Chapter 78:4(b)
Torah Reading on Shabbos
4(b). The verses describing the curses in the Sidrahs "Bechukosai" and "Ki
Savo" should also be read in a hushed tone. [In "Bechukosai",] the verse
beginning with the words "V'zocharti es brisi Yaakov..." ("I will remember
My covenant with Jacob...") (Leviticus 26:42), should be read in a normal
tone. The following verse beginning with "V'ho'oretz te'ozeiv...", should
be read in a hushed tone, but [the section beginning with] the verse
following that, "V'af gam zos...", until the conclusion of the reading,
should be read in a normal tone.
[In "Ki Savo", the phrase "l'yir'oh es Hashem hanichbad..." until the end
of the verse (Deuteronomy 28:58) should be read in a normal tone.
Afterwards, one should continue [the curses] in a hushed tone until the
verse beginning with "v'ein koneh..." (ibid.,28:68).
Similarly, it is customary to read the passage: "Vayehi ho'om k'mis'on'nim
(Numbers 11:1) until "V'hamon k'zera gad" (ibid.:7) in the Sidrah
"Beha'aloscho" in a hushed tone, to show our regret [over the sins committed].
All the passages read in a hushed tone should be read loud enough for the
congregation to hear. Otherwise, they do not fulfill their obligation to
hear the Torah reading.
One should not interrupt (with an Aliyah) the reading of the forty-two
encampments of the Jews (in the Sinai Desert) listed in the Sidrah "Masei"
(Numbers 33:1), for they correspond to Hashem's Name of forty-two letters.
