All 54 weekly portions, from Bereshit to V'Zot HaBerachah: what each name means, its verses, a short summary and the places where the story can be visited today.
Credit: Merlin · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
A parasha (plural parashot), or weekly Torah portion, is one of the 54 sections of the Torah read in the synagogue, one each Sabbath, so that the five books are read in a year. The cycle starts again every autumn on Simchat Torah with Bereshit. Some weeks two portions are read together, and the calendar in Israel can be a week ahead of the diaspora.
Each weekly portion has its own entry here: the meaning of its name, its verses, a summary and, when the story takes place somewhere you can visit today, the page of that place and a button to add it to your tour. Genesis is the book with the most places; its stories are also told in the biblical origins, from Creation to Babel, then in the footsteps of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are found in the period of the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan.
📖 Verse numbering
References follow the Hebrew numbering. Some English Bibles, such as the King James Version, shift a few verses: the end of Vayetzei, Genesis 32:3 in Hebrew, is Genesis 32:2 in the KJV.
Bereshit means “In the beginning”
From the Creation to the death of Joseph: the Origins, then Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his sons. It is the book with the most places you can visit today.
“In the beginning” · Genesis 1:1–6:8
Creation in six days and the Sabbath, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, then the generations down to Noah.
Places to visit
Read on IsraBible
“Noah” · Genesis 6:9–11:32
The Flood and the ark, which comes to rest on the mountains of Ararat, the covenant of the rainbow, the Tower of Babel, then Terah, who leaves Ur with Abram for Haran.
Places to visit
Read on IsraBible
“Go forth” · Genesis 12:1–17:27
Abram sets out for Canaan: altars at Shechem and between Bethel and Ai, a journey to Egypt, the parting from Lot, the war of the kings, Melchizedek, then the covenant and the name Abraham.
Places to visit
ShechemShechem (Tel Balata) – Abraham's First Altar in Canaan
BethelBethel – Abraham's Altar Between Bethel and Ai
Ai — et-TellAi and et-Tell: Abraham, Joshua and archaeology
Negev and Beersheba wildernessBiblical Negev: Abraham, Hagar and Beersheba
MamreMamre near Hebron: Abraham and the three visitors
Sodom and GomorrahSodom and Gomorrah: the Cities of the Plain and the Valley of Siddim
Zoar — Ghor Safi regionZoar and Ghor Safi: Lot, Zoara and the Dead Sea
Dead SeaDead Sea: the biblical Salt Sea and places to visit
Tel DanTel Dan (Laish): On the Trail of Abraham's Pursuit
Ein GediEin Gedi, the oasis where David hid from Saul: reserve, synagogue and visiting
Mount MoriahMount Moriah: Abraham's Test, from the Biblical Story to the Temple MountRead on IsraBible
“He appeared” · Genesis 18:1–22:24
The three visitors at Mamre, the destruction of Sodom and the flight of Lot, Abraham at Gerar, the birth of Isaac, the well of Beersheba, then the binding on Mount Moriah.
Places to visit
MamreMamre near Hebron: Abraham and the three visitorsSodom and GomorrahSodom and Gomorrah: the Cities of the Plain and the Valley of Siddim
Lot’s CaveLot’s Cave in Jordan: sanctuary and visitor guideZoar — Ghor Safi regionZoar and Ghor Safi: Lot, Zoara and the Dead SeaDead SeaDead Sea: the biblical Salt Sea and places to visit
Gerar — Tel HarorGerar and Tel Haror: Abraham, Isaac and wells
BeershebaBeersheba: the Well of the Oath and Abraham's TamariskNegev and Beersheba wildernessBiblical Negev: Abraham, Hagar and BeershebaMount MoriahMount Moriah: Abraham's Test, from the Biblical Story to the Temple Mount
Mount Moriah — IsaacThe Binding of Isaac on Mount Moriah: the Silent Faith of the SonRead on IsraBible
“The life of Sarah” · Genesis 23:1–25:18
Death of Sarah and purchase of the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron, Abraham's servant finds Rebecca at the well, Isaac's marriage, then the death of Abraham, buried at Machpelah.
Places to visit
HebronTomb of the Patriarchs – HebronMount Moriah — IsaacThe Binding of Isaac on Mount Moriah: the Silent Faith of the SonRead on IsraBible
“Generations” · Genesis 25:19–28:9
Birth of Esau and Jacob, the birthright sold, Isaac at Gerar and his wells as far as Beersheba, then the blessing obtained by Jacob, who has to flee.
