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The Mitzvah of Shnayim Mikra

Written by Benjamin A Rose

“And these are the names of the Children of Israel” (Shmos 1:1). In conjunction with the public reading of the parsha, our Chachomim say that every individual learn it on his own and be familiar with its basic pshat. To achieve this level of mastery, they instituted a three tiered review of the parsha: The text itself must be read twice, followed by Onkelos. Shnayim Mikrah Ve’echod Targum, “twice the text and once the translation of Onkelos”, is the name of this mitzvah. A G-d fearing man should study Rashi’s commentary in addition to Targum.

It is hinted at (remez) in the first pasuk of this week’s Parsha. The Hebrew letters of the pasuk “V’eila Shemos Bnei Yisroel” are an acronym for: V’chayav Adam Likros Haparsha Shnayim Mikra Ve’echod Targum Vze Chayavim Kol Bnei Yisroel”.

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