What Is the “Parashat HaShavua”?

What Is the “Parashat HaShavua”? – A Friendly Introduction

If you’ve ever been curious about how Jews connect with their ancient scriptures today, one great example is Parashat HaShavua – which means “the weekly Torah portion.” It’s a rhythm that’s been part of Jewish life for thousands of years.

So what is it, exactly?

The Torah – the first five books of the Bible – is divided into 54 sections. Each week, Jews around the world read and study one of these portions. This weekly portion is called the parasha (or parashat haShavua, in Hebrew). The cycle begins anew each year in the fall, usually around September or October, after the holiday of Simchat Torah (“Rejoicing in the Torah”), when the reading starts again from the beginning.

The goal isn’t just to read the text but to engage with it. Every parasha includes stories, laws, and moral teachings – sometimes dramatic, sometimes challenging. Over generations, Jews have studied these texts closely, asking questions like: What does this story mean today? What can it teach us about justice, kindness, or responsibility?

In synagogues each Saturday (Shabbat), a section of the Torah is read out loud. But the weekly portion isn’t just for synagogue-goers. Many families, schools, and communities discuss it during the week. Some people read it at home, and others use it as a way to reflect or find guidance in their lives.

The tradition of reading the Torah weekly dates back to ancient times, over 2,000 years ago. It began as a way to make sure the whole Torah would be read regularly and remembered, especially when few people could read, and scrolls were rare and sacred.

Today, the parasha connects Jews everywhere – from Jerusalem to New York, from Reykjavík to Cape Town. Even if we’re reading the same text, each of us may discover something new.

In short, Parashat HaShavua is more than a reading plan! It’s a living conversation across time and place.