Places to visit
BeershebaBeersheba: the Well of the Oath and Abraham's TamariskGerar — Tel HarorGerar and Tel Haror: Abraham, Isaac and wellsRead on IsraBible
“He went out” · Genesis 28:10–32:3
Jacob leaves Beersheba, dreams of the ladder at Bethel, then works twenty years for Laban in Haran, marries Leah and Rachel, and heads back to Canaan.
Places to visit
Bethel — JacobBethel: Jacob's Dream Between Heaven and EarthBethelBethel – Abraham's Altar Between Bethel and AiBeershebaBeersheba: the Well of the Oath and Abraham's TamariskRead on IsraBible
“He sent” · Genesis 32:4–36:43
Jacob wrestles at Peniel and receives the name Israel, meets Esau again, Shechem and Dinah, the return to Bethel, the death of Rachel near Bethlehem and of Isaac at Hebron.
Places to visit
PenielPeniel: Jacob Wrestling with the AngelShechemShechem (Tel Balata) – Abraham's First Altar in CanaanBethel — JacobBethel: Jacob's Dream Between Heaven and Earth
BethlehemBethlehem, town of the Nativity: Bible, excavations and visitingRead on IsraBible
“He settled” · Genesis 37:1–40:23
Joseph's dreams, sent to his brothers at Shechem and sold at Dothan, the story of Judah and Tamar, Joseph in Potiphar's house and then in prison in Egypt.
Places to visit
DothanDothan: Joseph Sold by His BrothersShechemShechem (Tel Balata) – Abraham's First Altar in CanaanRead on IsraBible
“At the end of (two years)” · Genesis 41:1–44:17
Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams, becomes second in Egypt and prepares for the famine; his brothers come to buy grain without recognising him.
Read on IsraBible
“He drew near” · Genesis 44:18–47:27
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers; Jacob offers sacrifices at Beersheba before going down to Egypt, where the family settles in the land of Goshen.
Places to visit
Read on IsraBible
“He lived” · Genesis 47:28–50:26
Jacob blesses his sons and dies in Egypt; he is buried at Machpelah in Hebron. Joseph forgives his brothers and asks that his bones be carried up to Canaan.
Places to visit
HebronTomb of the Patriarchs – Hebron
Shechem — JoshuaShechem: Joshua Renews the CovenantDothanDothan: Joseph Sold by His BrothersRead on IsraBible
Shemot means “Names”
Slavery in Egypt, Moses, the Exodus, the giving of the Torah at Sinai and the building of the Tabernacle, the sanctuary of the desert.
“Names” · Exodus 1:1–6:1
The Hebrews enslaved in Egypt, the birth of Moses, his flight to Midian and Jethro, the burning bush at Horeb and the first meeting with Pharaoh.
Places to visit
Mount SinaiMount Sinai – Jebel Musa and Saint Catherine's Monastery
TimnaTimna Park: copper mines, the Temple of Hathor and the Exodus desertRead on IsraBible
“And I appeared” · Exodus 6:2–9:35
God renews his promise to Moses; Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh, then the first seven plagues of Egypt, from the Nile turned to blood to the hail.
Read on IsraBible
“Come” · Exodus 10:1–13:16
The last three plagues, the Passover lamb and the first Passover, the death of the firstborn and the departure from Egypt.
Read on IsraBible
“When he let go” · Exodus 13:17–17:16
Moses takes the bones of Joseph, the crossing of the Sea of Reeds and the Song of Moses, the bitter waters of Marah, manna and quails, water from the rock and the battle with Amalek at Rephidim.
Places to visit
Serabit el-KhadimSerabit el-Khadim: the Temple of Hathor and the origins of the alphabetShechem — JoshuaShechem: Joshua Renews the CovenantRead on IsraBible
“Jethro” · Exodus 18:1–20:23
Jethro advises Moses to appoint judges; the people camp before Sinai and God gives the Ten Commandments.
Places to visit
Read on IsraBible
“Laws” · Exodus 21:1–24:18
The civil and social laws that follow the Ten Commandments, the covenant sealed at the foot of Sinai, then Moses going up the mountain for forty days.
Places to visit
“Offering” · Exodus 25:1–27:19
The plans of the Tabernacle, the desert sanctuary: the Ark of the Covenant, the table, the menorah, the curtains and the altar.
Places to visit
TimnaTimna Park: copper mines, the Temple of Hathor and the Exodus desert
ShilohShiloh (Tel Shiloh): sanctuary of the Tent of Meeting“You shall command” · Exodus 27:20–30:10
The oil for the perpetual lamp, the high priest's garments, the consecration of Aaron and his sons, and the incense altar.
