The Triennial Cycle of the Torah Reading...

Kehilat Nitzan follows a triennial cycle for Torah Reading where only about a third of the Torah portion is read each year. This tradition has its origins in Palestine whereas the complete reading of the Torah followed an ancient Babylonian practice. The triennial cycle has been re-introduced in many Progressive and Conservative congregations.

Using the triennial cycle is somewhat confusing because the division of the reading into the various section for each Aliya (call-up) to the Torah is not indicated in Chumashim (Pentateuchs) which all follow the annual cycle.

The links at the bottom of this page list the triennial divisions of the Torah readings by each book of the Penteteuch (5 books of Moses) used by Kehilat Nitzan. These follow those provided by the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly of the American movement of Conservative Judaism.

People interested in the history of Torah reading are directed to the essay by Rabbi Lionel Moses in the Etz Hayim Torah & Commentary (page 1479).