This section describes Moses receiving of the second tablets of the Ten Commandments and God revealing the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy.
[5] When any of the days of Chol HaMoed falls out on Shabbat, Exodus 33:12–34:26 is read.
When it occurs on a weekday, Deuteronomy 15:19–16:17 is read, which describes journeying to the Beit Hamikdash on the Shalosh Regalim and the counting of the Omer.
On the first day, which cannot occur on Shabbat, the story of the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, Exodus 19:1–20:23, is read.
The reading describes journeying to the Beit Hamikdash on the Shalosh Regalim and the counting of the Omer.
[20] The song praises God as the Giver of the Torah and Creator of the universe.
[23] The poem includes in its last line praise of Jonathon ben Uzziel, the translator of the Aramaic Targum of the Prophets,[24] Even after most communities had eliminated the Aramaic translation of the Torah reading, many communities preserved it specifically for the seventh day of Passover and the first day of Shavuot; many piyyutim were written to accompany the Targum on these special occasions.
On Shemini Atzeret, however, the reading is never abridged according to the Eastern Ashkenazic rite, but according to the Western Ashkenazic rite, the reading for Shemini Atzeret is also abridged on a weekday like the other two days, and would include only Deuteronomy 15:19–16:17.
During the Mincha service of Yom Kippur, the cantillation for the Torah reading is done in the "ordinary" mode that is used on weekdays and Shabbat during the year.
The reason given for this is by this time, the congregation is already anticipating a return to normal life.
[35] On Day One of Rosh Hashana, the reading is the story of the birth of Isaac, the exile of Hagar and Ishamel, and the saving of Ishmael Genesis 21:1–34.
[35] Some explain that the purpose of selecting this reading is to remind the Jewish people, who have just been forgiven for their sins, not to lose control and enter forbidden relationships.
However, Reform Judaism has also moved to this reading, putting it in the new "Mishkan HaNefesh" machzor.
Conservative Judaism also offers this alternative Torah reading in its machzor "Lev Shalem."
When Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbat, Numbers 28:9–15 is read as the Maftir.
The sixth day of Chanukah is always Rosh Chodesh for the month of Tevet.
Due to the mechanics of the Hebrew calendar, the month of Tevet often has a two-day Rosh Chodesh; in those years, the seventh day of Chanukah is the second day of Rosh Chodesh Tevet.
On the days of Chanukah that coincide with Rosh Chodesh or Shabbat, two Torah scrolls are used.
On those years when the sixth day (Rosh Chodesh) also falls out on Shabbat, three Torah scrolls are used.
The regular weekday Torah readings that occur on Monday and Thursday Shacharit services are 10 verses.
It is named for the contents of the maftir reading, which describes the census requiring every Israelite man to contribute a half shekel to support communal sacrifices in the Tabernacle and later at the Temple in Jerusalem.
It is also named for the maftir reading, which is an admonition to remember the nation of Amalek, who surprised the Israelites when they were wandering in the desert with a rear attack on the weakest and feeblest of the people.
It is also named for the maftir reading, which deals with the ceremony of the red heifer, whose ashes were combined with water to ritually purify anyone who had been in contact with a dead person.