The Portion is a new educational series that delves into the weekly Torah portion, which is read every Sabbath as part of the Saturday morning prayer service.
Each episode combines the narrative of the weekly portion with insights from renowned Judaic scholars, making The Portion accessible to those who are new to Torah study while still engaging even the most knowledgeable viewer.
Full episodes of The Portion are available every week on The Jewish Channel. Abbreviated webisodes are available online at tjctv.com/tjc-original-programming/the-portion/
Episode 04: Toldot. Rebecca and Isaac’s long struggle to conceive a child ends when Rebecca becomes pregnant with the twins Jacob and Esau. The rivalry that starts within the womb will culminate years later over a bowl of lentil soup… Featuring commentary from R’ Julie Schonfeld and R’ Tzvi Hersh Weinreb.
Episode 05: Vayetze. In the Torah portion of Vayetze, the rivalry between Jacob and Esau comes to a head, with Jacob and Rachel tricking Isaac into giving his younger son, Jacob, the birthright belonging to his older son, Esau. Featuring commentary from R’ Julie Schonfeld and R’ Tzvi Hersh Weinreb.
Episode 06: Vayishlach. The action-packed Torah portion of Vayishlach includes Jacob and Esau’s reunification; Jacob’s wrestling with the Angel; the Rape of Dinah; and the slaughter of Shechem. Featuring commentary from R’ Tzvi Hersh Weinreb and R’ Julie Schonfeld.
Episode 07: Vayeshev The portion of Vayeshev features the famous story of Joseph and the technicolor coat, and his older brothers’ selling him into slavery into Egypt. It’s sibling rivalry with far-reaching consequences for the future of the Jewish people. Featuring commentary by R’ Tzvi Hersh Weinreb and R’ Julie Schonfeld.
Episode 08: Miketz. In this portion, Joseph rises to power in Egypt, becoming the Viceroy, a position that leads to him reuniting with the brothers who sold him into slavery. Featuring commentary from Prof. Yitzhak Berger, R’ Julie Schonfeld, and R’ Tzvi Hersh Weinreb.
Episode 09: Vayigash. the saga of Joseph and his brothers continues, when Joseph, now the Viceroy of Egypt, reveals his true identity to the brothers who sold him into slavery years before. Featuring commentary by Wendy Amsellem and Prof. Yitzhak Berger.
Episode 10: Vayechi. Jacob bestows his final blessings upon his sons in this the final portion of the Book of Genesis, setting the tone for what will become the Twelve — or, as we learn, thirteen — Tribes of Israel. Featuring commentary by Prof. Yitzhak Berger and Wendy Amsellem.
Episode 12: Vaera. The Ten Plagues begin in the Torah portion of Vaera. Moses and his brother Aaron deliver God’s message to Pharaoh, asking for a three-day respite from slavery for the Israelites. But when Pharaoh denies the request, the plagues are unleashed. With R’ Shmuel Goldin and scholar Wendy Amsellem.
Episode 13: Bo. The Exodus story begins in the Torah portion of Bo. After Ten Plagues, three of which occur in this portion, Pharaoh is at last convinced to let the Jewish people go. Features insights from R’ Shmuel Goldin, author of “Unlocking the Torah Text.”
Episode 14: Beshalach. Miracles abound in the Torah portion of Beshalach, as the Jews finally escape from slavery in Egypt — with the Egyptians hot on their tails. This portion includes the Splitting of the Red Sea, the victory over Amalek and more! Featuring commentary from R’ Shmuel Goldin.