Bereishit: Creation in six days. The story of the Tree of Knowledge and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Cain slays Abel. Enumeration of the ten generations between Adam and Noah.

Noach (Noah): Noah and his family, along with at least one pair of each living species, survive the Flood by taking refuge in the Ark. The Tower of Babel incident causes the dispersal of all of Noah’s descendants. The birth of Abraham.    

Lech-Lecha:  Abraham and Sarah travel to Canaan. They descend to Egypt, where Pharaoh unsuccessfully attempts to add Sarah to his harem, and return to Canaan with great wealth. Abraham defeats the armies of the four kings, rescuing his nephew Lot who was taken hostage. G-d seals a pact with Abraham, wherein the lands of Canaan are bequeathed to Abraham’s descendents. Childless Abraham marries Hagar and giving birth to Ishmael. At the age of 99, Abraham is circumcised. 

Vayeira: Angels visit Abraham and Sarah, informing them that they would have a child. The angels whisk Lot out of Sodom, and overturn the entire region. Isaac is born, and Ishmael is expelled from Abraham’s household. The story of the “Binding of Isaac” -- Isaac’s “near-sacrifice” experience.   

Chayei Sarah: Sarah dies. The marriage of Isaac and Rebecca. Abraham dies. 

Toldot: Jacob and Esau are born. The story of Isaac’s wells. Rebecca and Jacob successfully deceive Isaac, causing that Jacob receive the blessings which Isaac intended to give to Esau.  

Vayetze: Jacob travels to Aram to his uncle Laban. During his twenty two year stay there he shepherds Laban’s livestock, marries Leah and Rachel, and the first eleven tribes are born.

Vayishlach: Jacob and his family returns to Canaan. He is fearful of his brother Esau, but they finally meet and make peace. Jacob’s daughter Dinah is abducted and raped by Shechem. Shimon and Levi destroy the city of Shechem and free Dinah. Rachel dies while giving birth to Jacob’s twelfth son, Benjamin. Isaac dies. 

Vayeishev: Joseph’s dreams, his brother's hatred toward him, and his sale into slavery. Joseph is incarcerated in Egypt and interprets the dreams of Pharaoh’s cup-bearer and baker. A chronicling of the events between Judah and Tamar. 
 
Mikeitz: Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams at the behest of the cup-bearer. Joseph becomes viceroy over Egypt and implements his plan to save Eqypt from famine. Joseph meets his brothers when they come to Egypt to buy food, and demand that Benjamin be brought to Egypt. When Benjamin eventually comes, he is framed, so that it seems that he is a thief.

Vayigash: After Joseph demands that Benjamin remain in Egypt as his slave, Judah pleads with Joseph to take him instead. Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers. At Joseph’s request, Jacob and his family come down to Egypt. 
     
Veyechi: Jacob blesses his own children and Joseph’s children. Jacob dies and a massive procession escorts him to his burial in Canaan. The book ends with Joseph's death.  

Shemot (Exodus)

Shemot:  The new Pharaoh issues harsh decrees against the Israelites, beginning decades of Jewish suffering and slavery. Moses is born and raised in the royal palace, from which he runs away after killing an Egyptian who was beating a Jew. He escapes to Midian, marries, and comes face-to-face with G-d (a.k.a. the burning bush), who demands that he return to Egypt as his messenger to redeem the Israelites. He goes back to Egypt with the intention of freeing the Jewish people.   

Va'era: Pharaoh refuses to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt, even after Aaron miraculously transforms his staff into a serpent. The first seven plagues ensue: Blood, Frogs, Lice, Wild Beasts, Pestilence, Boils, and Fiery Hail.  

Beshalach: The splitting of the Red Sea occurs after Pharaoh pursues the Israelites into the desert. Moses and the Israelites sing a special song, thanking G-d for this miracle. The Israelites complain about a lack of food and drink, so G-d sends Mannah and quail for them to eat, and Moses miraculously produces water from a rock. Amalek attacks the Israelites, and the Hebrews are victorious.

Yitro (Jethro): Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, arrives at the Israelite encampment. He dispenses valuable advice on how to improve their way of life. The Divine revelation at Mount Sinai, and the Ten Commandments are given to the Israelites.  

Mishpatim: This portion details many laws. Among them are laws related to slaves, personal injury, loans, usury, and property damage. The end of the portion speaks of the preparations the Israelites made before receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai.  

