parashah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low frequencyFormal / Technical / Religious (Jewish)
Quick answer
What does “parashah” mean?
A section of the Torah (Hebrew Bible) read in the Jewish liturgy each week during synagogue services.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A section of the Torah (Hebrew Bible) read in the Jewish liturgy each week during synagogue services.
More broadly, the term can refer to any specific, designated reading portion of the Torah, often also called a sidra. It may also refer to a thematic subsection within a larger Torah portion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or pronunciation differences. The word is used identically in English-speaking Jewish communities worldwide.
Connotations
Used with the same religious and technical connotations in both regions.
Frequency
Usage is entirely confined to religious, academic, or Jewish cultural contexts in both the UK and US. Outside these contexts, the word is largely unknown.
Grammar
How to Use “parashah” in a Sentence
the [Genesis/Bereshit] parashahthe parashah for [this week/Pesach]to read/study the parashahVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, and Jewish studies departments to discuss the structure and content of the Torah.
Everyday
Only used in everyday conversation within Jewish communities, especially around Shabbat.
Technical
A precise liturgical term within Judaism for the division of the Pentateuch for public reading.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “parashah”
- Misspelling as 'parasha' (missing the final 'h').
- Using it as a general term for any Bible passage.
- Incorrect pronunciation with stress on the first syllable (/ˈpærəʃə/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common plurals are 'parashot' and 'parashiyot', both reflecting its Hebrew origin.
No, it is a specifically Jewish liturgical term. Christians would use terms like 'lectionary reading', 'scripture passage', or simply 'Bible reading'.
A parashah is a liturgical division for public reading, often spanning multiple or parts of multiple Biblical chapters. A chapter is a later editorial division for reference.
No. It is exclusively used for the Jewish Torah. Using it for other texts would be incorrect.
A section of the Torah (Hebrew Bible) read in the Jewish liturgy each week during synagogue services.
Parashah is usually formal / technical / religious (jewish) in register.
Parashah: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈrɑːʃə/, and in American English it is pronounced /pəˈrɑːʃə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to be] as long as this week's parashah (figurative, informal Yiddish-influenced English, meaning something is very lengthy)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a pair of shahs (kings) reading a portion of scripture together each week: PAIR-of-SHAHs -> parashah.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE TORAH IS A JOURNEY (parashot are the weekly stages/segments of that journey).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'parashah'?