We read the Torah each week, finishing it every year, and most of us know the basics fairly well. We’re also pretty familiar with the megillos of Esther and Ruth, which we read on Purim and Shavuos, respectively. But most of us are not quite so familiar with Isaiah and Jeremiah, despite their ubiquity in the weekly haftarah. Or with Shir HaShirim and Koheles, also megillos read on holidays. Or with the Psalms, many of which we recite as part of our daily services. And when it comes to books like Job, Ezra and Chronicles – fuggedaboutit!
If you’re one of the overwhelming majority whose general Bible skills could use that extra little boost, now’s your chance to do something about it!
On Thursday, December 28, the Orthodox Union’s Shoshana Grossman Nach Yomi will begin its sixth two-year cycle. The OU’s Nach Yomi debuted on November 1, 2007, with the first chapter of the book of Joshua. At the rate of a chapter a day, participants are able to complete all of Neviim and Kesuvim (the Books of the Prophets and the Writings) in 742 days, just under two years.
The OU’s Nach Yomi includes everything one needs to acquire a share in every book of Jewish scripture. First and foremost, there’s a daily shiur delivered by a master of the craft. Popular Nach Yomi lecturers include Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Rabbi Menachem Leibtag, Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom, Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein, Rabbi Eric Levy, and many others. Next, OU Torah provides the text of each chapter in the original Hebrew and in English translation. Finally, each chapter features The Nach Yomi Companion, an easy-to-follow synopsis by OU Torah editor Rabbi Jack Abramowitz.
But that’s not all! You can download a PDF of The OU’s Shoshana Grossman Nach Yomi Calendar for Dec. 2017- Jan. 2020, as well as an informative brochure about Tanach and a timeline of the period of Nach! You can also subscribe to the receive Nach Yomi as a daily email or via podcast! You can likewise follow Nach Yomi on the OU Torah app for iOS and Android! And collected editions of The Nach Yomi Companion are available from OU Press!
So, join us on December 28 for Joshua chapter 1, taught by Rabbi Bini Maryles. In the meantime, enjoy Rabbi Weinreb’s Nach siyum shiur in memory of Ezra Schwartz HY”D, Completing Nach: The Story and the Vision. And remember to sign up to receive Shavua Tov, OU Torah’s weekly email, to keep track of Nach Yomi and all of OU Torah’s other daily learning programs, including Daf Yomi, Shnayim Mikra, Mishna Yomit, Mishnah Brurah Yomi, HaShoneh Halachos and more! Whether it’s a daf a day, an aliyah a day, a chapter a day, two mishnayos a day or two halachos a day, OU Torah has the tools to help you master learning in a wide array of areas!