Terumah: G-d commands Moses concerning the building of the Tabernacle. He provides the exact details of how to construct it, and how to build the different instruments and vessels which were used therein.     

Tetzaveh: This portion contains a description of the vestments of the priests and high priests. G-d informs the Israelites the exact procedure of the seven-day inaugural process for the Tabernacle.   

Ki Tisa: This portion starts off discussing the census of the Israelis, the wash basin of the Tabernacle, the anointing oils for the priests and kings, the incense offering, and the Sabbath. The story of the Golden Calf, Moses successfully arguing for Divine forgiveness for the sin, the subsequent breaking of the tablets, and the giving of the second tablets.    

Vayakhel***: Moses relays to the Israelites all the details of the Tabernacle and its vessels. 

Pekudei:  Moses relays to the Israelites the details of the vestments of the priests and high priests. The Tabernacle is erected, and G-d's presence dwells therein. 

Vayikra (Leviticus) 

Vayikra: This portion depicts the different sacrifices – animal, fowl, and meal-offerings, offered by the Kohens in the Temple.    

Tzav: This portion continues describing the different sacrifices. This is followed by a description of the seven-day inaugural of the Tabernacle.

Shmini: G-d’s presence descends upon the Tabernacle on the eighth day of its inaugural. Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu die when offering an uncalled-for sacrifice. The laws of Kashrut, and some laws of ritual purity, are described.     

Tazria***: This portion discusses various forms of tzaraat, spiritual skin maladies, which one can get. Also discussed is garment discoloration which constitutes “clothing tzaraat.” 

Metzora: This portion discusses “house tzaraat” (indicated by certain discolorations of the bricks), and the tzaraat purification process. This is followed by a discussion of various ritual impurities, including the impurity of the menstruating woman.  

Acharei***: This portion begins with a detailed description of the service of the High Priest on Yom Kippur. Afterward, the Torah discusses the prohibitions against offering a sacrifice outside the Temple, consumption of blood, and incestuous, adulterous, and other forbidden relationships.

Kedoshim: This portion talks about dozens of commandments. Among them: different gifts for the poor, love for every Jew, prohibitions against sorcery, honesty in business dealings, and sexual morality.  

Emor: This portion discusses the laws of a kohen, and various laws which relate to animal sacrifices. This is followed by a lengthy discussion about the festivals. The portion ends with the story of a blasphemer who was put to death.   

Behar***: This portion speaks about the sabbatical and jubilee years, and the laws concerning redeeming slaves. 

Bechukotai: This portion deals with the rewards we reap for following G-d’s commandments and the series of punishments which will befall us if we choose to disobey G-d’s law. Afterward, the Torah discusses different types of gifts which must be given to the Temple, and the animal tithe.

Bamidbar: The Israelites and the Tribe of Levi are separately counted. G-d instructs the Israelites how they should camp in the desert, surrounding the Tabernacle. The Levites are instructed the order of the dismantling of the Tabernacle before traveling.        

Nasso: The portion begins with a continuation of the census of the Tribe of Levi. God teaches Moses the laws of the Sotah woman and the Nazirite. The portion concludes with the Priestly blessings and the offerings which each of the Tribal leaders brought to the Tabernacle inauguration. 

Beha’alotcha: G-d instructs Moses the order of the daily Menorah lighting in the Tabernacle. The Levites are initiated into Tabernacle service. The Second Passover is instituted at the request of some people who were impure during the First Passover. At G-d’s behest, Moses makes two trumpets. The Israelies finally leave Mount Sinai, heading for the Land of Canaan. The people unreasonably complain about the manna and receive meat, albeit with negative results. Moses appoints seventy elders who will assist him in bearing the burden of the people. Miriam speaks negatively about Moses and is punished with Tzaraat (a spiritual skin disease). 

Shelach: Moses sends twelve spies to Canaan, and only Joshua and Caleb bring back good reports. The people react negatively and G-d decrees a forty year delay until the Israelites would go to Canaan. During that time, all males between the ages of twenty and sixty would perish. Many Israelites attempt to “go it alone” to Canaan, but are cut down by the Canaanites. Various laws are discussed: libations, giving part of the dough to a Kohen (Challah), Tzitzit, and certain sin sacrifices. A Jew is found desecrating the Sabbath, and is executed.   

Korach: Korach rebels against Moses, coveting the position of High Priest. He and his entourage are swallowed up by the earth. The people protest, and a plague ensues. Aaron’s stick blossoms, proving that he is G-d’s chosen. The Israelites are instructed the various presents due to the priests and Levites. 

