Parashat Lech Lecha (לך לך)

Lech Lecha recounts Abraham's journey to the Land of Israel at God's command, the war of the kings, the Covenant Between the Pieces, and the commandment of circumcision.

Torah reading: Genesis 12:1–17:27

Upcoming Reading Dates

ShabbatHebrew Date
Saturday, October 24, 202613 Cheshvan, 5787
Saturday, November 13, 202713 Cheshvan, 5788
Saturday, October 28, 20288 Cheshvan, 5789
Saturday, October 20, 202911 Cheshvan, 5790

About the Weekly Torah Reading

The Torah is divided into 54 portions (parshiyot) read publicly in synagogue on Shabbat, completing the entire Five Books of Moses every year. The annual cycle restarts on Simchat Torah, when the final portion, Vezot HaBerachah, is read and Parashat Bereshis begins immediately.

Because the Hebrew calendar varies in length from 50 to 55 weeks, some portions are read separately in longer years and combined in shorter years — for example Parashat Matos and Parashat Masei, or Parashat Nitzavim and Parashat Vayeilech. The dates above are calculated algorithmically from the Hebrew calendar using the PhpZmanim library.

See this week's Torah portion or browse the full upcoming schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Parashat Lech Lecha read?

Parashat Lech Lecha is read on Shabbat as part of the annual cycle of Torah readings. Its upcoming dates are listed in the table above — calculated from the Hebrew calendar, which determines how the 54 portions align with the Jewish year.

Where is Parashat Lech Lecha in the Torah?

Parashat Lech Lecha appears in the book of Genesis (Genesis 12:1–17:27). Each of the Five Books of Moses is divided into 54 weekly portions read over the course of the year.

Why is Parashat Lech Lecha sometimes read together with another portion?

In years that do not require an extra Shabbat — shorter Hebrew years, or years without a Shabbat falling inside a festival — two adjacent portions are combined into a single reading. In longer years they are read on separate weeks.

What is Parashat Lech Lecha about?

Lech Lecha recounts Abraham's journey to the Land of Israel at God's command, the war of the kings, the Covenant Between the Pieces, and the commandment of circumcision.