What is parashat hashavua chabad?

Parashat HaShavua — Chabad Perspective

The Parashat HaShavua (פָּרָשַׁת הַשָּׁבוּעַ, literally "the portion of the week") refers to the weekly Torah portion read publicly in synagogue each Shabbat, cycling through the entire Five Books of Moses over the course of a year. Chabad (the Lubavitch Hasidic movement) follows this same universal Jewish cycle but brings its own distinctive approach to studying and teaching the weekly portion — emphasizing Chassidic depth, the teachings of the Rebbes, and practical spiritual application.

Key Takeaways

The weekly Torah reading cycle (parasha) is a universal Jewish practice observed by all communities, including Chabad.
Chabad approaches the parasha through multiple layers — pshat (plain meaning), drash (homiletical), and especially sod (mystical/Chassidic teachings).
The Lubavitch Rebbes wrote and taught extensively on each parasha, and these teachings are a central part of Chabad Torah study.
Chabad follows the standard Ashkenazic Torah reading cycle, completing the Torah annually and restarting on Simchat Torah.
Studying the weekly parasha daily — a portion each day — is a strongly emphasized Chabad practice.

What Is the Weekly Parasha?

The practice of reading the Torah publicly in weekly portions is ancient, dating back at least to Ezra the Scribe. The entire Torah (Chamisha Chumshei Torah — the Five Books of Moses) is divided into 54 parashot (portions), read over the course of the year.

As noted in the retrieved sources, the public Torah reading is a deeply regulated institution:

"It is prohibited to publicly read the haftara...from a scroll containing only the haftarot...because the words of the Prophets must also be written as complete books." [Gittin 60a:4]

This shows how carefully the Sages structured public Torah and prophetic readings — the parasha system was treated with great legal seriousness.

Each week's Torah portion is accompanied by a haftara — a related passage from the Prophets — whose ancient origins are described in the sources:

"The institution of the haftara...is an ancient one, dating back at least 2,000 years." [I Believe; A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible, Tzav]

The Chabad Approach to Parashat HaShavua

1. Daily Portion Study

Chabad strongly encourages studying a daily portion of the weekly parasha. The week's Torah reading is divided across the days so that by Shabbat, one has reviewed the entire portion. This practice follows the Talmudic ruling to complete Shnayim Mikra V'Echad Targum — reading each verse twice in Hebrew and once in Aramaic translation (Targum Onkelos) [Berachot 8a-8b].

2. Multi-Layered Learning — PaRDeS

Chabad emphasizes studying the parasha on all four levels of Torah interpretation (PaRDeS):

Pshat — The plain, literal meaning (e.g., Rashi's commentary)
Remez — Allegorical meaning
Drash — Homiletical/Midrashic interpretation
Sod — Mystical/Kabbalistic meaning, especially as taught through Chassidut

As one retrieved source notes: "Learn parashat shavua in its entirety with Rashi, but pause at times on a single comment to explore it in depth." [Birkat Asher on Torah, Leviticus 6:2:18]

3. Chassidic Torah — Likkutei Torah and Torah Ohr

The Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad) composed two foundational works of Chassidic Torah commentary organized by the weekly parasha:

Torah Ohr — Covering Bereishit and Shemot
Likkutei Torah — Covering Vayikra, Bamidbar, Devarim, and the holidays

These works are considered essential Chabad Torah study and are studied in conjunction with the weekly parasha.

4. The Rebbe's Weekly Torah Discourses (Sichos and Ma'amarim)

The Lubavitcher Rebbe (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, 1902–1994) delivered thousands of sichos (talks) and ma'amarim (formal Chassidic discourses) organized around the weekly parasha. These are compiled in works such as Likkutei Sichot (39 volumes) and are studied weekly by Chabad communities worldwide.

5. Connection to Halacha and Daily Life

Chabad emphasizes that every parasha carries practical lessons. The Rebbe frequently drew connections between the weekly portion and timely real-world applications, making Torah relevant to modern Jewish life.

Special Shabbatot and the Parasha Cycle

During certain weeks, special additional Torah portions are read alongside the regular parasha (e.g., Parshat Zachor before Purim, Parshat Parah, etc.). The Talmud discusses how the cycle resumes after these special readings:

"Rabbi Ami said: One resumes the regular weekly order of Torah portions...Rabbi Yirmeya said: One resumes the regular weekly order of the haftarot." [Megillah 30b:2]

This is relevant to Chabad practice as well, which follows the accepted halachic ruling on these special Shabbatot. For example:

"On the second Shabbat [of the four special portions], two Torah scrolls are taken out — in one, the weekly portion is read, and in the second, Zachor is read...and the haftara is 'I have remembered what Amalek did.'" [Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 685:2]

Where to Find Chabad's Parashat HaShavua Resources

Chabad publishes extensive weekly parasha content at Chabad.org, including:

The full Hebrew/English text of the parasha
Rashi commentary
The Rebbe's Likkutei Sichot on that portion
Chassidus applied — practical Chassidic insights
Haftara text and commentary

For personal guidance on how to structure your weekly parasha study, consult your local rabbi or posek.