As you may have noticed, the d'var Torah series has stopped publishing weekly diaries. We simply were not getting enough interest from writers interested in doing commentaries. However, with the High Holidays approaching, followed by the other fall holidays, we would like at least to publish some commentary on this important time of year. Commentary can be either about the holiday itself, about the Torah and Haftara readings, about the prayers, the customs - they can be personal reflections or reflect the commentaries of the Sages or later writers.
I have a diary on the music of the High Holidays that I will recycle, and am willing to do one or more other diaries as well, but different voices make for a richer experience for all of us. Please let your voice join in.
You can sign up in the comments here, or you can notify me or Navy Vet Terp by kosmail.
Here are dates and readings for the holiday season from the Etz Hayim Liturgical Calendar:
1 Tishrei
14th September 2015 Rosh HaShanah I 5776
ראש השנה Gen. 21:1-34
maf. Num. 29:1-6
1 Sam. 1:1–2:10
2 Tishrei
15th September 2015 Rosh HaShanah II
ראש השנה Gen. 22:1-24
maf. Num. 29:1-6
Jer. 31:1-19
3 Tishrei
16th September 2015 Tzom Gedaliah
[Fast of Gedaliah]
יום גדליה
Fast Day Ex. 32:11-14; 34:1-10 [am & pm]
Isa. 55:6–56:8 [pm]
[No Haftarah for Sephardim]
6 Tishrei
19th September 2015 Parashat VaYelekh
Shabbat Shuva
פרשת וילך, שבת שובה Deut. 31:1-30
Hos. 14:2-10; Mic. 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27
[Hos. 14:2-10; Mic. 7:18-20]
9 Tishrei
22nd September 2015 erev Yom Kippur
ערב יום הכיפור
10 Tishrei
23rd September 2015 Yom Kippur
[Day of Atonement]
יום הכיפור, יום הכיפורים
Lev. 16:1-34 [am]
Lev. 18:1-30 [pm]
maf. Num. 29:7-11
Isa. 57:14–58:14 [am]
Book of Jonah
Micah 7:18-20 [pm]
13 Tishrei
26th September 2015 Parashat Ha'azinu
פרשת האזינו Deut. 32:1-52 2 Sam. 22:1-51
14 Tishrei
27th September 2015 Erev Sukkot
ערב סוכות
15 Tishrei
28th September 2015 Sukkot I
סוכות א׳ Lev. 22:26–23:44
maf. Num. 29:12-16
Zech. 14:1-21
16 Tishrei
29th September 2015 Sukkot II
סוכות ב׳
Sukkot is celebrated over seven days [Eight in the Diaspora.] The first two days of Sukkot are a major holidays [Yom Tov] in the Diaspora and are followed by the Festival "weekdays" called Chol HaMoed. In Israel the Chol HaMoed begin on Sukkot Day II.
Lev. 22:26–23:44
maf. Num. 29:12-16
1 Kgs. 8:2-21
(...)
4th October 2015 Sukkot VII
[Hoshanah Rabbah]
סוכות ז׳ הושנא רבה Num. 29:26-34
22 Tishrei
5th October 2015 Shemini Atzeret
שמיני עצרת Deut. 14:22–16:17
maf. Num. 29:35–30:1
1 Kgs. 8:54-66
22 Tishrei
5th October 2015 erev Simhat Torah
ערב שמחת תורה
In most Jewish communities the Torah is read at night on Simhat Torah. [This is the only time when the Torah is read at night.] There are various customs regarding which Torah sections are read, although many select Vezot Haberachah, the last weekly portion on the Torah, omitting the last verses.
Deut. 33:1-17
[or 33:1-26]
Customs may vary.
23 Tishrei
6th October 2015 Simhat Torah
[Rejoicing in the Torah]
שמחת תורה
Simchat Torah is a celebration marking the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle. In Israel, Simhat Torah and Shemini Atzeret are celebrated on the same day.
Deut. 33:1–34:12
Gen. 1:1–2:3
maf. Num. 29:35–30:1
Josh. 1:1-18
[Josh. 1:1-9]
27 Tishrei
10th October 2015 Parashat Bereshit
פרשת בראשית Gen. 1:1–6:8
Isa. 42:5–43:10
I left out the readings between the second day of Sukkot and Shmini Atzeret.
It's best if diaries go up a day or two before a holiday so the observant among us, who don't use their computers on Shabbat and holidays, can join the discussion.