Parashat Shmini / פָּרָשַׁת שְּׁמִינִי

Parashat Shmini is the 26th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Next read on / 28 Nisan 5785.

Torah Portion: Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Shemini (“Eighth”) opens with the consecration of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Two of Aaron’s sons are consumed by a fire sent from God when they attempt to offer a “strange 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 5782, 5784, 5787, 5790, 5793, 5795, 5798, 5801, 5803

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 5782, 5784, 5787, 5790, 5793, 5795, 5798, 5801, 5803

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 Israel 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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