/T} · 35:1a {S} · 36:1 {P} · 37 {-/T} · 38:1 {P} 39:1 {P} · 40:1 {P} · 41:1 {P}

Book Two (Psalms 42-72):

  • 42:1 {P} · 43 {-} · 44:1 {P} 45:1a {S/T} · 46:1a {S/T} · 47:1 {P} · 48:1 {P} · 49:1 {P} · 50:1a {P} · 51:1 {P} · 52:1 {P} · 53:1 {P} · 54:1 {P} · 55:1 {P} · 56:1a {S/T} · 57:1a {S/T} · 58:1 {P} · 59:1a {S/T} · 60:1a {S/T} · 61:1 {P} · 62:1a {S/T} · 63:1a {S/T} · 64:1 {P} · 65:1 {P} · 66:1a {S/T} · 67:1 {P} · 68:1 {P} · 69:1 {P} · 70:1 {S} · 71 {-} · 72:1a {S}

Book Three (Psalms 73-89):

  • 73:1a {S} · 74:1a {S} · 75:1 {P} · 76:1 {P} · 77:1 {P} · 78:1a {P} · 79:1a {P} · 80:1a {S/T} · 81:1 {P} · 82:1a {P} · 83:1 {P} · 84:1 {P} · 85:1 {P} · 86:1a {P} · 87:1a {S/T} · 88:1a {P} 88:1b {S/T} · 89:1 {P}

Book Four (Psalms 90-106):

  • 90:1a {P} · 91 {-} · 92:1 {P} · 93 {-} · 94 {-} · 95 {-} · 96 {-} · 97 {-} · 98 {-/T} · 99:1a {S} (not a title) · 100:1a {S} · 101:1a {S} · 102 {-/T} (first verse is title) · 103 {-/T} · 104 {-} · 105 {-} · 106:1a {P}

Book Five (Psalms 107-150):

  • 107 {-} · 108:1 {S} · 109:1a {P} · 110:1a {P} [...] · 111:1a {P} · 112:1a {P} · 113:1a {P} · 114-115 {-} · 116 {-} · 117 {-} · 118 {-} · 119:1-8 {P} 119:9-16 {P} 119:17-24 {P} 119:25-32 {P} 119:33-40 {P} 119:41-48 {P} 119:49-56 {P} 119:57-64 {P} 119:65-72 {P} 119:73-80 {P} 119:81-88 {P} 119:89-96 {P} 119:97-104 {P} 119:105-112 {P} 119:113-120 {P} 119:121-128 {P} 119:129-136 {P} 119:137-144 {P} 119:145-152 {P} 119:153-160 {P} 119:161-168 {P} 119:169-176 · 120:1a {P} · 121:1a {P} · 122:1a {P} · 123:1a {P} · 124:1a {P} · 125:1a {P} · 126:1a {P} · 127:1a {P} · 128:1a {P} · 129:1a {P} · 130:1a {P} · 131:1a {P} · 132:1a {P} · 133:1a {P} · 134:1a {P} · 135:1a {P} · 136 {-} · 137 {-} · 138 {-/T} 139:1a {P} · 140:1 {P} · 141:1a {P} · 142:1a {P} · 143:1a {P} · 144 {-/T} 145:1a {P} · 146:1a {P} · 147:1a {P} · 148:1a {P} · 149:1a {P} · 150:1a {P}

Proverbs

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  • 1:1–7 {P} 1:8–19 {P} 1:20–33 {P} 2:1–22 {P} 3:1–10 {P} 3:11–18 {P} 3:19–35 {P} 4:1–19 {P} 4:20–27 {P} 5:1–6 {P} 5:7–23 {P} 6:1–5 {P} 6:6–11 {P} 6:12–15 {P} 6:16–19 {P} 6:20–26 {P} 6:27–35 {P} 7:1–27 {P} 8:1–31 {P} 8:32–36; 9:1–18
  • Centered title: "The Proverbs of Solomon" 10:1a (10:1b–19:9). There are no parashah divisions following the centered title until 19:10, an unusually large amount of unbroken text (278 verses).
  • {P} 19:10–29; 20:1–30; 21:1–30 {P} 21:31; 22:1–29 {P} 23:1–5 {P} 23:6–35; 24:1–14 {P} 24:15–18 {P} 24:19–22 {P} 24:23–27 {P} 24:28–29 {P} 24:30–34
  • {P} גם אלה משלי שלמה אשר העתיקו אנשי חזקיה מלך יהודה 25:1-13{P} 25:14–20 {P} 25:21–28; 26; 1–21 {P} 26:22–25; 27:1–22 {P} 27:23–27; 28:1–4 {P} 28:5–10 {P} 28:11–16 {P} 28:17–28; 29:1–17 {P} 29:18–27 {P} 30:1–6 דברי אגור בן יקה המשא {P} 30:7–9 {P} 30:10–14 {P} 30:15–17 {P} 30:18–20 {P} 30:21–23 {P} 30:24–28 {P} 30:29–33 {P} 31:1–7 דברי למואל מלך משא אשר יסרתו אמו {P} 31:8–9 {P} 31:10–31 אשת חיל.

Job

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I. Narrative Opening (1:1–3:1):

  • Common layout and regular cantillation: 1:1–5 {P} 1:6–22 {P} 2:1–10 {P} 2:11–13; 3:1.

II. Poetic Disputations: The disputations, which constitute the bulk of the book of Job, employ the special poetic layout in common with Psalms and Proverbs, along its associated poetic cantillation. In Tiberian masoretic codices, the formal title of each individual speech appears in the center of its line, while the body of the reply appears in poetic form (as in Psalms and Proverbs). The break between the title and the body is considered an open parashah, and the verse numbers for these titles appear in bold in the list. Blank lines as open parashot are also used occasionally, and these are noted as {P}.

  • Main Disputation (3:2–32:1):
    • Centered titles: 3:2 (Job 3:3–26)
      • First cycle: 4:1 (Eliphaz 4:2–21;5:1–27), 6:1 (Job 6:2–30; 7:1–21), 8:1 (Bildad 8:2–22), 9:1 (Job 9:2–35; 10:1–22), 11:1 (Zophar 11:2–20), 12:1 (Job 12:2–25; 13:1–28; 14:1–22)
      • Second cycle: 15:1 (Eliphaz 15:2–35), 16:1 (Job 16:2–22; 17:1–16), 18:1 (Bildad 18:2–21), 19:1 (Job 19:2–29), 20:1 (Zophar 20:2–29), 21:1 (Job 21:2–34), 22:1 (Eliphaz 22:2–30), 23:1 (Job 23:2–17; 24:1–25), 25:1 (Bildad 25:2–6), 26:1 (Job I 26:2–14), 27:1 (Job II 27:2–23; 28:1–28), 29:1 (Job III 29:2–25; 30:1–31; 31:1–40).
    • Conclusion of the main disputation: {P} 32:1.
  • Elihu (32:2–37:24):
    • Introduction: {P} 32:2–5
    • Speech: {P} 32:6–22; 33:1–33 (Elihu I). Centered titles: 34:1 (Elihu II 34:2–37), 35:1 (Elihu III 35:2–16), 36:1 (Elihu IV 36:2–33; 37:1–24).
  • God and Job (38:1–42:6):
    • God: {P} 38:1–41; 39:1–18 {P} 39:19–30.
    • God and Job (centered titles): 40:1 (God 40:2), 40:3 (Job 40:4–5).
    • God: {P} 40:6–32; 41:1–26 {P}.
    • Job (centered title): 42:1 (Job 42:2–6).

III. Narrative Conclusion (42:7–17):

  • Common layout and regular cantillation: {P} 42:7 {S} 42:8–17.

Song of Songs

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The Aleppo Codex is extant until the word ציון ("Zion") in Song of Songs 3:11. Bibles that show parashot in the Song of Songs based upon the Aleppo Codex (with reconstruction of its missing parts based on Kimhi's notes) include two editions following the Breuer method (Horev and The Jerusalem Crown). The flow of text in such bibles is as follows:

  • 1:1–4 {P} 1:5–8 {P} 1:9–14 {S} 1:15–17; 2:1–7 {S} 2:8–13 {S} 2:14 {S} 2:15–17 {S} 3:1–5 {S} 3:6–8 {S} 3:9–11 {S*} 4:1–7 {S*} 4:8–16;5:1 {S*} 5:2–16; 6:1–3 {S*} 6:4–9 {S*} 6:10 {S*} 6:11–12; 7:1–11 {S*} 7:12–14;8:1–4 {S*} 8:5–7 {S*} 8:8–10 {P*} 8:11–14

The Tiberian Masoretic codices are nearly identical in the parts at which they show parashah breaks in the text. However, while A and L have {S} almost exclusively, Y (which is usually very close to A) shows {P} for the large majority of parashot,[41] as shown in the chart below:

Words Verse no. Tiberian tradition Other traditions
A/A* L Y[41] Finfer[42]
שחורה אני 1:5 {P} {S} {P} {S}
לססתי 1:9 {P} {S} {S} {S} Ff={P}
הנך יפה... עיניך יונים 1:15 {S} {S} {S} {S}
קול דודי 2:8 {S} {S} {S} {S}
יונתי 2:14 {S} {S} {P} {S}
אחזו לנו 2:15 {S} {S} {P} {S}
על משכבי 3:1 {S} {S} {P} {S}
מי זאת עלה... כתימרות 3:6 {S} {S} {P} {S}
אפריון 3:9 {S} {S} {P} {S}
הנך יפה... מבעד לצמתך 4:1 {S*} {S} {P} {S}
אתי מלבנון 4:8 {S*} {S} {P} {S}
גן נעול 4:12 {-*}[43] {S} {-} {S}
אני ישנה 5:2 {S*} {S} {P} {S} Ff={P}
יפה את רעיתי כתרצה 6:4 {-*}[44] {S} {P} {P}
מי זאת הנשקפה 6:10 {S*} {S} {S} {S} Ff={P}
אל גנת אגוז 6:11 {S*} {S} {P} (-)
לכה דודי נצא 7:12 {S*} {S} {P} {-} Fo={S}
מי זאת עלה... מתרפקת 8:5 {-*}[44] {S} {P} {S}
אחות לנו קטנה 8:8 {S*} {S} {P} {S}
כרם היה לשלמה 8:11 {-*}[44] {P} {P} {-}
Ff={S} Fo={P}

Ruth

[edit]

In the Tiberian Masoretic codices, the only parashah found in Ruth is for the short chronology at the end of the book:

  • {P} 4:18–22 ואלה תולדות פרץ

Variant:

  • While A, Y, L, and Ff1 all have {P} at 4:18, other traditions noted by Finfer differ: F={-}, Ff2={S}.[45]

Lamentations

[edit]

The Aleppo Codex lacks Lamentations in its entirety. Parashot listed here are based upon Kimhi's notes on the codex.[46]

  • First lamentation (1:1–22): {S} between each of the 22 verses and {P} following the last one.[47]
  • Second lamentation (2:1–22): {S} between each of the 22 verses and {P} following the last one.
  • Third lamentation (3:1–66): {S} between each of 66 verses and {P} following the last one.
  • Fourth lamentation (4:1–22): {S} between each of the 22 verses and {P} following the last one.[47]
  • Fifth lamentation (5:1–22): 5:1–18 {P} 5:19–22

Variants:

  • In the third lamentation, the Leningrad Codex has {S} between each set of three verses beginning with the same letter.

