1. Overview of the Parsha Stops and Minhagim
In Parshas Massei, when Matis and Massei are read separately, there are various customs regarding how the aliyos—Torah reading portions—are divided on Shabbos and during the week. There is a notable difference between the Chabad custom and what is found in most printed Chumashim and Tikkun L’koyrims. With some exceptions brought down by works like Shai Lamoyer, the standard division in most sources differs from Chabad practice. This also affects how the aliyos are broken up for Shabbos Mincha, as well as Monday and Thursday readings of Parshas Massei, particularly in how we assign portions to Kohen, Levi, and Yisroel.2. The Structure of the Journeys in Parshas Massei
The Torah begins recounting the journeys of Bnei Yisroel from Egypt in Perek Lamed Gimel (33), Passik Aleph: “Eile Massei B’nei Yisroel.” The narrative starts with a general statement about their departure from Egypt, followed by details in Passik Gimel about leaving Ramses. Passik Dalet adds context about the Egyptians burying their dead, but it’s from Passik Hei onward that the Torah lists each journey sequentially. There are 42 stops in total, with some digressions along the way describing events at certain locations.3. Halachic Sources on Interrupting the Journeys
The Mogen Avrohom, cited in Shulchan Oruch Siman Kuf Mem Ches, brings from Sefer Tzureir HaMoyer that one should not interrupt between the 42 journeys (Membez Masoes). These journeys allude to the mystical name of Hashem associated with 42 (Shem Membez, or Shem Mab)—when Yud-Kei-Vov-Kei is spelled out fully, its numerical value is 42. Therefore, it is considered inappropriate to break up these verses. The Rebbe also brings this down in Hayom Yom, emphasizing not to interrupt during these passages, especially on Monday and Thursday readings.4. Practical Application: Weekday vs. Shabbos Readings
On weekdays (Monday and Thursday) and at Shabbos Mincha, since it is a weekday atmosphere (Yom Hamaiseh) and people should not be burdened with lengthy readings, there is a tendency to keep each aliyah short. Typically, all three weekday aliyos are taken from Rishon (the first section), dividing it into three parts for Kohen, Levi, and Yisroel without moving into Sheini (the second section). However, according to Chabad custom as emphasized by the Rebbe based on Mogen Avrohom’s ruling, even on Monday and Thursday or Mincha of Shabbos, we do not interrupt within the 42 journeys. Instead, after Kohen reads the initial three verses (Eile Massei through Vayisu MeRamses), Levi reads straight through all 42 journeys until their conclusion.5. Chabad Custom vs. Other Nuschaos for Aliyah Breaks
According to Chabad minhag, on Shabbos day itself there is no concern about burdening people with long readings (Yom Hamaiseh). Therefore, Rishon encompasses everything from “Eile Massei” through all 42 journeys—making it one uninterrupted aliyah for Kohen. Sheini then begins immediately after the conclusion of the journeys. In contrast, other nuschaos do not take care to avoid breaking up the 42 journeys; they often place Sheini right in the middle (for example at Posuk Yud), splitting up the list of stops between two aliyos.6. Critique of Standard Printed Chumashim Practices
It is surprising that most printed Chumashim and Tikkunim do not follow this halachic consideration brought by Mogen Avrohom and others such as Mishnah Berurah and Aruch Hashulchan. Instead, they divide Rishon into three parts even within the list of journeys for weekday readings or break up Shabbos aliyos mid-list without regard for maintaining unity among the 42 stops.7. Technical Details: How Aliyos Are Divided According to Minhagim
For non-Chabad nuschaos: Rishon ends mid-list (e.g., at Posuk Yud), Sheini continues through more of the list until its end, then Shlishi picks up after all journeys are listed (Perek Lamedaled). For Chabad: On weekdays or Mincha of Shabbos, Kohen gets three verses; Levi receives all 42 journeys; Yisroel follows after that section ends. On Shabbos day itself, Rishon covers everything through all 42 stops; Sheini is a very short aliyah immediately following; then Shlishi resumes as usual so that by Revi’i both customs align again.8. Summary: The Importance of Keeping Membez Masoes Together
The main point is that according to Chabad minhag—and based on strong halachic precedent—it is important not to interrupt within the Membez Masoes due to their spiritual significance tied to Shem Membez. Even though other communities do not seem concerned with this issue in their printed texts or practical divisions for aliyos, Chabad maintains this practice both on weekdays (even at some inconvenience) and especially on Shabbos day by reading all 42 stops together as one unit before making any break for subsequent aliyos.