Reading guide
Which books help you follow the weekly Torah portion?
Build a small library for reading the text, understanding context, and studying commentary.
A practical foundation combines a Chumash with translation, one accessible commentary, and, for family discussion, a resource offering a question or short teaching each week. The Torah is divided into 54 weekly portions, read on an annual cycle that begins and ends at Simchat Torah. Start with few resources and use them consistently.
Begin with the text
A readable, well-organized Chumash helps readers locate the portion and Haftarah without juggling many volumes.
Choose one main commentary
Select an approach suited to your level: plain meaning, traditional commentary, literary analysis, or ethical teaching.
Create a habit
Set a regular time, record one question, and stay with the same commentary before adding another.
Frequently asked questions
Must I read the whole portion every week?
You can begin with one passage and its context, then expand gradually.
Which commentary should come first?
Choose one whose language, level, and method bring you back to the biblical text.
Sources
This guide is informational. Practices vary among communities; questions of religious practice should be addressed to a qualified authority.