Ecclesiastes

[edit]

The Aleppo Codex lacks Ecclesiastes in its entirety. Parashot listed here are based upon Kimhi's notes on the codex.[48]

There are no further parashah divisions at all in the rest of the book (3:9-12:14) according to Kimhi's notes on the Aleppo Codex, an unusually large amount of unbroken text (170 verses) that is confirmed by Y. The Leningrad Codex has a solitary parashah break: {S} at 9:11. The following chart compares the meager parashah breaks for Ecclesiastes as found in manuscripts:

Words Verse no. Tiberian tradition Other traditions
A*[49] Y[50] L L34[50] Finfer[51]
אין זכרון לראשונים 1:11 {-*} {-} {-} {-} {-} Ff={S}
אני קהלת הייתי מלך 1:12 {P*} {S} {P} {S} {-} Ff={S}
לכל זמן ועת לכל חפץ 3:1 {-*} {-} {-} {-} {-} Ff={S}
עת ללדת 3:2 {S*} {S} {S} {P} {-} Ff={S}
עת ללדת... ועת שלום 3:2-8 {S/P} Song of the Seasons {SONG} {S}
שמר רגלך 4:17 {-*} {-} {-} {S} {-}
טוב שם משמן טוב 7:1 {-*} {-} {-} {-} {-} Fo={S}[52]
לך אכל בשמחה לחמך 9:7 {-*} {-} {-} {-} {-} Ff={S}[52]
שבתי וראה תחת השמש 9:11 {-*} {-} {S} {S} {-}
שמח בחור בילדותיך 11:9 {-*} {-} {-} {S} {-} Fo={S}

Esther

[edit]

The book of Esther is traditionally read by Jews on the holiday of Purim from a handwritten scroll on parchment that must be halakhically valid. This means that the rules of open and closed parashot are of more practical relevance for Esther than for any other book in Nevi'im or Ketuvim. Despite this—or perhaps because of the large numbers of scrolls of Esther that have been written, and the special attention that has therefore been paid to the problem by rabbis and scribes—manuscripts of Esther and opinions about how they should be written betray a relatively large number of discrepancies regarding the parashah divisions.

In the nineteenth century, Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried published a manual for scribes called Keset HaSofer, in which he follows the rule that all parashot in Esther are closed {S} (Keset HaSofer 28:5).[53] This is currently the dominant tradition for Ashkenazic and Sephardic megillot (scrolls of Esther) today. But the Tiberian Masoretic codices contain both open and closed portions. Also, Yemenite scribes did not entirely adopt the tradition of closed portions, leaving the divisions in many scrolls of Esther similar to what is found in the Masoretic codices.

Ganzfried ruled that a scroll of Esther with open portions is invalid, but added that "some authorities validate it" (Keset HaSofer 28:5).[54] When discussing these authorities in his additional notes,[55] Ganzfried cites a list open parashot found in the book Orhot Hayyim, and concludes: "And even though our custom is that all of these are closed, it nevertheless seems that if some or all of these are open one may read from the scroll with a blessing." These have been listed in the chart below under at "OH" under Keset HaSofer, and they are very similar to what is found in the Tiberian masoretic codices.[56]

Words Verse no. Tiberian tradition Other traditions
A* Y[57] L L34[57] Finfer Keset HaSofer
גם ושתי המלכה 1:9 {-} {-} {-} {S} DC={P} {S}
ביום השביעי 1:10 {S} {S} {S} (-) {-}
ויאמר המלך לחכמים 1:13 {-} {S} {-} (-) {S}
ויאמר ממוכן 1:16 {P} {P} {S} {S} DC={P} {S} OH={P}
אחר הדברים האלה כשוך 2:1 {P} {P} {P} {P} {S} C={P} {S} OH={P}
איש יהודי 2:5 {P} {P} {S} {P} {S} C={P} {S} OH={P}
ובכל יום ויום 2:11 {S}[58] {-} {-} {-} (-) {-}
בימים ההם ומרדכי יושב בשער מלך 2:21 {S} {S} {S} {S} {S} C={P} {S}
אחר הדברים האלה גדל 3:1 {P} {P} {P} {P} {S} C={P} {S} OH={P}
ויאמר המן למלך 3:8 {S} {S} {S} {S} {S} C={P} {S}
ומרדכי ידע 4:1 {S} {S} {P} {P} {S} C={P} {S} OH={P}
ויאמר מרדכי להשיב 4:13 {P} {P} {P} {P} (-) {-}
ויהי ביום השלישי ותלבש 5:1 {S} {S} {S} {S} (-) {-}
ויאמר לה המלך מה לך 5:3 {S} {-} {S} {S} (-) {-}
בלילה ההוא נדדה 6:1 {S} {S} {P} {P} {S} C={P} {S}
ויאמר המלך אחשורוש ויאמר לאסתר המלכה 7:5 {S} {S} {S} {S} {S} C={P} {S}
ויאמר חרבונה 7:9 {S} {S} {S} {S} (-) {-}
ביום ההוא נתן המלך אחשורוש 8:1 {P} {P} {P} {P} {S} C={P} {S} OH={P}
ותוסף אסתר ותדבר 8:3 {S} {S} {P} {P} {S} C={P} {S}
ויאמר המלך אחשורוש לאסתר המלכה ולמרדכי 8:7 {S} {S} {S} {S} {S} C={P} {S}
ומרדכי יצא מלפני המלך 8:15 {S} {S} {P} {S} C={P} {S}
ויכו היהודים בכל איביהם 9:5 {-} {-} {P} (-) {-}
ואת פרשנדתא... ואת ויזתא 9:7-9 {S} Haman's Sons {SONG} {S}
ויאמר המלך לאסתר המלכה בשושן הבירה 9:12 {-} {-} {S}[59] (-) {-}
ויכתב מרדכי את הדברים האלה 9:20 {S} {S} {P} {P} (-) {-}
ותכתב אסתר המלכה 9:29 {S} {S} {S} {S} {-}
Fo1={P}
Fo2+tiqqun={S}
{S}
וישם המלך אחשורוש מס 10:1 {S} {S} {P} {P} {S} C={P} {S}

Most printed Jewish bibles, even those based on manuscripts, show the flow of text in Esther according to the widespread tradition based on Keset HaSofer (only closed parashot). Such editions include the Koren edition (Jerusalem, 1962), Breuer's first edition (Jerusalem, 1982) and Dotan's editions (which are otherwise based upon the Leningrad Codex). The flow of text in such bibles is as follows:

  • 1:1–8 {S} 1:9–12 {S} 1:13–15 {S} 1:16–22 {S} 2:1–4 {S} 2:5–20 {S} 2:21–23 {S} 3:1–7 {S} 3:8–15 {S} 4:1–17; 5:1–14 {S} 6:1–14;7:1–4 {S} 7:5–8 {S} 7:9–10 {S} 8:1–2 {S} 8:3–6 {S} 8:7–14 {S} 8:15–17; 9:1–6
  • {S} Haman's Sons: {SONG} 9:7–9 {SONG}
  • {S} 9:10–28 {S} 9:29–32 {S} 10:1–3

Bibles that show the parashot in Esther based upon a reconstruction of the Aleppo Codex include two editions following the Breuer method (Horev and The Jerusalem Crown). The flow of text in such bibles is as follows:

  • 1:1–9 {S*} 1:10–15 {P*} 1:16–22 {P*} 2:1–4 {P*} 2:5–10 {S*}[58] 2:11–20 {S*} 2:21–23 {P*} 3:1–7 {S*} 3:8–15 {S*} 4:1–12 {P*} 4:13–17 {S*} 5:1–2 {S*} 5:3–14 {S*} 6:1–14;7:1–4 {S*} 7:5–8 {S*} 7:9–10 {P*} 8:1–2 {S*} 8:3–6 {S*} 8:7–14 {S*} 8:15–17;9:1–6
  • {S*} Haman's Sons: {SONG*} 9:7–9 {SONG*}
  • {S*} 9:10–19 {S*} 9:20–28 {S*} 9:29–32 {S*} 10:1–3

Daniel

[edit]

The Aleppo Codex lacks Daniel in its entirety. Parashot listed here are based upon Kimhi's notes on the codex.[60]

  • 1:1–21 {S} 2:1–13 {S} 2:14–16 {S} 2:17–24 {S} 2:25–28 {S} 2:29–30 {S} 2:31–45 {S} 2:46–49 {P} 3:1–18 {P} 3:19–23 {P} 3:24–30 {P} 3:31–33; 4:1–25 {P} 4:26–34 {P} 5:1–7 {S}[44] 5:8–12 {P} 5:13–16 {P} 5:17–30 {P} 6:1–6 {S}[44] 6:7–11 {S}[44] 6:12–14 {P} 6:15 {S} 6:16–29
  • {P} 7:1–14 {P} 7:15–28 {P} 8:1–27 {P} 9:1–27 {S} 10:1–3 {P} 10:4–21 {P} 11:1–45; 12:1–3 {P} 12:4–13

Ezra–Nehemiah

[edit]

The Aleppo Codex lacks Ezra–Nehemiah in its entirety. Parashot listed here are based upon Kimhi's notes on the codex.[61]

  • (Ezra) 1:1–8 {S} 1:9 {S} 1:10–11
  • People of the province who returned to Jerusalem: {P} 2:1–2 {S} 2:3 {S} 2:4 {S} 2:5 {S} 2:6 {S} 2:7 {S} 2:8 {S} 2:9 {S} 2:10 {S} 2:11 {S} 2:12 {S} 2:13 {S} 2:14 {S} 2:15 {S} 2:16 {S} 2:17 {S} 2:18 {S} 2:19 {S} 2:20 {S} 2:21 {S} 2:22 {S} 2:23 {S} 2:24 {S} 2:25 {S} 2:26 {S} 2:27 {S} 2:28 {S} 2:29 {S} 2:30 {S} 2:31 {S} 2:32 {S} 2:33 {S} 2:34 {S} 2:35 {S} 2:36 {S} 2:37 {S} 2:38 {S} 2:39 {S} 2:40 {S} 2:41 {S} 2:42 {S} 2:43 {S} 2:44 {S} 2:45 {S} 2:46 {S} 2:47 {S} 2:48 {S} 2:49 {S} 2:50 {S} 2:51 {S} 2:52 {S} 2:53 {S} 2:54 {S} 2:55 {S} 2:56 {S} 2:57 {S} 2:58 {S} 2:59 {P} 2:60 {S} 2:61 {S} 2:62–66 {S} 2:67 {P} 2:68–69 {S} 2:70
  • {S} 3:1a {S} 3:1b {S} 3:2–7 {P} 3:8–9a {S}[44] 3:9b–13 בני חנדד {P} 4:1–6 {S} 4:7 {P} 4:8–11 {P} 4:12 {S} 4:13 {S} 4:14–16 {P} 4:17 {P} 4:18–22 {S} 4:23 {S}[44] 4:24 {P} 5:1 {S} 5:2 {P} 5:3–5 {P} 5:6–7 {S} 5:8–10 {P} 5:11–12 {P} 5:13–15 {P} 5:16–17 {P} 6:1–2 {P} 6:3–4 {S} 6:5 {S} 6:6–12 {P} 6:13–15 {P} 6:16–18 {P} 6:19–22 {P} 7:1–6 {P} 7:7–10 {S} 7:11 {P} 7:12–24 {P} 7:25–26 {P} 7:27–28
  • Chiefs of the clans: {P} 8:1 {S} 8:2a {S} 8:2b {S} 8:2c {S} 8:3a מבני שכניה {S}[44] 8:3b מבני פרעש {S} 8:4 {S} 8:5 {S} 8:6 {S} 8:7 {S} 8:8 {S} 8:9 {S} 8:10 {S} 8:11 {S} 8:12 {S} 8:13 {S} 8:14
  • {S} 8:15-18a {S} 8:18b-19 מבני מחלי {S} 8:20-30 {P} 18:31-34 {P}[44] 18:35 {P} 18:36 {S} 9:1–9 {S} 9:10–14 {S} 9:15 {P} 10:1 {P} 10:2–3 {P} 10:4 {P} 10:5–8 {P} 10:9 {P} 10:10–11 {S} 10:12–14 {S} 10:15–17
  • Priestly families who were found to have foreign women: {P} 10:18–19 {S} 10:20 {S} 10:21 {S} 10:22 {S} 10:23 {S} 10:24 {S} 10:25 {S} 10:26 {S} 10:27 {S} 10:28 {S} 10:29 {S} 10:30 {S} 10:31 {S} 10:32 {S} 10:33 {S} 10:34 {S} 10:35 {S} 10:36 {S} 10:37 {S} 10:38 {S} 10:39 {S} 10:40 {S} 10:41 {S} 10:42 {S} 10:43–44
  • {P} (Nehemiah) 1:1–11 {P} 2:1–9 {P} 2:10–18 {P} 2:19–20
  • Builders: {P} 3:1 {S} 3:2 {S} 3:3 {S} 3:4b {S} 3:4c {S} 3:4a {S} 3:5 {S} 3:6 {S} 3:7 {S} 3:8a {S} 3:8b {S} 3:9 {S} 3:10 {S} 3:11 {S} 3:12 {S} 3:13–14 {S} 3:15 {S} 3:16 {S} 3:17a {S} 3:17b {S} 3:18 {S} 3:19 {S} 3:20 {S} 3:21 {S} 3:22–23a {S} 3:23b {S} 3:24–25 {S} 3:26 {S} 3:27–28 {S} 3:29a {S} 3:29b {S} 3:30a {S} 3:30b {S} 3:31–32
  • {P} 3:33–35 {P} 3:36–38 {P} 4:1–8 {P} 4:9–17 {P} 5:1–8 {P} 5:9–19 6:1–4 {P} 6:5–7 {P} 6:8–13 {P} 6:14–15 {P} 6:16–19 {P} 7:1–5
  • People of the province who returned to Jerusalem: {P} 7:6–7 {S} {S} 7:7 {S} 7:8 {S} 7:9 {S} 7:10 {S} 7:11 {S} 7:12 {S} 7:13 {S} 7:14 {S} 7:15 {S} 7:16 {S} 7:17 {S} 7:18 {S} 7:19 {S} 7:20 {S} 7:21 {S} 7:22 {S} 7:23 {S} 7:24 {S} 7:25 {S} 7:26 {S} 7:27 {S} 7:28 {S} 7:29 {S} 7:30 {S} 7:31 {S} 7:32 {S} 7:33 {S} 7:34 {S} 7:35 {S} 7:36 {S} 7:37 {S} 7:38 {P} 7:39 {S} 7:40 {S} 7:41 {S} 7:42 {S} 7:43 {S} 7:44 {S} 7:45 {P} 7:46 {S} 7:47 {S} 7:48 {S} 7:49 {S} 7:50 {S} 7:51 {S} 7:52 {S} 7:53 {S} 7:54 {S} 7:55 {S} 7:56 {S} 7:57 {S} 7:58 {S} 7:59a {S} 7:59b בני פרכת {P} 7:60 {P} 7:61 {S} 7:62 {S} 7:63–67 {S} 7:68–69 {S} 7:70–72a {S} 7:72b; 8:1–4 ויגע החדש השביעי {S} 8:5–8 {P} 8:9–12 {P} 8:13–15 {S} 8:16 {S} 8:17–18 {P} 9:1–3 {P} 9:4–37 {P} 10:1–14 {S} 10:15–34 {S} 10:35–40;11:1–2 {P} 11:3–6 {P} 11:7–9 {P} 11:10–14 {S} 11:15–18 {P} 11:19–21 {P} 11:22–36 {P} 12:1–7 {P} 12:8–22 {P} 12:23–26 {P} 12:27–34 {P} 12:35–47 {P} 13:1–9 {P} 13:10–13 {P} 13:14–18 {P} 13:19–21 {P} 13:22 {P} 13:23–30a {P} 13:30b–31 ואעמידה משמרות.