Chukat***: G-d instructs Moses the laws of the Red Heifer. Aaron and Miriam die. Moses strikes the rock, despite being commanded to talk to it, and as a result is banned from entering Israel. Amalek battles the Israelites and is defeated. After Edom and Moab refuse the Israelites passageway to Israel, the Israelites battle Sichon and Og, and are victorious. 

Balak: Balak, king of Moab, retains the prophet Balaam to curse the Jewish people. Instead of curses, only blessings come out of his mouth – including prophecies concerning the Messianic redemption. By Balaam’s advice, the Moabite women entice some of the Israelites to sin, resulting in a plague, which is stopped by Phinehas who zealously kills two of the offenders.    

Pinchas (Phinehas): Phinehas is rewarded for his brave act. Another census of the people is taken, the daughters of Zelophehad successfully argue for a portion in the land of Israel, and Joshua is decreed the successor to Moses. G-d relays to Moses the details of all the holiday sacrifices.    

Mattot***: This portion begins with the laws of oaths. The Israelites wage battle against Midian, and the spoils are divided and tithed. The tribes of Reuben and Gad request, and receive, territory outside the mainland of Israel.    

Massei: A summary of the Israelite journey through the deserts. The portion then discusses the boundaries of Israel, its division amongst the tribes and the cities which the Levites would receive, and the cities of refuge. Tzelofchad’s daughters are restricted to marrying within their own tribe. 

Devarim (Deuteronomy)  

Devarim: Moses begins his final monologue, five weeks before his passing. He recounts the story of their travel through the desert, placing emphasis on, and rebuking them for, the story of the spies.

Va'etchanan: Moses continually reminds the Israelites of the importance of following G-d’s commandments; the rewards which will result from obeying G-d’s words and the punishments which will befall them if they neglect to do so. Moses retells the story of Mt. Sinai, and repeats the Ten Commandments. Moses designates the cities of refuge. This portion also contains the Shema.   

Re'eh: Moses commands the Jews to recite the blessings and curses on Mt. Grizzim and Ebal, and directs them to destroy all vestiges of idolatry from the Promised Land. The Israelites are commanded to designate a city for the Holy Temple, and are forbidden from offering sacrifices elsewhere. Other topics of this portion are: the tithes, false-prophets, the wayward city, tattoos, laws of Kosher, charity, and the three festivals. 

Shoftim: Many Mitzvahs are discussed in this portion. Some of them are: appointing judges, the duty to follow the Oral Law and the words of a prophet, the obligations of the king, prohibition of sorcery, the punishment for perjury, laws of war, and the procedure for unsolved murders. 

Ki Teitzei: This portion contains seventy-four commandments; more Mitzvahs than any other portion. The following is a small sampling: the law of the rebellious son, the obligation to bury the dead without delay, the requirement to return a found object, the prohibition against causing pain to any living creature, the prohibition against prostitution, the laws of marriage and divorce, the procedure of the Levirate marriage, and the obligation to eradicate the memory of Amalek. 

Ki Tavo: The Israelites are commanded to bring the first of their fruit to the Temple, and instructed to deliver all tithes to the proper addressee. Moses details how the blessings and curses are to be proclaimed on mountains Grizzim and Ebal, and informs the people of the blessings they can achieve through following the Torah, and the terrible calamities which will result from disregarding G-d’s law.  

Nitzavim***: Moses assures the Israelites that after all the suffering which will befall them, they will repent from their sins and G-d will once again return all the Jews to Israel. This portion also talks about freedom of choice.  

Vayelech: This portion recounts the last day of Moses' life. He transfers leadership to Joshua, and writes a Torah scroll which he gives to the Levites. Moses tells the Israelites the Mitzvah of Hakhel (gathering together all the Jews on the year after the Sabbatical), and informs them of the suffering which will be their lot when they will abandon G-d’s Torah. 

Ha’azinu: Most of this portion consists of a poetic song spoken by Moses. The song is a prophecy of that which will transpire to the Jews – the good and the bad – until the end of times. The portion concludes with G-d commanding Moses to climb Mount Nebo, from where he would see the Promised Land before his passing.    

V’zot Haberachah: This portion recounts the blessings Moses gave to each of the tribes, the story of his death, and the greatness of his personality and deeds.

***In certain years, this portion is read together with the following one. See "Why are there some Shabbats when we read two Torah portions instead of one?"