Parashat
/pəˈrɑːʃɑːt/noun
The Hebrew construct form meaning “portion of,” used in English Jewish contexts before the name of a Torah reading.
Did you know?Parashat is not the standalone noun “Torah portion” but its Hebrew construct form, grammatically linking “portion” to the passage’s name—such as Parashat Noach, “the portion of Noah.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*p-r-š
“Reconstructed root associated with separating, distinguishing, or explaining; the exact prehistoric form is uncertain.”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
פָּרַשׁ (paraš)
“To separate, distinguish, explain, or interpret.”
Rabbinic Hebrew
Hebrew
פָּרָשָׁה (parashah)
“A section or division, especially a section of biblical text.”
Medieval Hebrew
Hebrew
פָּרָשַׁת (parašat)
“Construct form of parashah: “portion of” or “section of.””
Modern English
English
Parashat
“A Hebrew term retained in English Jewish writing before the name of a weekly Torah portion.”