No place of its own: this portion is mostly laws and speeches.
“When you take (the count)” · Exodus 30:11–34:35
The half-shekel, the Sabbath, the golden calf at the foot of Sinai, the tablets broken and then given again, and the shining face of Moses.
Places to visit
“He assembled” · Exodus 35:1–38:20
Moses assembles the people, gifts pour in and the craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab make the Tabernacle and its furnishings.
Places to visit
“Accounts” · Exodus 38:21–40:38
The accounts of the metals, the priests' garments, then the Tabernacle is set up and the cloud of glory fills it.
Places to visit
TimnaTimna Park: copper mines, the Temple of Hathor and the Exodus desertShilohShiloh (Tel Shiloh): sanctuary of the Tent of MeetingVayikra means “And He called”
The laws of offerings, priests, purity and festivals. The whole book takes place at the foot of Sinai, around the Tent of Meeting, so it has no place of its own. To picture it, visit Mount Sinai, the Tabernacle reconstruction at Timna and Shiloh, where the Tent stood in Canaan.
To picture the book
“And He called” · Leviticus 1:1–5:26
God calls Moses from the Tent of Meeting: the different offerings, burnt offering, grain offering, peace offering and sin offerings.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“Command” · Leviticus 6:1–8:36
The rules of the offerings for the priests, the perpetual fire on the altar, then the seven days of consecration of Aaron and his sons.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“Eighth” · Leviticus 9:1–11:47
On the eighth day the service begins in the Tabernacle; the death of Nadab and Abihu, then the laws of clean and unclean animals.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“She conceives” · Leviticus 12:1–13:59
Purity after childbirth, then the laws of tzaraat, an affliction of the skin and of garments examined by the priest.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“The afflicted one” · Leviticus 14:1–15:33
The purification of the person afflicted with tzaraat, tzaraat of houses, then the laws of bodily purity.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“After the death” · Leviticus 16:1–18:30
The high priest's service on Yom Kippur and the scapegoat, the ban on blood, then the forbidden unions.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“Holy” · Leviticus 19:1–20:27
“You shall be holy”: honouring parents, the Sabbath, justice, honesty, and the commandment “Love your neighbour as yourself”.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“Speak” · Leviticus 21:1–24:23
The rules of holiness for the priests, then the calendar of festivals: Sabbath, Passover, the Omer, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“On the mountain” · Leviticus 25:1–26:2
Given “on Mount Sinai”: the sabbatical year for the land, the jubilee every fifty years and the redemption of land and people.
Places to visit
“In my statutes” · Leviticus 26:3–27:34
The blessings promised if the people follow the laws, the warnings if they do not, then vows and tithes.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
Bamidbar means “In the desert”
The censuses, then forty years on the move from Sinai to the plains of Moab: the spies, the revolts, the bronze serpent, Balaam and the list of the desert stations.
To picture the book
“In the desert” · Numbers 1:1–4:20
In the Sinai desert, the census of the tribes, the layout of the camp around the Tabernacle and the role of the Levites.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“Take a count” · Numbers 4:21–7:89
The duties of the Levites, the Nazirite vow, the priestly blessing (“The Lord bless you and keep you”) and the offerings of the tribal leaders.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“When you light” · Numbers 8:1–12:16
The menorah, the departure from Sinai following the cloud, the complaints of the people, the quails of Kibroth-hattaavah and Miriam struck at Hazeroth.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“Send for yourself” · Numbers 13:1–15:41
The twelve spies return from Canaan with a giant cluster of grapes; ten discourage the people, who are condemned to wander forty years. The portion ends with the tzitzit.
Read on IsraBible
“Korah” · Numbers 16:1–18:32
Korah's revolt against Moses and Aaron, Aaron's staff that blossoms, then the rights and duties of the priests and Levites.
Read on IsraBible
“The statute of” · Numbers 19:1–22:1
The red heifer, the death of Miriam at Kadesh, water from the rock, the death of Aaron on Mount Hor, the bronze serpent and the victories over Sihon and Og.
Places to visit
TimnaTimna Park: copper mines, the Temple of Hathor and the Exodus desert
Mount NeboMount Nebo – Moses' Last View of the Promised LandRead on IsraBible
“Balak” · Numbers 22:2–25:9
Balak, king of Moab, summons the seer Balaam to curse Israel; his donkey speaks and Balaam blesses instead. The sin of Baal-peor follows.
Read on IsraBible
“Phinehas” · Numbers 25:10–30:1
The zeal of Phinehas, a new census, the daughters of Zelophehad, Moses told to view the land from the Abarim mountains, Joshua chosen to succeed him, and the festival offerings.
