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Browse Torah Articles: Sefer Vayiqra

There are 10 parshiyot in Sefer Vayiqra

Parashat Vayikrah - פרשת ויקרא - מאקאם ראשט

111 verses, with Haftara: Isiah 43:21-44:23

This parasha begins Sefer Torat Kohanim, which details all the workings of the Kohanim in the Bet Hamiqdash. Various sacrifices are described, when they are brought and how they are brought. These sacrifices include animal-offerings and meal-offerings.

Man to Man

Parashat Sav - פרשת צו - מאקאם ראהוו או נאווה

96 verses, with Haftara: Jerimiah 7:21-8:3

The Torah continues the discussion of various sacrifices brought to the Bet Hamiqdash. There are also descriptions of the clothing that the Kohanim wore, including the actual clothing of the high priest, the Kohen Gadol.

Parashat Shemini - פרשת שמיני - מאקאם חוסיני

91 verses, with Haftara: Samuel 2, 6:1-7:17

The parasha begins with sacrifices brought by Aharon to atone for the sin of the Golden Calf. Following this process, we read of the deaths of two of Aharon’s sons, Nadav and Avihou for improper conduct in the Mishkan. The parasha ends with descriptions of kosher and non-kosher animals. This parasha is the source in the Torah for these laws.

Parashat Tazria - פרשת תזריע - מאקאם צבא או ביאת

67 verses, with Haftara: Kings II 4:42-5:19

A short parasha, usually paired with parashat Mesora. Includes laws of the childbearer, circumcision, and the difficult laws of Saraat or leprosy. This was the disease, our Rabbis tell us, for those who spoke Lashon Hara. Leprosy could plague a person's home, clothing, or actual skin.

Parashat Mesora - פרשת מצרע - מאקאם נהוונד או שיגא

90 verses, with Haftara: Kings 2, 7:3-20

This parasha is a continuation of its sister parasha, Tazria. In Mesora, the Torah continues to provide details of laws of leprosy. Here we learn what one who finds leprosy growing on the walls of the house is to do. We also learn of the procedures of purification after the discovery of leprosy. The parasha ends with other forms of impure conditions that can occur to a man or woman.

Saraat

Parashat Ahareh Mot - פרשת אחרי מות - מאקאם חגאז

80 verses, with Haftara: Amos 9:7-15

This parasha is also read on Yom Hakipourim. The reason is simple. The parasha describes all the tasks that the Kohen Gadol undertakes on this holy day. As we learn in the gemara, on Yom Hakipourim, all tasks in the Miqdash must be performed by the high priest. The parasha ends with an extensive list of sexual misconduct that the Torah warns us about.

Parashat Qedoshim - פרשת קדושים - מאקאם צבא

64 verses, with Haftara: Ezekiel 20:1-20

This parasha contains a large array of laws that are connected to the Jewish nation being a holy and separate nation from other nations in the world. For example, warnings about taking revenge, getting a tatoo, or even giving one's child to idol worshippers. The parasha ends with the sexual misconduct brought in the prior parasha, but this time details the actual punishments for transgressing upon them.

Parashat Emor - פרשת אמור - מאקאם שיגא או חוסיני

124 verses, with Haftara: Ezekiel 44:15-31

This parasha begins with the prohibition for Kohanim to become impure from a deceased body, excluding that of the seven close relatives. The parasha then discusses various Kohanim who are not allowed to perform in the Miqdash due to disfigurement. The most famous part of parashat Emor is the next section which describes the holidays. Not surprisingly, we read this passage on the holidays themselves.

Parashat Behar - פרשת בהר סיני - מאקאם צבא או נאווה

57 verses, with Haftara: Jerimiah 32:6-27

A very short parasha, which is usually paired with Behouqotai. The parasha begins with the laws of shemitah, the seventh year in the crop cycle, where one is not permitted to work and harvest the land. Parasha also includes the Yovel, or 50th year in the cycle, which has various ramifications for farming and property sales in Israel.

Parashat Behouqotai - פרשת בחוקותי - מאקאם נהוונד

78 verses, with Haftara: Jerimiah 16:19-17:14

Similiar to parshiyot like Ki Tavo, Behouqotai informs us of the good that will flow to us if we follow the laws of the Torah. Conversely, the parasha also dicatates the bad that will come if we do not follow the laws of the Torah full heartedly. The parasha ends with laws of Temourah, exchanging the sanctity of one item for another.