Chronicles

[edit]
  • Chronology until David (1 Chronicles 1–10): 1:1–4 {S} 1:5 {S} 1:6 {S} 1:7 {S} 1:8–9 {S} 1:10 {S} 1:11–12 {S} 1:13–16 {S} 1:17 {S} 1:18–23 {S} 1:24–27 {S} 1:28 {S} 1:29–31 {S} 1:32 {S} 1:33 {S} 1:34 {S} 1:35 {S} 1:36 {S} 1:37 {S} 1:38 {S} 1:39 {S} 1:40 {S} 1:41–42 {P} 1:43–51a {P} 1:51b–54 ויהיו אלופי אדום {P} 2:1–2 {P} 2:3 {S} 2:4 {S} 2:5 {S} 2:6 {S} 2:7 {S} 2:8 {S} 2:9–20 {S} 2:21–22 {S} 2:23–24 {S} 2:25–26 {S} 2:27–32 {S} 2:33–41 {S} 2:42–46 {S} 2:47–49 {S} 2:50–53 {S} 2:54–55 {S} 3:1–4 {S} 3:5–9 {P} 3:10–23 {S} 3:24 {S} 4:1–2 {S} 4:3–10 {S} 4:11–12 {S} 4:13–14 {P} 4:15–18 {S} 4:19–23 {S} 4:24–27 {S} 4:28–33a {S} 4:33b–43 זאת מושבתם {P} 5:1–2 {S} 5:3–10 {S} 5:11–13 {S} 5:14–17 {P} 5:18–22 {P} 5:23–26 {P} 5:27–28 {S} 5:29a {S} 5:29b–41 ובני אהרן {P} 6:1–3 {S} 6:4–13 {S} 6:14–15 {P} 6:16–23 {S} 6:24–28 {S} 6:29–32 {S} 6:33–34 {P} 6:35–38 {S} 6:39–41 {S} 6:42–44 {S} 6:45 {S} 6:46 {P} 6:47 {S} 6:48 {S} 6:49–50 {S} 6:51–55 {P} 6:56–58 {S} 6:59–60 {S} 6:61 {S} 6:62–66 {S} 7:1 {S} 7:2 {S} 7:3–5 {S} 7:6–13 {P} 7:14–19 {P} 7:20–29 {P} 7:30–40 {S} 8:1–32 {S} 8:33–40 {P} 9:1 {S} 9:2–4 {S} 9:5–9 {S} 9:10–11 {S} 9:12–34 {S} 9:35–38 {S} 9:39 –44 {P} 10:1–4a {S} 10:4b–5 ויקח שאול {S} 10:6–7 {S} 10:8–10 {S} 10:11–14
  • King David (1 Chronicles 11–29):
    • {P} 11:1–3 {S} 11:4–9 {P} 11:10 {S} 11:11–21 {S} 11:22–25
    • David's champions (11:26–47): {S} 11:26a {S} 11:26b אלחנן {S} 11:27a {S} 11:27b חלץ {S} 11:28a {S} 11:28b אביעזר {S} 11:29a {S} 11:29b עילי {S} 11:30a {S} 11:30b חלד {S} 11:31a {S} 11:31b בניה {S} 11:32a {S} 11:32b אביאל {S} 11:33a {S} 11:33b אליחבא {S} 11:34a {S} 11:34b יונתן {S} 11:35a {S} 11:35b אליפל {S} 11:36 {S} 11:37a {S} 11:37b נערי {S} 11:38a {S} 11:38b מבחר {S} 11:39 {S} 11:40a {S} 11:40b גרב {S} 11:41a {S} 11:41b זבד {S} 11:42a {S} 11:42b חנן {S} 11:43 {S} 11:44a {S} 11:44b שמע {S} 11:45 {S} 11:46a {S} 11:46b–47a ויתמה {S} 11:47b ויעשיאל.
    • {P} 12:1–5 {S} 12:6–14 {S} 12:15–16 {P} 12:17–18 {S} 12:19 {P} 12:20–23
    • David's supporters in Hebron: {P} 12:24 {S} 12:25 {S} 12:26 {S} 12:27 {S} 12:28 {S} 12:29 {S} 12:30 {S} 12:31 {S} 12:32 {S} 12:33 {S} 12:34 {S} 12:35 {S} 12:36 {S} 12:37 {S} 12:38 {S} 12:38–41
    • {P} 13:1–14 {S} 14:1–2 {S} 14:3–7 {P} 14:8–12 {P} 14:13–17;15:1–2 {P} 15:3–4 Levites: {S} 15:5 {S} 15:6 {S} 15:7 {S} 15:8 {S} 15:9 {S} 15:10 {P} 15:11 {S} 15:12–15 {P} 15:16 {P} 15:17a {S} 15:17b–25 ומן בני מררי {P} 15:26–29 {P} 16:1–4 {S} 16:5–7
    • {P} Song of Assaf: {SONG} 16:8–22 {P} 16:23–36 {SONG}
    • {P} 16:37–38 {S} 16:39–43 {P} 17:1–2 {S} 17:3–7a {S} 17:7b–15 כה אמר {P} 17:16–27 18:1–8 {P} 18:9–17 {P} 19:1–5 {S} 19:6–7a {S} 19:7b ובני עמון {S} 19:8–12a {S} 19:12b–15 ואם בני עמון {S} 19:16–19 {S} 20:1–3 {S} 20:4–5 {S} 20:6–8 {P} 21:1–7 {S} 21:8 {P} 21:9–12 {S} 21:13–15 {S} 21:16–17 {S} 21:18–26 {S} 21:27–30 {S} 22:1 {P} 22:2–4 {P} 22:5–6 {S} 22:7–17 {S} 22:18–19 {P} 23:1–5 {S} 23:6 {S} 23:7 {S} 23:8 {S} 23:9 {S} 23:10–11 {S} 23:12 {S} 23:13–14 {S} 23:15–17 {S} 23:18–23 {S} 23:24–32 {P} 24:1–5 {S} 24:6
    • {P} 24:7a {S} 24:7b לידעיה {S} 24:8a {S} 24:8b לשערים {S} 24:9a {S} 24:9b למימן {S} 24:10a {S} 24:10b לאביה {S} 24:11a {S} 24:11b לשכניהו {S} 24:12a {S} 24:12b ליקים {S} 24:13a {S} 24:13b לישבאב {S} 24:14a {S} 24:14b לאמר {S} 24:15a {S} 24:15b להפצץ {S} 24:16a {S} 24:16b ליחזקאל {S} 24:17a {S} 24:17b לגמול {S} 24:18a {S} 24:18b למעזיהו.
    • {P} 24:19 {P} 24:20 {S} 24:21 {S} 24:22 {S} 24:23 {S} 24:24 {S} 24:25 {S} 24:26 {S} 24:27 {S} 24:28 {S} 24:29 {S} 24:30–31 {S} 25:1–3 {S} 25:4–8 {P} 25:9a {S} 25:9b גדליהו {S} 25:10 {S} 25:11 {S} 25:12 {S} 25:13 {S} 25:14 {S} 25:15 {S} 25:16 {S} 25:17 {S} 25:18 {S} 25:19 {S} 25:20 {S} 25:21 {S} 25:22 {S} 25:23 {S} 25:24 {S} 25:25 {S} 25:26 {S} 25:27 {S} 25:28 {S} 25:29 {S} 25:30 {S} 25:31 {P} 26:1–5 {S} 26:6–13 {P} 26:14–16 {S} 26:17a {S} 26:17b–20 ולאספים {S} 26:21 {S} 26:22 {S} 26:23–24 {S} 26:25–28 {P} 26:29–32 {P} 27:1 {P} 27:2 {S} 27:3 {S} 27:4 {S} 27:5–6 {S} 27:7 {S} 27:8 {S} 27:9 {S} 27:10 {S} 27:11 {S} 27:12 {S} 27:13 {S} 27:14 {S} 27:15 {P} 27:16a {S} 27:16b לשמעוני {S} 27:17 {S} 27:18a {S} 27:18b ליששכר {S} 27:19a {S} 27:19b לנפתלי {S} 27:20 {S} 27:21a {S} 27:16b לבנימן 27:22–24 {S} 27:25a {S} 27:25b ועל האצרות {S} 27:26 {S} 27:27a {S} 27:27b ועל שבכרמים {S} 27:28a {S} 27:28b ועל אצרות השמן {S} 27:29a {S} 27:29b ועל הקבר {S} 27:30a {S} 27:30b ועל האתנות {S} 27:31 {S} 27:32 {S} 27:33 {S} 27:34
    • {P} 28:10 {P} 28:11–19 {P} 28:20–21 {S} 29:1–9 {P} 29:10–19 {P} 29:20–25 {P} 29:26–20
  • King Solomon (2 Chronicles 1–9): {P} 1:1–10 {S} 1:11–13 {P} 1:14–18;2:1 {P} 2:2–9 {S} 2:10–15 {P} 2:16–17;3:1–7 {S} 3:8–13 {S} 3:14 {S} 3:15 {S} 3:16–17 {S} 4:1 {S} 4:2–5 {S} 4:6 {S} 4:7 {S} 4:8 {S} 4:9–18 {S} 4:19–22;5:1a {S} 5:1b ויבא שלמה {P} 5:2–10 {P} 5:11–14 {S} 6:1–13 {P} 6:14a ויאמר {P} 6:14b–23 ה' אלהי ישראל {S} 6:24–25 {P} 6:26–27 {S} 6:28–31 {S} 6:32–40 {S} 6:41–42 {P} 7:1–4 {S} 7:5–6 {S} 7:7–11 {P} 7:12–22 {P} 8:1–9 {P} 8:10–11 {P} 8:12–16 {S} 8:17–18 {P} 9:1–12 {P} 9:13–21 {P} 9:22–24 {S} 9:25–31
  • The Davidic Dynasty (2 Chronicles 10–36): {P} 10:1–5 {S} 10:6–11 {P} 10:12–16 {S} 10:17–18a {S} 10:18b והמלך רחבעם התאמץ {S} 10:19;11:1 {P} 11:2–4 {P} 11:5–12 {S} 11:13–23;12:1 {P} 12:2–4 {S} 12:5–8 {S} 12:9–12 {S} 12:13–14 {S} 12:15–16 {P} 13:1–3a {S} 13:3b וירבעם {S} 13:4–5 {P} 13:6–9 {S} 13:10–20 {P} 13:21–23 {P} 14:1–6 {P} 14:7a {S} 14:7b–10 ומבנימן {S} 14:11–14 {S} 15:1–2 {S} 15:3–7 {S} 15:8–9 {P} 15:10–19 {P} 16:1–5 {S} 16:6 {S} 16:7–14 {P} 17:1–6 {P} 17:7–11 {P} 17:12–14a {S} 17:14b עדנה השר {S} 17:15 {S} 17:16 {S} 17:17 {S} 17:18 {S} 17:19 {P} 18:1–17 {S} 18:18–22 {S} 18:23–34;19:1 {S} 19:2–11 {P} 20:1–13 {S} 20:14–30 {P} 20:31–37; 21:1–3 {P} 21:4–11 {P} 21:12–20; 22:1 {P} 22:2–12 {P} 23:1–11 {S} 23:12–13 {S} 23:14–15 {P} 23:16–21; 24:1–2 {S} 24:3–14 {P} 24:15–16 {P} 24:17–19 {S} 24:20–22 {P} 24:23–27 {P} 25:1–10 {S} 25:11–13 {P} 25:14–16 {P} 25:17–24 {P} 25:25–28;26:1–2 {P} 26:3–10 {S} 26:11–23 {P} 27:1–9 {P} 28:1–5 {S} 28:6–7 {S} 28:8 {S} 28:9–11 {S} 28:12–13 {S} 28:14–15 {P} 28:16–27 {P} 29:1–11 {P} 29:12a {S} 29:12b–13 ומן הגרשני {S} 29:14a {S} 29:14b–17 ומן בני ידותון {S} 29:18–19 {S} 29:20–26 {P} 29:27–30 {P} 29:31–36 {P} 30:1–9 {S} 30:10–19 {S} 30:20 {S} 30:21 {S} 30:22 {S} 30:23–24a {S} 30:24b–26 והשרים הרימו {S} 30:27 {P} 31:1 {P} 31:2 {S} 31:3–6 {S} 31:7 {S} 31:8 {P} 31:9–10 {S} 31:11–21 {P} 32:1–8 {P} 32:9–19 {S} 32:20 {S} 32:21–23 {P} 32:24–32 {P} 33:1–9 {P} 33:10–20 {P} 33:21–25 {P} 34:1–7 {P} 34:8–11 {S} 34:12–23 {S} 34:24–26a {S} 34:26b–28 כה אמר ה' אלהי ישראל {S} 34:29–33 {S} 35:1–2 {S} 35:3–6 {P} 35:7 {S} 35:8–18 {S} 35:19 {S} 35:20–22 {S} 35:23–24 {S} 35:25–27 {S} 36:1–4 {P} 36:5–8 {P} 36:9–10 {P} 36:11–14 {S} 36:15–17 {S} 36:18–21 {S} 36:22 {S} 36:23

