Parashat Shmini / פָּרָשַׁת שְּׁמִינִי

Parashat Shmini is the 26th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Next read on / 25 Adar II 5787.

Torah Portion: Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Shemini (“Eighth”) opens with the consecration of the Tabernacle (portable sanctuary). Two of Aaron’s sons are consumed by a fire sent from God when they attempt to offer an “alien fire.” God describes the animals, birds, and fish that are permissible and prohibited for consumption, as well as some laws of ritual purity. [1]

Full Kriyah
    1. 1: 9:1-16 · 16 p’sukim
    2. 2: 9:17-23 · 7 p’sukim
    3. 3: 9:24-10:11 · 12 p’sukim
    4. 4: 10:12-15 · 4 p’sukim
    5. 5: 10:16-20 · 5 p’sukim
    6. 6: 11:1-32 · 32 p’sukim
    7. 7: 11:33-47 · 15 p’sukim
    8. maf: 11:45-47 · 3 p’sukim

N.B. special maftir in years 5784, 5787, 5790, 5793, 5795, 5798, 5801, 5803, 5806

Haftarah for Ashkenazim: II Samuel 6:1-7:17 · 40 p’sukim

Haftarah for Sephardim: II Samuel 6:1-19 · 19 p’sukim

N.B. special Haftarah in years 5784, 5787, 5789, 5790, 5792, 5793, 5795, 5796, 5798, 5799, 5801, 5802, 5803, 5806

Triennial Year 1
  1. 1: 9:1-6 · 6 p’sukim
  2. 2: 9:7-10 · 4 p’sukim
  3. 3: 9:11-16 · 6 p’sukim
  4. 4: 9:17-23 · 7 p’sukim
  5. 5: 9:24-10:3 · 4 p’sukim
  6. 6: 10:4-7 · 4 p’sukim
  7. 7: 10:8-11 · 4 p’sukim
  8. maf: 10:8-11 · 4 p’sukim

Alternate Haftarah: II Samuel 6:1-15 · 15 p’sukim

Triennial Year 2
  1. 1: 10:12-15 · 4 p’sukim
  2. 2: 10:16-20 · 5 p’sukim
  3. 3: 11:1-8 · 8 p’sukim
  4. 4: 11:9-12 · 4 p’sukim
  5. 5: 11:13-19 · 7 p’sukim
  6. 6: 11:20-28 · 9 p’sukim
  7. 7: 11:29-32 · 4 p’sukim
  8. maf*: Exodus 12:1-20 · 20 p’sukim
    *Shabbat HaChodesh

Haftarah*: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18 · 28 p’sukim
*Shabbat HaChodesh

Triennial Year 3
  1. 1: 11:1-8 · 8 p’sukim
  2. 2: 11:9-12 · 4 p’sukim
  3. 3: 11:13-19 · 7 p’sukim
  4. 4: 11:20-28 · 9 p’sukim
  5. 5: 11:29-32 · 4 p’sukim
  6. 6: 11:33-38 · 6 p’sukim
  7. 7: 11:39-47 · 9 p’sukim
  8. maf: 11:45-47 · 3 p’sukim

Alternate Haftarah: Hosea 9:1-9 · 9 p’sukim

Weekday for Shabbat afternoon, Monday & Thursday
  1. 1: 9:1-6 · 6 p’sukim
  2. 2: 9:7-10 · 4 p’sukim
  3. 3: 9:11-16 · 6 p’sukim

Commentary and Divrei Torah

Shmini: The JPS B’nai Mitzvah Torah Commentary by Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin (paid link)

Shmini: The JPS B’nai Mitzvah Torah Commentary (JPS Study Bible)

List of Dates

Parashat Shmini is read in the Diaspora on:

References

Parashat Shmini from Sefaria.org
Sefaria, Inc.
Shmini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47) and Haftarah (II Samuel 6:1-7:17): The JPS B’nai Mitzvah Torah Commentary (JPS Study Bible) (paid link)
Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin, Jewish Publication Society, 2017
The Chumash: The Stone Edition (Artscroll Series) (paid link)
Nosson Scherman, Mesorah Publications, 1993
A Complete Triennial System for Reading the Torah
Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly, 1988
Haftarot for a Triennial Cycle Torah Reading
Avram Israel Reisner, 2014

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