Being that we are about
to begin a new cycle of the Torah , I will take this opportunity to
review some of the relevant Halachos of being Ma'avir Sidra, and then
get to your specific question.
It is incumbent on
every Jewish male to read the portion of the week's Torah reading each
week. This is known as "Being Ma'avir Sidrah" (literally, "going over
the portion of the week").
The entire Parsha must be read twice and the Targum [Onkelos] must be read once.
The new week begins
on Sunday morning, and it must be finished before Krias Hatorah on
Shabbos of that week. (The Mishna Berura holds that one can begin
already reading the new Parsha after Krias Hatorah of Mincha on the last
Shabbos, and there is no need to wait until Sunday)
Some Poskim hold
that the best time to be Mekayem this Mitzvah is on Friday afternoon
after Chatzos (midday). Others disagree and hold that it is 100% Okay to
start on Sunday morning and do a little each day throughout the week.
There are a few methods mentioned by Halachic authorities as to the proper way to be Ma'avir Sidra:
a) To read the
entire Sidra of that week, from beginning to end twice and only then to
read the entire Targum [Onkelos] from the beginning of the Sidra until
the end.
b) To read a full
Parsha, or section (meaning from the beginning until you get to a "Pei"
or "Samech", and according to the Vilna Gaon if you do it in this way,
you stop there, even if it is middle of a Possuk) within the Sidra of
the week twice and then to read the Targum on the Pesukim you just read.
c) To read from The
beginning until Sheni twice then its Targum, continue from Sheni until
Shlishi twice, and then its Targum and so on. (See Derech Sicha from Rav
Chaim Kanievsky shlita page 2)
d) To read the first
Posuk twice and then its Targum, then the second Posuk twice and then
its Targum, and so on until you finish the entire Sidra.
All of the above
methods have acceptable sources in Halacha. There is a prevalent Minhag
(which the Vilna Gaon and others used to do) to read from the beginning
until Sheni on Sunday, from Sheni to Shlishi on Monday, and so on until
Friday. On Friday the Minhag is to do two portions (i.e. from Shishi
until the end). This Minhag is an easy way to be Ma'avir Sidra without
it being a daunting task to do in one sitting.
Besides for Chumash
and Targum, a G-d fearing Jew should learn the commentary of Rashi on
the entire Parsha. If one is not capable of doing this, he should try
and read the English (or any other language he is familiar with)
translation of the Parsha, so that he will understand what the week's
Parsha is about.
Since reading the
words of the Targum takes some getting used to, it is worthwhile to have
children (from about the age of 7) read a few Pesukim of Chumash and
Targum each week, so that when they reach Bar Mitzvah they will have an
easy time being Ma'avir Sidrah. Training them in this Mitzvah, like all
other Mitzvos, is part of every father's (and mother's) obligation of
Chinuch.
The ideal time to be
Ma'avir Parshas V'Zos Habracha is on Hashana Rabbah eve or on Shmini
Atzeres by day. (Mishna Berura Siman 285:18. See also Ben Ish Chai,
first year, Parashas V'Zos Habracha Siman 15 that L'chatchilah it should
be done on Hoshana rabbah and not on Shmini Atzeres.)
According to some Poskim it can be done on Simchas Torah eve as well. (Mishna Berura Siman 669:4)
If Parshas V'Zos
Habracha was done before Hashana Rabbah (even though it was already read
in Shul by Mincha on Shabbos Parashas Ha'azinu) the obligation was not
satisfied, according to many Poskim, and it must be redone in its proper
time. (See Shu"t Kaneh B'Shem from Rav Meir Bransdorfer Zatzal Siman
16.)
Parshas Bereishis can only be done after it was read B'Tzibbur on Simchas Torah.(ibid.)
Important Numbers