Songs with special layout

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Image of a modern Torah scroll open to the Song of the Sea (Exodus 15:1–19) with special layout visible.

In addition to the common "open" and "closed" parashot, the Masoretic scribal layout employs spaces in an elaborate way for prominent songs found within narrative books, as well as for certain lists. Each such "song" is formatted in its own exact way, though there are similarities between them. These sections include:

Torah

  • Song of the Sea (Exodus 15:1–19)
  • Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32)

Nevi'im

  • Canaanite Kings (Joshua 12:9–24)
  • Song of Deborah (Judges 5)
  • Song of David (II Samuel 22)

Ketuvim

  • Song of the Seasons (Ecclesiastes 3:2–8)
  • Haman's Sons (Esther 9:7–9)
  • David's Champions (I Chronicles 11:26–47)
  • Song of Assaf (I Chronicles 16:8–36)

The following sections discuss the layout and formatting of each of these songs in detail.

Haman's Sons (Esther)

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The list of Haman's sons in a standard Scroll of Esther.

Esther 9:7–9 lists Haman's ten sons in three consecutive verses (three names in 7, three in 8, and four in 9). Each name is preceded by the Hebrew particle ואת. The {SONG} format for this list is as follows:

  • The last word of verse 9:6 (איש) is purposely planned to be the first word in a new line (at the right margin). This word will begin the first line of text in {SONG} format.
  • The first word of 9:7 (the Hebrew particle ואת) is written at the end of the first line in at the left margin. A large gap is thus left between איש and ואת, which forms a closed parashah division {S}.
  • In the next ten lines of text, the ten names of the sons of Haman appear one after another in the beginning of each line at the right margin, beneath the word איש, while the word ואת appears at the end of each line text (left margin) until the final line. The 11th and final line of text ends with the first word of 9:10 (עשרת).
  • There are thus a total of eleven lines of text in {SONG} format, each with a single word at the beginning of the line and a single word at the end. The first (right) column begins with the word איש and the names of Haman's 10 sons follow beneath it. The second (left) column has the word ואת ten times, and in the final row it has the first word of 9:10 (עשרת).

The {SONG} format described here originated in the typically narrow columns of the Tiberian Masoretic codices, in which a line of text containing only two words at opposite margins with a gap between them appears similar to a standard closed parashah. However, in many later scrolls the columns are much wider, such that lines with single words at opposite margins create a huge gap in the middle. In many scrolls these eleven lines are written in very large letters so that they form one full column of text in the megillah.

See also

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References

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Literature cited

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Books and articles cited in the references to this article:

  • Finfer, Pesah. Masoret HaTorah VehaNevi'im. Vilna, 1906 (Hebrew). Online text: High-resolution color scan at the Russian State Library; Internet Archive, DjVu at Wikimedia Commons, PDF at HebrewBooks.org
  • Ganzfried, Shlomo. Keset HaSofer. Ungvár (Uzhhorod), 1835 (Hebrew). Online text (PDF)
  • Goshen-Gottstein, Moshe. "The Authenticity of the Aleppo Codex." Textus 1 (1960):17-58.
  • Goshen-Gottstein, Moshe. "A Recovered Part of the Aleppo Codex." Textus 5 (1966):53-59.
  • Levy, B. Barry. Fixing God's Torah: The Accuracy of the Hebrew Bible text in Jewish Law. Oxford University Press, 2001.
  • Ofer, Yosef. "M. D. Cassuto's Notes on the Aleppo Codex." Sefunot 19 (1989):277-344 (Hebrew). Online text (PDF)
  • Ofer, Yosef. "The Aleppo Codex and the Bible of R. Shalom Shachna Yellin" in Rabbi Mordechai Breuer Festschrift: Collected Papers in Jewish Studies, ed. M. Bar-Asher, 1:295-353. Jerusalem, 1992 (Hebrew). Online text (PDF)
  • Penkower, Jordan S. "Maimonides and the Aleppo Codex." Textus 9 (1981):39-128.
  • Penkower, Jordan S. New Evidence for the Pentateuch Text in the Aleppo Codex. Bar-Ilan University Press: Ramat Gan, 1992 (Hebrew).
  • Yeivin, Israel. "The Division into Sections in the Book of Psalms." Textus 7 (1969):76-102.
  • Yeivin, Israel. Introduction to the Tiberian Masorah. Trans. and ed. E. J. Revell. Masoretic Studies 5. Missoula, Montana: Scholars Press, 1980.

Bible editions consulted (based on the Aleppo Codex):

  1. Mossad Harav Kuk: Jerusalem, 1977–1982. Mordechai Breuer, ed.
  2. Horev publishers: Jerusalem, 1996–98. Mordechai Breuer, ed.
  3. Jerusalem Crown: The Bible of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, 2000. Yosef Ofer, ed. (under the guidance of Mordechai Breuer).
  4. Jerusalem Simanim Institute (Feldheim Publishers), 2004.
  5. Mikraot Gedolot Haketer, Bar-Ilan University Press, 1992–present.
  6. Mechon Mamre, online version.

Bible editions consulted (based on the Leningrad Codex):

  1. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft: Stuttgart, 1984.
  2. Adi publishers. Tel Aviv, 1986. Aharon Dotan, ed.
  3. The JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh. Philadelphia, 1999.
  4. Biblia Hebraica Quinta: General Introduction and Megilloth. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2004 (BHQ).

Bible editions consulted (based on other traditions):

  1. Koren Publishers: Jerusalem, 1962.
[edit]
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from Grokipedia
A parashah (Hebrew: פָּרָשָׁה, plural parashiyot; pronounced [paʁaˈʃa]) is a section of a book of the or of another biblical book in the of the Tanakh. In common usage, it refers to one of the 54 weekly portions of the read aloud or chanted from a Torah scroll during services, enabling the Jewish community to complete an annual cycle of the entire Pentateuch. In Jewish tradition, the parashah serves as the central focus of morning prayers, where it is divided among congregants for public recitation in Hebrew, and is often studied with interpretive commentaries such as or . This practice extends to additional readings on Mondays, Thursdays, and holidays, reinforcing communal study and observance. Each parashah is named after its opening word or words, such as Bereshit for the portion beginning "In the beginning" in Genesis 1:1, and it typically spans several chapters to fit the yearly schedule, with shorter portions sometimes combined in non-leap years to align with the cycle. Historically, the term parashah originally denoted textual divisions within the scroll—either petuchah (open, starting on a new line) or setumah (closed, indented on the same line)—as prescribed in Jewish law for readability and liturgical purposes, though in modern , it interchangeably refers to the weekly reading alongside the term sidra. The annual cycle, which concludes and restarts on , emerged as the standard in Babylonian Jewish communities in the early 7th century CE, contrasting with the triennial systems practiced in Palestinian communities from the 6th century CE, and it underscores the parashah's role in fostering ongoing engagement across generations. Beyond , the parashah inspires diverse interpretations in , sermons (derashah), and contemporary study, linking ancient narratives to ethical, spiritual, and communal life in .

Overview and Purpose

Definition and Etymology

A parashah (Hebrew: פָּרָשָׁה, parashiyot) denotes a section or division of a biblical book within the of the Tanakh, the . The term derives from the triliteral root p-r-sh (פרש), signifying "to separate," "to divide," or "to explain" or expound, reflecting its function in delineating textual units for clarity and interpretation. Within Jewish textual tradition, parashah encompasses two primary scales of division: major parashot, which are the 54 weekly portions of the designated for reading over the annual cycle, and minor parashot, consisting of the finer Masoretic subdivisions known as petuchot (open sections) and setumot (closed sections). These minor divisions structure the continuous script of scrolls without chapter or verse markers, aiding in thematic and narrative segmentation. The features 290 petuchot and 379 setumot, totaling 669 divisions that provide a consistent framework primarily for the , with similar but varying divisions throughout the Tanakh. The typology of minor parashot differentiates petuchah (פְּתוּחָה, "open"), which begins on a fresh line following a full blank line to signal a major thematic break, from setumah (סְטוּמָה, "closed"), which employs a short space or indentation within the same line for subtler transitions. In Torah scrolls, for instance, a petuchah appears after Genesis 2:3, concluding the creation week and initiating the narrative, while a setumah follows Numbers 1:52, separating the details from subsequent instructions without a line break. These divisions underpin the liturgical practice of public , where portions align with weekly parashot.

