Hashavua

Hashavua, literally “the week” in Hebrew, is a common term in Jewish and Israeli usage. It denotes the span of seven days from Sunday to Saturday and is embedded in daily life through the Hebrew calendar and religious practice. The word is often used in phrases that refer to time and events within the week, as well as in media and everyday conversation.

Etymology and usage: Hashavua comes from the Hebrew root for seven, reflecting the seven-day cycle that defines the week. In modern Hebrew, the word functions as the generic label for the weekly period and appears in expressions such as “this week” or “weekly” about ongoing events or schedules.

Parashat hashavua and the weekly cycle: In Jewish practice, parashat hashavua refers to the weekly Torah portion read in synagogue on Shabbat as part of the annual cycle of weekly readings. Each portion is paired with a Haftorah reading from the Prophets. The cycle typically consists of about 54 portions; in leap years, some portions are joined, resulting in weeks that cover combined sections of the Torah.

Contemporary usage: Beyond religious contexts, hashavua is used in everyday Hebrew to indicate the current week or a weekly recap in media and publishing. It remains a standard way to reference time in the cadence of weekly routines, schedules, and summaries.

See also: parashat hashavua, Haftorah, Hebrew calendar.