Chapter 78:3-4(a)
Torah Reading on Shabbos
3. On a Shabbos when two Sidrahs (weekly portions) are read (1), one Sidrah
should be completed and the other begun during the fourth Aliyah (2).
4(a). The curses contained in the weekly portions called "Bechukosai"
(Leviticus 26:14-43) and "Ki Savo" (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) should be read
without interruption (3) (that is, without an Aliyah in the middle). Also,
the Aliyah should begin at least one verse before the portion containing
the curses (4). Since it is desirable not to begin [an Aliyah] fewer than
three verses before the end of a paragraph (5), one should start at least
three verses before the curses (which begin a new paragraph). Similarly,
one should read until at least one verse after the conclusion of the curses
(6). Nevertheless, one should not conclude before reading three verses of
the new paragraph even in this situation (7). (See also Chapter 23, Laws
20-22, where these principles are discussed at length.)
In the Sidrah called "Ki Sissa", the entire story of the Golden Calf, until
the verse ending with the words "um'shorso Yehoshua... "(Exodus 33:11), is
read during the Levi's Aliyah. This is because none of the Levites
participated in making [or worshipping] the Golden Calf. It is customary to
read from: "Vayitein el Moshe k'chaloso..."(ibid., 31:18) until "Vay'chal
Moshe..." (32:11) (that is, the description of the event, and Hashem's
expression of anger) in a hushed tone. Afterwards, one should read [Moshe's
supplication] in a normal tone until "Vayifen vayered Moshe..." (32:15),
where one should again read [Moshe's response to the sin, followed by
Hashem's response] in a hushed tone until "U'Moshe yikach es ho'ohel..."
(33:7), where one resumes reading in a normal tone until the conclusion of
the Sidrah.
FOOTNOTES:
(1) Certain of the 54 weekly portions have to be combined on one Shabbos in
order to allow for the completion of the reading of the entire Torah within
one year of weekly public readings.
(2) So that each of the two combined Sidrahs is given an equal number of
Aliyahs, that is, three and a half each.
(3) Interrupting would make it appear as though we do not wish to accept
Divine admonition (Midrash Rabbah).
(4) One should always begin each Aliyah with a verse that describes
something good for the Jews (See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 23:22).
(5) The Midrash (brought by Rashi on Leviticus 1:1) informs us that when
Hashem was teaching the Torah to Moshe on Mt Sinai, Moshe was given a break
between each new concept, and even between each part of a particular
concept, to allow him to contemplate and absorb what he was being taught.
These breaks are represented graphically in the Torah scroll; those between
different concepts, are represented by a graphical break through the end of
the line, and are called "Pesucha," ("open"); those breaks between each new
idea within a concept consist of nine blank spaces in mid-line, and are
called "Sesuma" ("closed"). When I use the word "paragraph" in the text,
I'm referring to either Pesuchos or Sesumos (the correct Hebrew term for
both a Pesucha and a Sesuma, contrary to popular usage, is "Parasha,"
whereas the correct term for the entire weekly portion is "Sidrah").
If we were to allow the reader to stop reading less than three verses
before the end of a paragraph, those leaving the synagogue between Aliyahs
might think that the next Aliyah will consist of simply completing the one
or two verses left in the paragraph, and then mistakenly come to think that
it is permissible to read less than three verses for each Aliyah.
(6) One should always end an Aliyah with a verse describing something good
for the Jews.
(7) So that those just entering the synagogue at that point will not
mistakenly think that the person called up for the last Aliyah only read
the first one or two lines of the paragraph.