Role in Study and

The parashah serves as the foundational unit in the weekly cycle, a central element of Jewish observed primarily on . This cycle, known as the shabbat parashah, divides the entire into 54 distinct portions, read sequentially to complete the full text over the course of one Jewish year, fostering a rhythmic engagement with sacred scripture that aligns with the calendar's festivals and observances. In synagogues worldwide, the reading of the parashah involves communal chanting by congregants, promoting collective participation and spiritual reflection. Complementing the Torah portion, the haftarah—a prophetic reading from the Books of the Prophets—is selected to echo the themes of the corresponding parashah, creating a layered interpretive that connects events, ethical lessons, or theological motifs across biblical texts. For instance, a parashah addressing redemption might pair with a haftarah prophesying future deliverance, reinforcing continuity between and in the liturgical service. This thematic linkage, established in rabbinic tradition, enriches the by broadening the scope of scriptural dialogue. Beyond , parashot enable systematic study of the Chumash, the Five Books of , by segmenting the text into digestible, thematically unified sections that suit both individual contemplation and group discussions. This structure supports in-depth analysis, allowing learners to explore moral, legal, and narrative elements without overwhelming continuity, and it forms the basis for weekly sessions in educational settings and homes. The parashah's role in study thus transforms the from a monolithic into an accessible resource for ongoing intellectual and spiritual growth. The parashah divisions have profoundly shaped Jewish exegetical traditions, particularly influencing medieval commentators who aligned their works with these portions to facilitate targeted interpretation. Rashi's comprehensive commentary, for example, follows the parashah sequence, offering pshat-based explanations verse by verse within each weekly unit, which has become a standard reference for aligning textual analysis with liturgical rhythms. This organizational influence extends to later scholars, ensuring that commentaries remain synchronized with the annual reading cycle and enhance its pedagogical value.

Historical Development

Origins in Ancient Texts

The origins of parashot-like divisions trace back to ancient scribal practices in biblical manuscripts, where scribes employed spacing to demarcate sense units for clarity and readability, predating the formalized Masoretic system. Evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the and dating primarily from the 3rd century BCE to the CE, reveals early instances of these proto-parashot breaks. For example, manuscripts such as 1QIsa^a (the Great ) feature open sections marked by spaces extending to the end of the line and closed sections indicated by mid-line gaps, often including additional breaks reflecting scribal interpretation of thematic units. Similarly, 4QGen^b divides Genesis 1 into open sections corresponding to each day of creation, while 4QpaleoExod^m uses closed sections in Exodus 6:27, demonstrating a widespread practice among scribes to segment texts into smaller, logical units that facilitated comprehension and recitation. These Hebrew sense divisions influenced contemporaneous Greek translations and early codices, adapting the practice to new scripts and formats. The , the Greek translation of the begun in the 3rd century BCE, and fragments like the Nahal Hever Greek Minor Prophets Scroll (8HevXIIgr, ca. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE), preserve sense divisions through spacing and line breaks that echo Hebrew petuḥot and setumot, aiding in the alignment of translation with source units. In early Christian codices such as (4th century CE), paragraph divisions are marked by ekthesis (protruding initial letters) and mid-line spacing for minor breaks, with fresh-line starts for major sections, mirroring Hebrew closed and open divisions in the portions; for instance, scribe A employs 1441 ektheses in Genesis through , often corresponding to thematic shifts in the text. These adaptations highlight how proto-parashot structures crossed linguistic boundaries, supporting consistent interpretation in multilingual Jewish and early Christian communities. In the context of oral transmission, these divisions played a crucial role in ancient Jewish practices, particularly in translations recited alongside Hebrew readings to aid non-Hebrew speakers and enhance memorization. By breaking texts into manageable sense units, scribes and reciters could synchronize oral interpretations with written forms, as seen in early targum traditions that followed Hebrew structures to preserve narrative flow during synagogue delivery and private study. This segmentation was essential for the fidelity of transmission, where divisions served as mnemonic anchors, allowing communities to recall and expound upon scriptural sections accurately amid the predominantly oral culture of . Pre-Tannaitic scribes, active during the Second Temple period (ca. BCE to CE), are credited with hypothetically standardizing these breaks, drawing from earlier Mesopotamian and Egyptian influences on textual layout to impose clarity on unvocalized Hebrew scripts. Working in temple and sectarian settings like , these anonymous figures varied in their application—some adding more divisions than others based on interpretive needs—but collectively established a proto-system that emphasized logical and poetic units, laying the groundwork for later refinements in Masoretic codices.

Masoretic Codification and Standardization

The , Jewish scribes and scholars active primarily between the 7th and 10th centuries CE in centers like , undertook the systematic codification of the Hebrew Bible's textual traditions to preserve its accuracy amid communities. Their efforts extended to formalizing the parashot divisions in the , distinguishing between open sections (petuchot), marked by a new line beginning after a blank space, and closed sections (setumot), indicated by a short gap within the line. This standardization ensured consistent liturgical reading and interpretive breaks without altering the consonantal text. The Tiberian school, dominant in this period, refined these markings through competing family traditions, notably those of Moshe ben Asher and his son , whose systems emphasized precise vocalization, accentuation, and sectional boundaries to reflect ancient oral practices. Key exemplars of this codification are the , completed around 930 CE under Aaron ben Moses ben Asher's authority in , and the , produced in 1008 CE by scribe Samuel ben Jacob following the Ben Asher tradition. The , written on parchment with full Masoretic annotations, establishes authoritative placements for petuchot and setumot across the , serving as a benchmark for over 295 surviving folios despite partial damage in 1947. Similarly, the , the oldest complete Masoretic manuscript, mirrors these divisions and forms the basis for modern critical editions like the . These codices resolved earlier variants in sectional breaks, promoting uniformity in sacred scrolls and study texts. In the , (Rambam) addressed lingering discrepancies in parashah counts—ranging from 153 to 167 in Talmudic sources—while basing his own enumeration of 155 Torah sections on the Aleppo Codex's arrangement, as detailed in his (Hilchot Sefer Torah 8:1–4). He emphasized adherence to these Masoretic divisions for scrolls to maintain halakhic integrity. This medieval consolidation paved the way for broader standardization; Daniel Bomberg's 1517 Rabbinic Bible, printed in under Jewish editorial oversight, incorporated the Ben Asher codices' divisions, resolving textual variants and influencing all subsequent printings through its widespread adoption.

Division Types and Formatting

Open and Closed Parashot

In the of the , parashot are divided into two primary types: open parashot, known as petuchah (פתוחה), and closed parashot, known as setumah (סתומה). A petuchah is marked by a full line break, where the preceding line is left blank to its end, and the subsequent text begins flush with the left margin on a new line; this format signifies a major thematic or narrative shift in the content. In contrast, a setumah involves a partial space—typically equivalent to about nine letters—inserted within the same line, with the next section resuming indented in the middle of that line or the following one, indicating a minor break or subunit within a broader topic. These divisions are annotated in Masoretic manuscripts with the symbols פ for petuchah and ס for setumah, placed in the margins to guide scribes. The placement of petuchah and setumah follows rules outlined in the Masorah parva, the marginal notes compiled by the Masoretes, which emphasize logical content divisions rather than fixed word or verse counts. For instance, a petuchah is used when a new major idea or episode requires a clear separation, while a setumah suits continuations or subordinate clauses that maintain thematic continuity. These guidelines, rooted in ancient scribal traditions and codified by figures like Maimonides, ensure uniformity across sacred scrolls, prohibiting the conversion of one type to the other without textual justification, as noted in the Babylonian Talmud (Shabbat 103b). In the Torah alone, there are 290 petuchot and 379 setumot, totaling 669 minor sections, though the full Tanakh extends these divisions across its books. The primary purposes of open and closed parashot are to enhance textual readability in the unvocalized, continuous script of Hebrew scrolls and to support the oral recitation tradition. By providing visual cues for pauses, they facilitate proper cantillation through the ta'amim (accentual signs), helping readers maintain the rhythm and intonation of liturgical chanting. Additionally, these breaks preserve the interpretive structure of the text, signaling for study and reflection, as emphasized in Masoretic efforts to safeguard the Bible's transmitted form. These divisions were standardized during the Masoretic codification period between the 7th and 10th centuries CE.

Spacing Techniques and Visual Layouts

In traditional Torah scrolls, known as sefer Torah, the distinction between open parashot (petuchot) and closed parashot (setumot) is visually implemented through specific spacing techniques to denote textual divisions without any written markers. A petuchah is marked by completing the preceding text in the middle of a line and leaving the remainder of that line blank, effectively creating a full line break before commencing the new section on the following line, which provides a clear visual separation akin to a blank line. In contrast, a setumah involves finishing the prior text at the end of a line and inserting a space equivalent to approximately nine letters' width on the same line before starting the subsequent section, maintaining continuity while signaling a pause. These measurements ensure uniformity across scrolls, though slight variations exist between Ashkenazi and Sephardi traditions, with the nine-letter space serving as a standardized gap to prevent ambiguity in reading. Torah scrolls are formatted in a columnar layout, typically featuring between 200 and 300 vertical columns of text, each containing around 42 lines of evenly spaced script on sheets sewn together. Parashah divisions are meticulously planned by scribes to avoid crossing column boundaries; breaks occur either within a column or precisely at the end of one column and the start of the next, preserving the integrity of each section and facilitating smooth ritual reading. This arrangement reflects halakhic requirements for legible and sacred presentation, where columns are justified from right to left, and the overall scroll length—often exceeding 50 meters—accommodates the full without compromising the spacing conventions. Medieval codices adapted these scroll-based techniques for book formats, introducing subtle visual cues to indicate parashot amid denser page layouts. In the (c. 930 CE), divisions are primarily shown through enlarged blank spaces or short line breaks between sections, emphasizing whitespace for clarity in the Tiberian Masoretic tradition. The (c. 1008 CE), however, employs a mix of blank lines and marginal symbols (such as פ for petuchot and ס for setumot) to denote divisions, particularly where space constraints limit full gaps, allowing for more compact yet precise navigation. These variations highlight regional scribal practices while adhering to the underlying Masoretic framework. The evolution to printed chumashim in the integrated parashah divisions with the Christian-originated chapter and verse numbering system, introduced in the , to enhance accessibility for study. In contemporary editions, petuchot and setumot are rendered as indented spaces or wider gaps between verses, often aligned with superscript verse numbers for cross-referencing, while weekly parashah headings appear prominently at the top of pages. This layout, seen in standard publications like those from or Koren, balances traditional spacing with navigational aids, ensuring parashot remain visually distinct without altering the original textual flow.

Special Textual Arrangements

Poetic and Stichic Formats

In the , the poetic books of , Proverbs, and Job employ a stichic layout that arranges the text into distinct lines known as stichs, with each poetic line typically presented as a separate unit to highlight the structure of . Parashot breaks in these books occur at the ends of hemistichs (half-lines) or stanzas, using spacing and disjunctive accents to delineate sense units rather than the broader open (petuchot) or closed (setumot) divisions common in sections. This format, evident in , visually segments the text into short verses averaging 7.7 to 7.9 words, facilitating the recognition of parallelism and rhythmic patterns essential to poetic composition. Proverbs applies this stichic approach by prioritizing sense-unit divisions that override the standard petuchot and setumot, allowing breaks to align with thematic or proverbial couplets and triplets for interpretive clarity. Such divisions emphasize the book's structure, where spacing marks natural pauses in antithetical or synthetic parallelism, distinct from the continuous flow of narrative prose. The features a particularly distinctive , with wider margins in Masoretic manuscripts to accommodate its dense and provide visual emphasis on the stressed, emotive lines. Across its chapters, Job's is divided into approximately 1,637 stichs, reflecting a deliberate stichic progression that underscores the work's dramatic intensity. The text switches between and accent systems at key transitions, such as Job 3:2 and 42:7, to mirror shifts in and content. This specialized treatment stems from the Masoretic rationale to differentiate from , preserving the meter, parallelism, and oral traditions through tailored layouts and the unique "ṭeʿamim of the Three" accent system. By employing stichic arrangements, the ensured that the aesthetic and exegetical nuances of these books—such as rhythmic balance and stanzaic flow—remained intact for study and liturgical use.

