Kapłańska 26:3 Halacha: Mishneh Torah, Prayer and the Priestly Blessing & Kitzur Shulchan Arukh

Ezra instituted the rule for Israel that the portion containing the Imprecations in the book of Leviticus (26:3-end of book) should be read before the feast of Pentecost; and those in the book of Deuteronomy (26:1-29:8) before the New Year. The prevalent custom is to read the portion Bemidbar Sinai (Numbers 1:1-4:20) before Pentecost; Vaethchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) after the Ninth of Ab; Atem Nitzabim (Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20) before the New Year; Tzav ess Aharon (Leviticus 6:1-8:36) before Passover in an ordinary year (of twelve months). Hence, on some Sabbaths, two portions are read during the morning service, for example, Isha Ki Tazria (Leviticus 12:1-13:59) and Vezoth tihejeh Torath Hametzora (ibid. 14:1-15:33); Bechukotai (ibid. 26:3-end of book) and Behar Sinai (ibid. 25:1-26:2) etc.; the purpose being to ensure that the reading of the Pentateuch shall be completed in one year and that the portions above mentioned shall be read at their appointed periods.

On the Ninth of Ab, the section read in the morning service is that beginning, "When thou shalt beget children" (Deuteronomy 4:25-40). The lesson from the Prophets is that beginning, "I will consume them" (Jeremiah 8:13-9:23). In the afternoon service, the sections beginning, "And Moses besought" (Exodus 32:11-14) and also (34:1-10) are read, as on the other fast-days and on those that are kept in commemoration of the calamities that befell our ancestors. These sections are read in the morning and afternoon services. The first person called up reads four verses from the section beginning, "And Moses besought." The second and third persons read from the section beginning, "Hew thee two tables of stone" till "That I am about to do with thee" (Exodus 34:1-10). On fast days appointed by the community because of existing calamities such as drought, pestilence or similar visitations, the Benedictions and Maledictions (Leviticus 26:3-46 or Deuteronomy 28:1-69) are read, so that the people, when they listen to them, may be moved to repent and their hearts be humbled.

Even though the saying of kaddish and prayers are helpful to [the souls of] the parents, yet they are not the main thing. The most important thing is that the children walk in the path of righteousness, because with that they gain Heavenly favor for their parents. Thus it is written in the holy Zohar: (at the end of the portion Bechukosai) "A son honors his father."¹³Malachi 1:6. This statement is similar to the Divine command "Honor your father and your mother,"¹⁴Exodus 20:12. which teaches [that a son must provide his parents] with food and drink. All this he must do while they are alive, but after their death you might think he is exempt, this is not so. Even after their death it is his duty to honor them even more, for it is written, "Honor your father;" and if the son walks in the path of evil, he surely shows contempt for his father, and disgraces him. But if the son walks in the path of righteousness and acts properly, he certainly honors his father thereby; he honors him in this world in the [eyes] of men, and confers glory on him in the other world in the presence of the Holy One, blessed is He. And the Holy One, blessed is He, has mercy on him and seats him on His Throne of Honor … (end of Zohar text). A person should, therefore, instruct his children to observe one certain mitzvah [with particular care]. If they fulfill [this mitzvah] it counts for more than saying the kaddish. This is also a good course [to follow] for a person who has no sons, only daughters.