Shnayim mikra ve-echad targum (Hebrew: שנים מקרא ואחד תרגום, lit. 'Twice Scripture and once translation'), is the Jewish practice of reading the weekly Torah portion in a prescribed manner. In addition to hearing the Torah portion read in the synagogue, a person should read it himself twice during that week, together with a translation usually by Targum Onkelos and/or Rashi's commentary.[1][2] In addition, while not required by law, there exists an Ashkenazi custom to also read the portion from the Prophets with its targum.[3]
According to the gemara:
This statement was interpreted as the ritual of Shnayim mikra ve-echad targum and is codified in the Shulchan Aruch:[5]
Times of Recitation (starting with most ideal)[citation needed] 1. On Friday, after midday 2. On Friday, after the morning prayer 3. On the Sabbath morning, before the lunch meal 4. After the Sabbath lunch meal but before the time for the Mincha prayer 5. Up until Tuesday evening following the Sabbath of a particular weekly portion 6. Up until Shemini Atzeret of that particular year |
As above, the basic obligation of Shnayim mikra ve-echad targum involves reciting the Hebrew text of the weekly portion twice and then reciting Targum Onkelos once.
Although one may read Shnayim mikra ve-echad targum from any text, special books have been published which print the Hebrew text twice consecutively followed by the Aramaic Targum so as to assure that the reader will recite the requisite repetitions of each verse. Examples include Chumash Haavarat HaSidra[14] and Chumash Shnayim Mikra Ve'Echad Targum.[15] Electronic versions for use in smartphones, tablet computers and e-book readers are also available.[16]
Other works designed for daily Torah study (such as Chok l'Yisrael, which includes the Torah with other study texts divided by the weeks of the year) will print the Hebrew text once, and, as with a standard Chumash, the reader must remember to repeat the Hebrew text before going on to the Targum. Some of these works divide the weekly portion by day and, generally correspondingly, by Aliyah (Sunday: first Aliyah, Monday: Second Aliyah...). Others divide the weekly portion differently: for example Chok L'Yisrael prescribes a set number of verses for each day of the week, with the remainder of the portion to be read on Friday.
For other study cycles, see Torah study § Study cycles