Open a sample Torah reading with full Hebrew text, trope marks, and audio to see how TropeTrainer works.
Practice Parashat Vaetchanan with TropeTrainer
Follow along with Hebrew text, trope cantillation marks, and audio at your own pace.
Parashat Vaetchanan - פָּרָשַׁת וָאֶתְחַנַּן
Vaetchanan (“I Pleaded”) opens as Moses describes his pleading with God to be allowed into the Land of Israel. Moses warns the Israelites not to pursue idolatry and recounts the giving of the Ten Commandments. The portion also contains the Shema, a declaration of faith and a central text in Jewish prayer.
Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
Parashat Vaetchanan is the 45th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Next read on July 25th, 2026 / 11 Av 5786
- Annual Reading
Read Annually
1:
3:23 - 4:4· 11 p’sukim
2:
4:5 - 4:40· 36 p’sukim
3:
4:41 - 4:49· 9 p’sukim
4:
5:1 - 5:18· 18 p’sukim
5:
5:19 - 6:3· 15 p’sukim
6:
6:4 - 6:25· 22 p’sukim
7:
7:1 - 7:11· 11 p’sukim
Maftir:
7:9 - 7:11· 3 p’sukim
- Triennial Year 1
July 25th, 2026
1:
3:23 - 3:25· 3 p’sukim
2:
3:26 - 4:4· 8 p’sukim
3:
4:5 - 4:14· 10 p’sukim
4:
4:15 - 4:20· 6 p’sukim
5:
4:21 - 4:40· 20 p’sukim
6:
4:41 - 4:49· 9 p’sukim
7:
5:1 - 5:18· 18 p’sukim
Maftir:
5:16 - 5:18· 3 p’sukim
- Triennial Year 2
August 14th, 2027
1:
5:1 - 5:18· 18 p’sukim
2:
5:19 - 5:24· 6 p’sukim
3:
5:25 - 5:30· 6 p’sukim
4:
6:1 - 6:3· 3 p’sukim
5:
6:4 - 6:9· 6 p’sukim
6:
6:10 - 6:19· 10 p’sukim
7:
6:20 - 6:25· 6 p’sukim
Maftir:
6:23 - 6:25· 3 p’sukim
- Triennial Year 3
August 5th, 2028
1:
5:1 - 5:18· 18 p’sukim
2:
5:19 - 5:24· 6 p’sukim
3:
5:25 - 6:3· 9 p’sukim
4:
6:4 - 6:9· 6 p’sukim
5:
6:10 - 6:19· 10 p’sukim
6:
6:20 - 6:25· 6 p’sukim
7:
7:1 - 7:11· 11 p’sukim
Maftir:
7:9 - 7:11· 3 p’sukim
About Parashat Parashat Vaetchanan
Vaetchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) sits within Moses's farewell discourse in Moab, weaving together personal narrative, moral exhortation, and foundational liturgy. Its enduring significance lies in how it frames the covenant: Moses presses Israel to remember the Revelation at Sinai, to guard the commandments faithfully, and to shun idolatry, warning that breaking the covenant will lead to exile. The portion's restatement of monotheism and covenant fidelity culminates in the Shema, making it one of the most theologically central readings in the Torah. It also carries calendrical weight, always falling on Shabbat Nachamu, which turns the mood from mourning the Temple's destruction toward consolation and hope for redemption.
The Haftarah
The Haftarah for Vaetchanan is Isaiah 40:1-26, read in most Ashkenazi and Sephardi communities alike (surveyed sources note no difference in the verse range, though some rites such as Italian or Yemenite may vary). It is the first of the seven haftarot of consolation (shiva d'nechemta) read on the Shabbatot between Tisha B'Av and Rosh Hashanah. The connection is primarily calendrical and thematic rather than a direct echo of the parashah's plot: Vaetchanan is always read on Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat following Tisha B'Av, named for the haftarah's opening words "Nachamu, nachamu ami" ("Comfort, comfort My people"). After three weeks of mourning, Isaiah offers the first words of consolation and a vision of restoration, resonating with the parashah's exaltation of God's oneness and incomparability.
Notable passages and verses
Vaetchanan's most famous passage is the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4): "Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad" ("Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is One") — the central declaration of Jewish faith, recited daily and traditionally at the end of life — followed immediately by the V'ahavta, the command to love God with all your heart, soul, and might. The portion also contains the second telling of the Ten Commandments (the Decalogue) in Deuteronomy 5, which differs in some wording from the version in Exodus. The name "Vaetchanan" ("I pleaded") refers to Moses's plea to be allowed to enter the Land of Israel, which God denied. The portion carries the special status of being read on Shabbat Nachamu, the Sabbath of Consolation after Tisha B'Av.
Frequently asked questions
What is parashat Vaetchanan about?
Vaetchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) is part of Moses's farewell address to the Israelites in Moab. Moses recounts his denied plea to enter the Land of Israel, urges Israel to keep the commandments and remember the Revelation at Sinai, warns against idolatry, restates the Ten Commandments, and delivers the Shema, the central declaration of God's oneness. On TropeTrainer you can hear and practice this reading with its trope (cantillation).
What is the haftarah for Vaetchanan?
The Haftarah for Vaetchanan is Isaiah 40:1-26, read in most Ashkenazi and Sephardi communities (though some rites may differ). It is the first of the seven haftarot of consolation and gives Shabbat Nachamu its name from its opening words, "Nachamu, nachamu ami" ("Comfort, comfort My people"). TropeTrainer lets you hear and practice this haftarah with its trope so you can prepare your chanting.
What are the themes of Vaetchanan?
Vaetchanan centers on covenant fidelity, remembering the Revelation at Sinai, the rejection of idolatry, and above all the oneness of God as proclaimed in the Shema. It also pairs with Shabbat Nachamu, shifting the calendar from mourning toward consolation and hope. With TropeTrainer you can hear and practice this reading with trope to bring its themes to life through chant.
Where is the Shema found in the Torah?
The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4), "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is One," appears in parashat Vaetchanan, followed by the V'ahavta. It is the most recited verse in Judaism. TropeTrainer lets you hear and practice this passage and the full Vaetchanan reading with trope.
Where to go next
See the complete list of weekly parashot with links to every reading and detail page.
Work through guided lessons on Torah trope cantillation, from basic symbols to advanced phrase patterns.