We review today the Halacha of ‘Shinayim Mikra VeAchad Targum’, which means twice with the [Mikra] text and once with the [Targum] Aramaic translation of the text by Onkelos. Halacha says that every week one has to twice read the Mikra of the Parasha (outer text on the page in a printed Torah), which is the actual text of the Torah, and every week to read once the Targum (printed on the inner side of the pages.) (See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Hayim, siman 285:1.)
Some also have the custom as brought down in Shulchan Aruch (ibid :2) to additionally read the Perush of Rashi of the entire Parasha. One should try and finish that by Shabbat, by the time we read the Parasha.
In any event, a question we discuss today is regarding Parashat Vezot HaBeracha. This is the last Parasha in the Torah, and it is read on Simchat Torah. This year Simchat Torah falls out on a Friday. The question asked is, when do you read the Shinayim Mikra VeAchad Targum for Parashat Vezot HeBeracha? The Ben Ish Chai in Parashat VeZot HeBeracha, Halacha 15, says that one should try to read it on Hoshana Raba Day. This year 5765 (2004), the holiday falls out on a Wednesday. Following that we have Parashat Bereshit only a day later when we read it on Shabbat. So we need to read the Shinayim Mikra VeAchad Targum on Parashat Bereshit either Friday night, early Saturday morning, or while the Chazan is reading the Parasha on Shabbat morning (siman 285:5). It should be pointed out, that if one reads the Mikra along with the Chazan, so that reading would be counted as one Mikra, and another reading would still have to be done afterwards (if not said prior). Additionally, one must make sure and read the Targum (Onkelos) as well.
So again, we are reminding everyone since it is a new year, to accept upon themselves a new year’s resolution and try to follow this Halacha of ‘Shinayim Mikra VeAchad Targum’. The Gemara says that reading Shinayim Mikra VeAchad Targum lengthens a person’s life. So we should be careful to perform this Mitzvah, especially in our society today where everyone is looking for security and safety and insurance. Shinayim Mikra VeAchad Targum is an insurance policy that a person will be able, Be’Ezrat Hashem, to live a very long, healthy, and happy life.
For more information on Onkelos, please copy and paste the following ling in your web browser:
http://www.ou.org/about/judaism/rabbis/onkelos.htm
