Reading Torah

Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: What is the meaning of this which is written: “And makes people as the fish of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them” (Habakkuk 1:14)? Why are people compared to the fish of the sea? This says: Just as when fish of the sea, arise on to dry land they die immediately; when people separate themselves from studying words of Torah and performing the mitzvot, they die immediately. Alternatively, just as with regard to the fish of the sea, once the sun is heated over them they die immediately, so too with regard to people, once the sun is heated over them they die immediately.

§ The Sages taught that Ezra the Scribe instituted ten ordinances: He instituted that communities read the Torah on Shabbat in the afternoon; and they also read the Torah on every Monday and Thursday;

The Gemara analyzes these ordinances, the first of which is that communities shall read the Torah on Shabbat afternoon. This Gemara explains that this ordinance was instituted due to those who sit idly on street corners, who do not attend the synagogue during the week.

The Gemara discusses the second of Ezra’s ordinances: And that they should read the Torah on every Monday and Thursday. The Gemara asks: Was it Ezra who institute this practice? It was instituted from the beginning, i.e., long before his time. As it is taught: “And Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water” (Exodus 15:22). Those who interpret verses metaphorically said that water here is referring to nothing other than Torah, as it is stated metaphorically, concerning those who desire wisdom: “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come for water” (Isaiah 55:1).

The Gemara answers: Initially they instituted that one person reads three verses; or alternatively, that three people read three verses. Either way, the number three corresponds to the three types of Jews: Cohanim, Levites, and Israelites. Ezra later came and instituted that three people always read.

The mishna records several laws governing public Torah readings. On Mondays and Thursdays during the morning service and on Shabbat during the afternoon service, three people read from the Torah; one may neither decrease the number of readers nor add to them. And one does not conclude with a reading from the Prophets [haftara] on these occasions.

The following are the days on which the Law is publicly read: Sabbaths, Festivals, the first day of each month, Fast-days, the Feast of Dedication, the Feast of Lots, the second and fifth day of the week. Lessons from the Prophets are only read on Sabbaths, Festivals and the ninth day of Ab.