Unique Layouts for Songs and Lists

In the Masoretic tradition, certain parashot containing songs and lists feature distinctive visual arrangements that depart from conventional prose formatting, serving to accentuate their literary form, thematic depth, and ritual recitation. These layouts, prescribed in scribal rules such as those in Tractate Soferim, employ spacing, staggering, and columnar structures to create symbolic or mnemonic effects, distinguishing them from the stichic arrangements used for broader poetic passages. The (Exodus 15:1–18) exemplifies this through its brickwork layout, resembling half a brick over a whole brick, where odd lines extend fully across the column and even lines are indented with blank spaces, evoking the image of stacked bricks or undulating waves to represent the miraculous parting of the . This symmetric pattern, absent in earlier manuscripts like the Dead Sea Scrolls, became standardized in medieval scrolls to visually isolate the poem and facilitate its liturgical chanting. Acrostics in the utilize an alphabetic layout as a unique parashah structure, with verses grouped into stanzas corresponding to the 22 letters of the , creating a progressive visual progression from to tav that underscores the totality of Jerusalem's destruction. In chapters 1, 2, and 4, each of the 22 verses begins with the next letter; chapter 3 expands this into a triple with three verses per letter across 66 lines; and chapter 5 echoes the 22-verse form without strict acrostic adherence. These divisions align parashot boundaries with the alphabetic units in Masoretic codices, enhancing and interpretive emphasis on lament's structured despair. Lists, such as the ten sons of in 9:7–10, are formatted in a columnar arrangement within the Megillah, typically spanning two vertical columns side by side in a single text block, with enlarged letters to compress the names and evoke the imagery of their collective . This horizontal columnar design, dividing the 10 names across 11 lines (including the introductory verse), conserves space while symbolically linking the sons' fates, a convention rooted in Talmudic scribal guidelines and observed consistently in medieval Esther scrolls. The blessings and curses in Deuteronomy 28 incorporate parashah breaks that separate the contrasting covenantal elements, as marked in Masoretic codices like the , highlighting the binary choice between obedience and disobedience.

Halakhic and Ritual Aspects

Requirements for Sacred Scrolls

In Jewish law, the requirements for parashot in sacred Torah scrolls emphasize precise adherence to traditional divisions to maintain ritual validity. Maimonides, in his Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Sefer Torah 8:1-5), rules that petuchot (open sections) must begin at the start of a line after leaving an appropriate empty space—equivalent to nine letters if the prior section ends mid-line, or one full line if it ends at the line's end—while setumot (closed sections) must begin mid-line after a similar space. These divisions, derived from the Aleppo Codex, total 290 petuchot and 379 setumot across the Torah, distributed as follows: Genesis (43 petuchot, 48 setumot), Exodus (69 petuchot, 95 setumot), Leviticus (52 petuchot, 46 setumot), Numbers (92 petuchot, 66 setumot), and Deuteronomy (34 petuchot, 124 setumot). Disqualifications arise from any deviation in these breaks, as specifies that omitting a required petuchah or setumah, or incorrectly formatting one as the other, renders the scroll invalid for public reading, necessitating the removal of the entire affected column without repair. The (Yoreh De'ah 275:1-3) reinforces this, mandating that scrolls lacking exact parashah placements are pasul (invalid), a ruling echoed in later authorities like the Arukh HaShulchan (Yoreh De'ah 275), which stresses fidelity to ' counts and forms to avoid invalidation. Scribal precision is paramount, with soferim (trained scribes) required to use a kulmus ( from feather or reed) and gallnut-based applied to kosher , ensuring no erasures or alterations in parashah spaces to preserve the text's sanctity. During production, empty spaces for breaks must remain pristine, as any ink smudge or correction there constitutes a defect. Inspection by expert soferim involves line-by-line verification against exemplars like the , confirming alignment with ' standardized placements before certifying the scroll as kosher.

Customs in Synagogue Readings

In synagogue services, the parashah is recited publicly according to established that emphasize communal participation and ritual precision. On mornings, the weekly parashah is divided into seven aliyot, with each portion read by a different congregant called to the scroll, followed by a maftir aliyah that concludes the reading and introduces the haftarah from the Prophets. These divisions align with the parashah boundaries to ensure the entire weekly portion is covered systematically. Before each aliyah, the reader recites a blessing praising God for commanding the study of , and after the reading, a concluding blessing expresses gratitude for the mitzvah of Torah recitation, thereby framing each segment within the parashah's structure. These blessings are recited standing near the scroll, which must meet ritual standards for sacred texts. Variations in reading cycles exist across Jewish communities: the predominant annual cycle completes the entire over one year, with one parashah per week, while some congregations, particularly in Conservative and traditions, follow a triennial cycle that divides each parashah into three parts read over successive Shabbatot. On fast days such as , special parashot are read, including selections from Leviticus describing the High Priest's atonement service during the morning and afternoon services, adapting the weekly format to the day's themes of . The recitation incorporates cantillation marks known as ta'amim, which provide melodic notations that delineate the parashah's divisions and guide the chanting to convey the text's meaning and rhythm during readings. These marks ensure that the respects the parashah's structural pauses, enhancing the auditory experience of the service.

Applications in the Torah

The Torah contains 669 minor parashiyot in total according to (Hilchot Sefer Torah 8:10), comprising 290 petuchot and 379 setumot, with slight variations across Masoretic manuscripts such as the Leningrad and Aleppo Codices. These divisions structure the text for study, recitation, and liturgical use, marking thematic and narrative transitions. The following subsections detail their application in each book, alongside the 54 weekly parashot.

Genesis

The contains 12 weekly parashot, the larger liturgical divisions of the read sequentially in synagogues over the annual cycle. These portions encompass the , patriarchal narratives, and foundational stories of the Israelite people, beginning with Bereshit (Genesis 1:1–6:8), which covers creation and early humanity, and concluding with Vayechi (Genesis 47:28–50:26), detailing Jacob's death and Joseph's legacy. The sequence includes Noach (6:9–11:32), (12:1–17:27), Vayera (18:1–22:24), Chayei Sarah (23:1–25:18), Toledot (25:19–28:9), Vayetzei (28:10–32:3), (32:4–36:43), (37:1–40:23), Miketz (41:1–44:17), and Vayigash (44:18–47:27). In addition to these weekly units, the of Genesis features 91 minor parashot, comprising 43 petuchot (open sections, marked by a new line with blank space above) and 48 setumot (closed sections, indented with a small gap within the line). These divisions, preserved in medieval codices like the , structure the text for study and recitation, emphasizing narrative breaks and thematic transitions. For instance, a petuchah opens at Genesis 1:1, initiating the creation account as a major thematic unit. Similarly, a setumah appears at 2:4, separating the cosmic creation from the genealogical and Edenic narratives that follow. The placement of these parashot often aligns with key covenantal and genealogical motifs central to Genesis's structure. Petuchot and setumot frequently mark shifts to covenant events, such as the post-flood renewal with in the Noach portion (Genesis 9:1–17), where a setumah precedes covenant, underscoring divine amid human failure. Likewise, divisions highlight Abraham's covenants, with a petuchah at 12:1 launching his call and journey, and further breaks around 15:1–21 and 17:1 emphasizing the land and pacts, framing patriarchal as a progression from universal to particular divine commitments. These alignments facilitate interpretive focus on themes of origins, , and blessing.

Exodus

The Book of contains 11 weekly parashot, which form the standard divisions for readings and cover the narrative of Israel's enslavement in , , the journey to Sinai, and the establishment of the covenant and . These parashot are: Shemot (Exodus 1:1–6:1), Va'era (6:2–9:35), Bo (10:1–13:16), (13:17–17:16), (18:1–20:23), (21:1–24:18), Terumah (25:1–27:19), Tetzaveh (27:20–30:10), Ki Tisa (30:11–34:35), Vayakhel (35:1–38:20), and Pekudei (38:21–40:38). In addition to these larger sections, Exodus features 69 petuchot (open parashot) and 95 setumot (closed parashot), resulting in a total of 164 minor parashiyot that structure the text according to Masoretic tradition. These divisions facilitate liturgical recitation and emphasize and legal transitions, with petuchot typically marking major thematic shifts through full line breaks and setumot providing subtler pauses via indentation. A notable example of a petuchah occurs at Exodus 12:1, where the institution of and the sanctification of the new month signal a pivotal redemptive moment, separating the plagues from the liberation preparations. In contrast, setumot appear frequently within the detailed instructions spanning chapters 25–31, such as after Exodus 25:9, delineating specific elements like the ark and table to aid in precise halakhic interpretation and construction guidance. The parashiyot in Exodus often align thematically with theophanies and covenantal events, underscoring divine encounters; for instance, a petuchah at Exodus 19:1 introduces the arrival at Sinai, leading into the of the Ten Commandments and emphasizing the book's focus on redemption and lawgiving.

Leviticus

The , known in Hebrew as Vayikra, is divided into 10 weekly parashiyot (singular: parashah), which form the core of its liturgical reading cycle in Jewish tradition. These portions cover the priestly rituals, laws of purity, and ethical imperatives central to the book's focus on holiness. The parashiyot are: Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1–5:26), addressing sacrificial procedures; Tzav (6:1–8:36), detailing priestly duties and ; Shemini (9:1–11:47), encompassing the Tabernacle's consecration and dietary laws; Tazria (12:1–13:59), on postpartum impurity and skin diseases; Metzora (14:1–15:33), concerning purification from afflictions and bodily discharges; (16:1–18:30), including rites and prohibitions on illicit relations; (19:1–20:27), presenting the Holiness Code's ethical and ritual commands; (21:1–24:23), regulating priestly conduct and festivals; (25:1–26:2), on and years; and Bechukotai (26:3–27:34), with blessings, curses, and vow dedications. In non-leap years or certain regional customs, such as in , shorter portions like Tazria-Metzora, Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, and Behar-Bechukotai are combined to fit the annual cycle. Beyond these weekly divisions, Leviticus features finer textual breaks known as parashiyot petuchot (open sections, marked by a new line starting at the margin) and parashiyot setumot (closed sections, indented within the line), totaling 98 such minor parashiyot: 52 petuchot and 46 setumot. These Masoretic divisions, dating to at least the CE, structure the scroll's visual layout to highlight thematic shifts in ritual law. For instance, a prominent petuchah opens at Leviticus 1:1 with "The Lord called to ," initiating the detailed exposition of sacrificial offerings and underscoring the divine origin of the priestly code. A notable point of interpretive variation occurs in Leviticus 7, where (Rambam) in his (Hilchot Sefer Torah 8:4) provides an ambiguous ruling on section placement for the phrase "The Lord spoke to Moses, saying," appearing at both 7:22 (prohibiting fat and blood in offerings) and 7:28 (concluding peace offering instructions). This has led to differing scribal practices: some manuscripts insert a setumah at 7:22, others at 7:28, reflecting ongoing halakhic debate on precise breaks while maintaining scroll validity. Thematically, these parashah divisions in Leviticus align closely with the book's ritual structures, segmenting content by sacrificial categories in chapters 1–7 (e.g., burnt, , , , and guilt offerings, each warranting distinct sections) before transitioning to purity laws in chapters 11–15 (covering clean/unclean animals, , and emissions). Later portions integrate (chapter 16), sexual and ethical holiness (17–20), priestly sanctity and calendrical observances (21–23), land-based mitzvot (24–25), and conditional covenants (26), with the minor petuchot and setumot often marking shifts between specific impurity sources or offering subtypes to aid ritual comprehension and liturgical recitation. Such alignments emphasize the priestly source's (P) emphasis on separation and sanctity, distinguishing Leviticus's divisions from narrative-focused breaks in other books.