Places to visit
“Tribes” · Numbers 30:2–32:42
Vows, the war against Midian, then Reuben, Gad and part of Manasseh settling east of the Jordan, where they rebuild towns such as Nebo.
Places to visit
“Journeys” · Numbers 33:1–36:13
The list of the desert stations, from Rameses to the plains of Moab, the borders of the land, the cities of refuge and the inheritance of the daughters of Zelophehad.
Places to visit
Devarim means “Words”
The last speeches of Moses on the plains of Moab, opposite Jericho: he recalls the journey, repeats the Law, then looks over the land from Mount Nebo, where he dies.
To picture the book
“Words” · Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22
Beyond the Jordan, Moses begins his speeches: he recalls the judges, the failure of the spies and the victories east of the Jordan.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“I pleaded” · Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11
Moses pleads to enter the land and must be content to see it from the top of Pisgah; he repeats the Ten Commandments and the “Shema Israel”.
Places to visit
“Because” · Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25
The promised blessings, the land “of wheat and barley, vines, figs and pomegranates”, the memory of the golden calf and the blessing after meals.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“See” · Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17
The blessing and the curse to be proclaimed on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, the single place of worship, the dietary laws and the three pilgrimage festivals.
Places to visit
Add this place to my tour →“Judges” · Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9
Judges, king, priests and prophets, the cities of refuge, the laws of war and the murder whose author is unknown.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“When you go out” · Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19
More than seventy commandments of daily life: lost property, the bird's nest, wages paid the same day, honest weights and the memory of Amalek.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“When you enter” · Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8
The first fruits brought to the sanctuary, the stones of the Law and the altar on Mount Ebal, the ceremony between Gerizim and Ebal, then the blessings and curses.
Places to visit
Add this place to my tour →“Standing” · Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20
The whole people stands before God for the covenant; the possibility of return, the Law “very near to you”, and the choice between life and death.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“He went” · Deuteronomy 31:1–30
At one hundred and twenty, Moses encourages Joshua, writes down the Law, orders it to be read before the people every seven years and hands the text to the Levites.
No place of its own: the places of the book, above, help to picture the story.
“Give ear” · Deuteronomy 32:1–52
The great Song of Moses, calling heaven and earth to witness, then the order to climb Mount Nebo and see the land of Canaan before he dies.
Places to visit
“And this is the blessing” · Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12
Moses blesses the tribes, climbs Mount Nebo, sees the land as far as Jericho, the city of palm trees, and dies. It is read on Simchat Torah.
Places to visit
Mount NeboMount Nebo – Moses' Last View of the Promised Land
JerichoJericho (Tell es-Sultan): the walls of JoshuaRead on IsraBible
Every place linked to a weekly portion, from Ararat to Sinai and from Mount Nebo to Hebron.
The cycle starts again every autumn on Simchat Torah with Bereshit, then follows the order of this page, one portion per Sabbath. Some weeks combine two, for example Vayakhel and Pekudei or Matot and Masei, and Israel can be a week ahead of the diaspora after a festival. Look up the name of the week in a Jewish calendar, then open its entry here to see its places.
Those of Genesis. Lech Lecha points to 11 pages of the site, from Shechem and Bethel to the Negev and the Dead Sea, and Vayera to 10, from Mamre to Beersheba and Mount Moriah. Leviticus, by contrast, has no place of its own: it all happens at the foot of Sinai.
Two days cover the essentials of the Patriarchs: the first in the south, at the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, Mamre and Tel Beersheba; the second in Jerusalem, at the Temple Mount, then Bethel and Shechem. Add a Dead Sea day trip and the area of Sodom. “Plan my tour” spreads the stops day by day and estimates the driving times.
All three are in Judea and Samaria: access is often supervised and conditions change over time. Check them before you go and prefer a guide or organised transport. Mount Nebo is in Jordan, Sinai in Egypt and Ararat in Turkey: visiting them means crossing a border.
Not all of them. Some rest on an ancient tradition, such as Mount Sinai at Jebel Musa or Mount Moriah at the Temple Mount; others on excavations, such as Tel Balata for Shechem. Each place page separates what the text says, what tradition reports and what archaeology shows.
IsraBible follows the Hebrew numbering used in the scrolls read in the synagogue. Several English Bibles, including the King James Version, shift a few passages by one or two verses: Vayetzei ends at Genesis 32:3 in Hebrew, which is 32:2 in the KJV. The text is the same; only the numbering differs.
