Parashah
/pəˈrɑːʃə/noun
A section of the Torah or other Hebrew biblical text assigned for reading, especially in synagogue worship.
Did you know?The Hebrew root of parashah also produced the name Pharisees—literally associated with people described as “separated” or set apart.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
פָּרָשָׁה (pārāšāh)
“A section, division, or distinct passage; derived from a root meaning to separate or distinguish.”
Second Temple Period
Hebrew
פָּרָשִׁים (pərūšīm)
““Separated ones,” a designation associated with the Pharisees and sharing the same Hebrew root.”
Rabbinic Hebrew
Hebrew
פָּרָשָׁה (parashah)
“A defined textual section, especially a portion of the Torah or another biblical book.”
Medieval Hebrew
Hebrew
פָּרָשָׁה
“A weekly Torah reading portion, or a textual division used in Jewish study and liturgy.”
Modern English
English
parashah
“An English loanword for a Torah portion, commonly used in Jewish studies and synagogue contexts.”