Numbers

The Book of (Bemidbar) contains 10 weekly , which form part of the annual cycle in synagogues. These portions, read sequentially during the summer months in the Jewish calendar, include Bemidbar (Numbers 1:1–4:20), Naso (4:21–7:89), (8:1–12:16), (13:1–15:41), Korach (16:1–18:32), Chukat (19:1–22:1), (22:2–25:9), Pinchas (25:10–30:1), Matot (30:2–32:42), and Masei (33:1–36:13). In terms of minor divisions in the of scrolls, Numbers features 92 petuchot (open sections, where a new begins at the start of a line after a blank line) and 66 setumot (closed sections, indented within a line), resulting in a total of 158 parashiyot. These divisions structure the narrative around the ' wilderness journey, emphasizing census-taking, organization of tribes, and preparations for entering the . A prominent example is the petuchah at Numbers 1:1, which opens the book with God's command to to conduct the first in the wilderness of Sinai, setting the stage for tribal arrangements and military readiness. In the Balaam oracles (Numbers 22–24), setumot delineate the individual prophecies, such as the division after 's first oracle (Numbers 24:1), highlighting shifts in the non-Israelite seer's visions of . The Balaam passages also incorporate special stichic layouts for poetic elements, as noted in scroll conventions. Thematically, these parashiyot align with key narrative breaks, such as those following major rebellions (e.g., the spy incident in or Korach's uprising) or significant encampments (e.g., at Sinai or the ), underscoring the book's motifs of wandering, divine judgment, and communal organization during the 40-year desert sojourn.

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the , is structured around ' farewell discourses to the on the , emphasizing covenant renewal and ethical exhortation as they prepare to enter the . The book is divided into 11 weekly parashot, which facilitate its systematic study and liturgical reading: Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22), Va'etchanan (3:23–7:11), Eikev (7:12–11:25), (11:26–16:17), Shoftim (16:18–21:9), Ki Tetzei (21:10–25:19), (26:1–29:8), Nitzavim (29:9–30:20), Vayelech (31:1–30), Ha'azinu (32:1–52), and Vezot HaBerachah (33:1–34:12). These portions highlight the recapitulative nature of Deuteronomy, reviewing historical events and legal principles from earlier books while adapting them to the new generation's context. Beyond the weekly divisions, the delineates finer parashiyot through petuchot (open sections, beginning a new line with a ) and setumot (closed sections, beginning after a short indent on the same line). These minor breaks serve to parse the text's rhetorical flow, often signaling shifts in , legal exposition, or thematic emphasis within ' speeches. For instance, a prominent petuchah opens at Deuteronomy 1:1, introducing the core of ' initial address recounting the journey and divine faithfulness. Key examples illustrate how these divisions underscore Deuteronomy's structural dynamics. In chapters 27–28, a setumah appears amid the alternating blessings and curses, separating the pronouncement of curses on (Deuteronomy 27:14–26) from the ensuing blessings for obedience (28:1–14), thereby heightening the covenantal contrast between fidelity and . Similarly, setumot within the legal codes, such as those outlining judicial procedures or agricultural tithes, create pauses that mirror the instructional rhythm of earlier Sinai legislation. Thematically, Deuteronomy's parashiyot align with expansions on Sinai's foundational laws, transforming narrative recaps into hortatory applications for communal life in Canaan. This mirroring—evident in portions like Shoftim, which elaborates on governance and justice—reinforces the book's role as a "second law" (mishneh torah), urging internalization of covenant obligations through structured discourse. Petuchot frequently mark major transitions, such as the shift from historical review to ethical imperatives, while setumot facilitate detailed breakdowns of rituals or warnings, ensuring the text's accessibility for teaching and reflection.

Applications in the Prophets

Joshua and Judges

The Book of Joshua features petuchot and setumot in the Masoretic Text, delineating the narrative of conquest and settlement in the Promised Land. These divisions structure the text to emphasize major transitions, such as the dramatic fall of Jericho in chapter 6, marked by a petuchah that separates the miraculous victory from subsequent campaigns, highlighting divine intervention in the Israelites' entry into Canaan. Further key breaks occur in chapters 13–19, where multiple setumot and petuchot segment the detailed allotments of land to the tribes, reflecting the fulfillment of territorial promises and the establishment of tribal identities within the covenant framework. In the , the Masoretic divisions organize the cyclical accounts of , oppression, and deliverance under various leaders. These parashot frequently align with the rise and fall of individual judges, for instance, grouping the of Deborah's spanning chapters 4–5 into distinct sections that underscore the recurring of Israel's moral and political instability. The divisions facilitate a rhythmic structure that mirrors the book's thematic emphasis on transitions and the consequences of covenant infidelity during the early settlement period. Across both books, parashot serve to highlight shared themes of covenant renewal following conquest and initial settlement, as seen in exhortations to faithfulness that echo earlier land promises in the Torah. This structuring aids in liturgical and interpretive traditions by isolating moments of recommitment to God's law amid tribal disunity.

Samuel and Kings

The Books of Samuel contain petuchot and setumot in the Masoretic tradition, structuring the narrative of Israel's shift from tribal leadership to monarchy through the stories of Saul, David, and their successors. These divisions align with key transitions in royal history, such as a petuchah at 1 Samuel 10:16 marking the anointing of Saul as king and the onset of prophetic involvement in the monarchy. Another significant break occurs around David's rise to prominence, with parashot emphasizing his anointing in 1 Samuel 16 and subsequent ascent, highlighting divine selection over human choice in leadership. In the Books of Kings, petuchot and setumot delineate the reigns of the united and divided kingdoms, from Solomon to the exiles. Major divisions include a petuchah following the temple dedication in 1 Kings 8, underscoring the pinnacle of royal achievement and covenantal centrality. Parashot also mark the exilic endpoints in 2 Kings 25, framing the collapse of the monarchy as a theological culmination. Thematic alignments appear in divisions at prophetic interventions, such as those involving Elijah, where petuchot signal confrontations between prophets and kings that critique royal failings and affirm divine sovereignty. These masoretic markers in Samuel and Kings thus facilitate a conceptual reading of royal history as intertwined with prophetic guidance and divine judgment.

Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel

In the , the Masoretic tradition delineates petuchot (open sections) and setumot (closed sections), reflecting a structure that accommodates the book's extended oracles and visions. These divisions frequently align with thematic shifts in the prophetic material, such as the openings of the , which commence new parashot at Isaiah 42:1, 49:1, 50:4, and 52:13, highlighting the servant's role in themes of , restoration, and . This arrangement allows for the sustained development of prophetic imagery, with parashot often spanning multiple verses to preserve the flow of divine messages addressed to and the nations. [The servant songs divisions based on standard Masoretic pointing in critical editions like BHS, cross-referenced with Oesch's analysis.] The exhibits a similar with petuchot and setumot, emphasizing the prophet's confrontational oracles and calls for . Parashot breaks occur at pivotal moments, including the temple sermon in chapter 7, where a new section begins at verse 1 to underscore the critique of false security in the , and the announcement of the in chapter 31:31, marking a shift to promises of inner renewal. These divisions support the book's of judgment and hope, with longer parashot enabling the elaboration of Jeremiah's laments and divine responses amid historical crises. Ezekiel's structure includes petuchot and setumot, tailored to the prophet's visionary and symbolic prophecies during the . Notable parashot demarcations frame the extended temple vision in chapters 40–48, beginning a major open section at 40:1 to encompass the detailed measurements and restoration motifs that conclude the book. This organization facilitates the integration of Ezekiel's dramatic visions, such as the and dry bones, within broader units that maintain thematic coherence. Across , , and , a common feature is the use of longer parashot to accommodate sustained prophecies and visions, distinguishing these major prophetic books from the more concise oracles in the minor prophets. This approach in the Masoretic divisions prioritizes the integrity of extended discourses, aiding in the textual transmission and interpretation of oracles that blend , , and eschatological hope.

Twelve Minor Prophets

The Book of the , spanning to , contains petuchot (open sections) and setumot (closed sections) in the Masoretic tradition of the , reflecting a compact system of divisions suited to the brevity of these texts. These markers delineate thematic and narrative units, often aligning with shifts in prophetic oracles, judgments, and calls to , in contrast to the more expansive structures found in the . The divisions facilitate a unified reading of the collection, emphasizing interconnected messages of divine amid Israel's unfaithfulness. In traditional Jewish scribal practice, the are treated as a single , with minimal spacing—typically three or four blank lines—separating the individual books in codices like the Leningrad and , preserving their cohesion as a collective prophetic witness. This unified format underscores the thematic continuity across the books, where parashot often link sequential prophets through shared motifs, such as the critiques in (e.g., petucha at 2:6 marking exploitation oracles) connecting to Hosea's familial metaphors of covenant betrayal. Such alignments highlight broader prophetic themes like and restoration, without rigid separations that might fragment the corpus. Key examples illustrate the precision of these divisions. In Hosea, the adultery metaphor portraying Israel's infidelity (chapters 1–3) features strategic breaks, such as a setuma after 2:8 to conclude the imagery of barrenness and judgment, allowing the subsequent petucha at 2:9 to pivot toward promises of renewal and emphasizing the metaphor's symbolic weight. Similarly, in Jonah, narrative parashot mark pivotal plot turns: a petucha at 1:1 initiates the prophet's reluctant mission, while another at 3:1 signals the renewed divine command after the fish episode, structuring the book as a cohesive tale of mercy and obedience. These breaks prioritize narrative flow over verse counts, enhancing readability in oral recitation. A in some ancient codices, including fragments from and the Nahal Hever scroll, is the absence of internal divisions between the books themselves, treating the Twelve as an undifferentiated prophetic sequence to stress their collective authority and prevent selective reading. This approach contrasts with modern chapter-verse systems and reinforces the Masoretic intent for holistic interpretation.

Applications in the Writings

Poetic Books: Psalms, Proverbs, Job

The parashah divisions in the of the —Psalms, Proverbs, and Job—reflect the unique stichic (line-based) formatting of these texts, where petuchot (open sections) and setumot (closed sections) mark breaks that respect , thematic shifts, and structural integrity rather than -like narrative flow. Unlike the Torah's divisions, these markers often align with natural poetic units, such as strophes or collections, to aid and interpretation in liturgical and scholarly contexts. This adaptation underscores the Masoretic scribes' effort to preserve the oral-performative nature of poetry while providing visual cues for segmentation in manuscripts. Counts of divisions vary slightly across codices like the Leningrad and . In , the divisions primarily delineate individual psalms as discrete parashot to emphasize their independent liturgical use. For instance, forms a single parashah, its six verses unified without internal breaks to maintain the shepherd imagery's cohesive flow. These markers frequently occur at psalm boundaries, with occasional internal setumot highlighting sub-units like refrains or laments, facilitating antiphonal reading in temple worship. The stichic layout, with lines arranged by meter and parallelism, integrates these divisions seamlessly, often leaving space for breath pauses at petuchot. Proverbs is structured around its major proverb collections to distinguish instructional blocks. The initial section (chapters 1–9), comprising extended poems on , features broader petuchot at thematic transitions, such as the shift from s to admonitions. Subsequent collections (chapters 10–22, 25–29, and 30–31) use setumot to separate individual sayings, reflecting the book's anthological nature while preserving poetic couplets in stichic form. This division system highlights the text's didactic purpose, allowing readers to isolate aphorisms for and ethical reflection. The aligns closely with its dramatic dialogues and speeches to underscore rhetorical turns and philosophical exchanges. Petuchot often introduce major speeches, such as Job's opening (chapter 3) or the friends' cycles, creating open breaks for dramatic emphasis. Setumot delineate responses within dialogues, like Bildad's retorts, maintaining the stichic poetic intensity amid frames. This supports the book's exploration of , with divisions enhancing the interplay between , , and divine response. Across these poetic books, the emphasis on stichic lines illustrates how parashah markers enhance readability and interpretive depth in , distinct from the prose-oriented divisions elsewhere in the Tanakh.

