Length of Torah Reading
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Question
Hello, It is known that Ezra the Scribe instituted the reading of the Torah on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat, and established that ten verses should be read. For example, in this week's portion, there are nineteen verses. Why is there a difference, and what is the practice today?
Answer
Hello
Ezra's ordinance is to read at least ten verses, but there is no restriction on reading more than that.
There are several reasons why sometimes more verses are read.
For example:
One should not stop when there is one or two verses left before the end of a 'parasha', but only when there are three or more verses left [an open or closed parasha - a section in the Torah marked by a short or long space in writing].
Similarly, one should not end within one or two verses of the previous parasha, but at least three verses away.
Additionally, efforts are made to begin and end on a positive note.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Siman 137 - 138