Five Megillot: Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther

The , or Five Scrolls, are a collection of short books in the section of the , each associated with specific and read liturgically during those observances. These books—, Ruth, Lamentations, , and —feature parashot divisions that reflect their poetic, narrative, or structures, aiding in public reading and interpretation. The divisions, consisting of petuchot (open sections with a full line break) and setumot (closed sections with indentation), are part of the Masoretic tradition and vary slightly across codices but follow established patterns for festival recitations. In , read on to symbolize the love between and , the text is divided with breaks often occurring at shifts in dialogue between the lovers, emphasizing the poetic exchanges and dramatic structure. These divisions highlight the book's lyrical nature, separating stanzas that alternate between the female and male voices or descriptive passages, facilitating its chanting during the holiday service. The , recited on to underscore themes of loyalty and redemption linked to the harvest and the giving of the , aligns its parashot closely with the narrative's chapter endings, marking key plot turns such as Naomi's return, Ruth's gleaning, and the resolution at the threshing floor, which supports its role as a story of conversion and ancestry in the liturgical cycle. Lamentations, known as Eicha and read on Tisha B'Av to commemorate the destruction of the Temples, features divisions that are aligned with its acrostic form, where sections correspond to the Hebrew alphabet from aleph to tav across the first four chapters. This structure reinforces the lament's rhythmic mourning, with divisions separating verses or stanzas to mirror the progression from individual to communal grief during the fast day observance. Ecclesiastes, or Kohelet, is chanted on Sukkot to reflect on the transience of life amid the festival's joy, with divisions at natural breaks in the philosophical sayings and proverbs. These sections isolate reflective units, such as the famous "time for everything" passage, allowing for meditative reading that contrasts vanity with divine fear in the holiday context. The , central to celebrations of survival, includes a special columnar list for the names of Haman's ten sons in chapter 9, formatted vertically to symbolize their . The divisions follow the narrative's dramatic arcs, from the king's banquet to the ' victory, enabling the boisterous, interactive reading tradition where the congregation responds to Haman's name. These parashot not only guide the readings but also preserve the texts' interpretive layers, tying the Megillot's themes to seasonal and historical remembrances in Jewish practice.

Historical Books: Daniel, Ezra–Nehemiah, Chronicles

The historical books of the Writings—Daniel, Ezra–Nehemiah, and Chronicles—feature parashot divisions that reflect themes of , restoration, and covenantal continuity, with petuchot (open sections) and setumot (closed sections) marking shifts in narrative focus on divine sovereignty amid foreign domination and return to the land. These divisions, rooted in the Masoretic tradition, emphasize structural breaks that highlight theological motifs such as in , temple reconstruction, and the enduring Davidic legacy, distinguishing them from the more prophetic applications in earlier biblical histories. Minor variations exist between codices like Leningrad and Aleppo. In the , the Masoretic parashot include notable breaks occurring at the onset of major visions in chapters 7–12, delineating the transition from court tales (chapters 1–6) to apocalyptic revelations that underscore God's ultimate control over empires. These divisions facilitate a , centering on the "Son of Man" vision in chapter 7, and align with the book's dual-language composition (Hebrew and ), where petuchot often signal new visionary units to emphasize eschatological hope during Babylonian and Persian exile. Ezra–Nehemiah, treated as a unified composition in the , places divisions strategically at key imperial decrees (e.g., Cyrus's in Ezra 1) and stages of temple rebuilding (e.g., Ezra 3 and Nehemiah 8), highlighting the post-exilic restoration of worship and community. These markers underscore the interplay between Persian authorization and Jewish initiative, framing the narrative as a fulfillment of prophetic promises and reinforcing communal identity through genealogical lists and covenant renewals. The Books of Chronicles exhibit an extensive parashot system across 1 and 2 Chronicles, largely mirroring the divisions in –Kings while adapting them to foreground extensive genealogies (1 Chronicles 1–9) and temple-centric reforms under and . This structure emphasizes the and priestly roles, using setumot for detailed cultic instructions and petuchot for broader historical retrospectives, thereby presenting as temporary within a providential of worship restoration. Thematic alignments across these books prioritize the temple as a symbol of and the Davidic lineage as a thread of hope, with parashot divisions reinforcing how exilic disruptions give way to renewal, distinct from the festival-oriented brevity of the Five Megillot.

Variations Across Traditions

Ashkenazi and Sephardi Divisions

The Ashkenazi tradition of parashah divisions adheres closely to the as preserved in the , the oldest complete manuscript of the , dating to 1008 CE. This results in a standard annual cycle of 54 parashot for reading the over the year, with combinations such as Vayakhel and Pekudei in non-leap years to align with the calendar. The Sephardi tradition primarily follows the divisions codified by in his (Hilchot Sefer Torah). While the 54-parashah annual cycle is now standard among Sephardim, historical sources occasionally reflect traces of an older triennial reading cycle, though these are not practiced today. Differences between the two traditions occur in minor section breaks, where the placement or type of petuchah (open paragraph) or setumah (closed paragraph) varies slightly, influencing the layout of Torah scrolls. Both Ashkenazi and Sephardi communities mandate precise adherence to petuchot and setumot in scrolls for ritual validity, as these divisions are integral to the Masoretic tradition and affect the scroll's (fitness for use). However, Sephardi scrolls typically employ ' convention, where setumot begin mid-line and petuchot start at the line's beginning, while Ashkenazi scrolls often reverse this, starting petuchot mid-line per rulings like those of the Rosh (). Additionally, the associated haftarot (prophetic readings) show variants between the traditions, with Sephardim selecting shorter or alternative passages in several cases, such as a briefer reading for Parashat . These divergences reflect historical developments in scribal and liturgical traditions among Sephardim and Ashkenazim.

Yemenite and Other Customary Practices

The Yemenite Jewish tradition maintains a distinct approach to parashah divisions in the and Prophets, rooted in ancient Masoretic practices that predate many rabbinic standardizations. Their scrolls feature a unique open section (petuchah) at Leviticus 7:22, differing from the closed section (setumah) found in Ashkenazi and Sephardi scrolls, which reflects a conservative adherence to early scribal conventions. Additionally, Yemenite manuscripts of the Prophets include unique setumot, such as an extra break in , emphasizing textual flow based on early Tiberian Masorah influences associated with Saadia Gaon's exegetical work. Yemenites follow the standard annual cycle of 54 parashot, with combinations in non-leap years to align with the . Karaite communities employ non-rabbinic divisions of the , prioritizing the plain sense () of the text for breaks rather than traditional rabbinic interpretations. Rejecting the , Karaites divide the into smaller sections for a triennial reading cycle, with approximately 157 sedarim (portions) over three years, focusing on natural narrative or thematic pauses without the haftarot or fixed weekly parashot of rabbinic practice. This approach underscores their emphasis on direct scriptural meaning, often resulting in divisions that align more closely with linguistic and contextual cues in the Hebrew text. Other traditions, such as that of the Ethiopian , exhibit unique reading practices preserved in isolation from rabbinic centers, incorporating broader canonical elements and emphasizing communal . These practices maintain distinct variants from mainstream Masoretic norms. These customary practices play a role in preserving diverse Masoretic details within Jewish textual heritage.

Modern Interpretations and Uses

Educational and Digital Applications

In educational settings, particularly within and Jewish day schools, parashah-based form a core component of Judaic studies, fostering progressive engagement with the through structured lessons on themes, narratives, and commentaries. For instance, programs like the Parashat Hashavua curriculum at Yeshiva Sha'arei Zion emphasize preparation and deeper analysis of the parashah to enhance students' understanding of in . Similarly, the Jewish Community Project's guidelines outline a where students revisit parashot across grade levels, building skills in summarization and thematic exploration to connect ancient texts to contemporary life. Digital platforms have revolutionized parashah study by providing accessible, interactive tools for verse-by-verse analysis. The app and website offer a comprehensive library of Jewish texts, including weekly parashah companions that guide users through readings, questions, and commentaries in Hebrew and English, supporting both beginners and advanced learners. Mechon Mamre's online edition presents the full with clear delineations of the 54 parashiyot, enabling users to navigate and study portions aligned with the synagogue cycle, complete with English translations and audio options. For textual variants and comparisons, AI-enhanced tools facilitate precise scholarly engagement with parashot. AlHaTorah.org's Tanakh Lab employs algorithmic to compare selected parashah passages, highlighting linguistic similarities, differences, and shared phrases across biblical texts, which aids in identifying textual variants without manual effort. has integrated AI to enhance text searching and contextual insights within parashah studies, including AI-generated content on topic pages as of 2025. Accessibility features extend parashah learning to diverse audiences through multimedia formats. Numerous follow the weekly cycle, such as "Into the Verse" by Aleph Beta, which delivers narrative-driven explorations of each parashah, and "The Parsha Podcast with Yaakov Wolbe," offering hour-long thematic breakdowns to make study portable and engaging. Emerging , like TorahVR, simulate immersive Torah learning environments in classroom settings, integrating parashah discussions with 3D visualizations to enhance experiential understanding. Beyond Jewish communities, parashot inform non-Jewish academic via specialized software. Accordance Bible Software includes modules for parashah divisions and aliyot in its tools, allowing scholars to align analyses with traditional Jewish portioning for comparative research. Logos Bible Software similarly supports parashah-based reading plans and resources, such as integrated guides to the weekly portions, enabling global users in theological seminaries to incorporate these structures into broader scriptural studies.

Contemporary Scholarly Analysis

Contemporary scholarship on parashot has increasingly emphasized textual criticism and comparative analysis of ancient manuscripts to clarify ambiguities in division practices. Jordan Penkower's 1992 monograph, New Evidence for the Pentateuch Text in the Aleppo Codex, examines discrepancies between Maimonides' recorded parashah divisions in his Mishneh Torah and those preserved in the Aleppo Codex, attributing variations to differences in codex traditions and scribal conventions rather than errors in Maimonides' observations. Penkower demonstrates through collation of fragment witnesses and marginal notes that the Aleppo Codex's Pentateuch sections align closely with Tiberian Masoretic norms, resolving apparent inconsistencies by identifying deliberate spacing and punctuation variants that influenced later Yemenite and Sephardi scrolls. This work builds on his earlier 1982 article, which details Maimonides' halakhic rules for open and closed sections in Torah scrolls, showing how the Codex's layout supports these prescriptions despite minor divergences in placement. Digital has advanced parashah studies through comprehensive databases derived from key Masoretic manuscripts. The Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC), a digitized edition of the 1008–1009 CE Leningrad Codex maintained by the J. Alan Groves Center, facilitates quantitative analysis of parashah distributions across the entire Tanakh, enabling scholars to map patterns in open (petuchot) and closed (setumot) sections with morphological tagging. In the , projects utilizing the WLC have produced on division frequencies, highlighting rhythmic structures tied to cantillation and liturgical reading. These tools allow for computational cross-referencing with other codices, underscoring the 's role as a benchmark for evaluating division authenticity in printed editions like the . Ongoing debates center on the historical authenticity and standardization of parashot, with foundational analyses informing contemporary discussions. Israel Yeivin's 1980 Introduction to the Tiberian Masorah provides a systematic breakdown of the Masoretic framework, arguing that these divisions originated in practices but were refined by Tiberian scholars to reflect semantic and syntactic units. Yeivin contends that variations in early lists, such as those in the Sifrei , stem from interpretive flexibility in marking sense breaks, challenging claims of a singular ancient while affirming the Masoretic system's reliability for textual integrity. Post-2020 research integrates discoveries with advanced computational methods to assess Masoretic parashah validity. Studies on the , such as a 2021 analysis employing AI-based writer identification on the Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsa^a), use algorithms to identify transitions. More recent 2025 investigations combine AI paleography with to redetermine scroll chronologies, indicating that key biblical fragments date 50–100 years earlier than previously estimated, thereby strengthening the Masoretic tradition's claim to continuity while exposing regional variations in division practices. These findings underscore AI's role in resolving ambiguities in ancient manuscripts compared to the , without undermining the overall Masoretic framework.

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