the prayer service and ceremony surrounding communal reading from the Torah scroll
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vote
1answer
68 views
Two Yahrtzeits One for Mother one for Father who comes First
All other things being equal Halachically, if you have two people with Yahrtzeits one for a mother and one for a father, who has priority with regards to getting an Aliyah (and/or davening for the ...
6
votes
1answer
157 views
how to call up a kohen/levi as acharon
Shulachan Aruch (OC 135:10) holds, and Rama (there) seems to also hold, that if a kohen (or levi, m.m.) is called as acharon then the gabai should say "af al pi shehu kohen". The purpose of this is to ...
7
votes
4answers
150 views
Is it permitted to make kiddush before Torah reading on Shabbat?
I know it's acceptable to have kiddush before Mussaf. Is it acceptable to have kiddush after the kaddish shalem of Shacharit but before the sefer Torah is taken out to be read?
(I believe I've heard ...
5
votes
2answers
146 views
Formal Hebrew honorific for one's mother
Many men, when going up for an aliya, tell the gabbai their name as, e.g. "Reuven ben Rav Yaakov", even if "Yaakov," the father, isn't actually a Rabbi." I believe the reason for this practice is to ...
2
votes
1answer
78 views
Kibbudim on Shabbat/Yom Tov
Are there any halachot governing who can and who can not get a kibbud (i.e. opening the Aron , not an aliyah) on Shabbat, Yom Tov, Rosh Hashannah or Yom Kippur? I ask because in our shul we have two ...
8
votes
4answers
414 views
חזק חזק ונתחזק Chazak Chazak VeNischazek: why
Why do we say חזק חזק ונתחזק when we end each Chumash?
3
votes
7answers
139 views
what to throw at a bridegroom
Any suggestions as to what should be thrown at someone when he gets an aliya on the Shabas before his wedding? Suggestions should take into account any considerations deemed appropriate (and adding to ...
7
votes
4answers
180 views
maftir as an honor
A bar mitzva or bridegroom is usually (in congregation I'm familiar with, or, at least, Ashkenazic ones) given maftir. Why is this, considering that it's the lowliest of all the aliyos? (The question ...
3
votes
3answers
196 views
What is the Proper Way to Read Genesis 35:22?
In Parshas Vayishlach, there is a verse (Genesis 35:22) that contains a "Piska Be'emtza Pasuk": a new paragraph in the Torah scroll begins in the middle of the verse. However, unlike with other ...
4
votes
3answers
189 views
3
votes
1answer
107 views
Bent/Inverted Kaf in Torah Scroll, Parshas Bereishis
If a Torah reader finds certain writing errors in a Torah scroll, the scroll may be invalid, and the congregation would be required to take out a different one to continue the service. Some errors, ...
1
vote
3answers
234 views
Miracle Blessing - Birchas HaGomel
When a miracle occurs to someone he makes a Bracha, HaGomel after Kriyas HaTorah. What does a lady do if a miracle occured to her? Does she say the Bracha or does she not? If she does then when does ...
5
votes
4answers
172 views
Is B'rich Shmei said while the Torah sits in the Aron, or as it's held (by whom?)
Sing "vayhi binsoa" as the Aron is opened by -- let's call him Mr. Opener
Brich Shmei is said
Chazan is now holding Torah scroll and says Shema (or Gadlu).
I've seen different things happen for ...
7
votes
1answer
88 views
Why do we do Hagbaah?
After "leining" the Torah, we pick up the Torah scroll to show everyone. Why do we do this?
3
votes
3answers
156 views
15
votes
7answers
1k views
6
votes
2answers
156 views
What do I do when asked to “open the Aron” or “take out the Torah”?
If I'm in synagogue and someone asks me if I can "open the Aron" or "take out the Sefer Torah," what will I be expected to do, and when?
2
votes
2answers
118 views
How to deal with the parts of the Torah reading that are pre-empted by the congregation
Sometimes, our traditional approach to the reading includes having the congregation recite a short section of the reading aloud before the Torah reader does it, and then he follows. The most ...
7
votes
4answers
361 views
Method for practicing Torah reading
What is your method for practicing reading a Torah portion and thus memorizing the associated vowelizations and intonations? I'm looking for ideas for maximizing your effectiveness at performing a ...
4
votes
6answers
434 views
What do I need to know in order to properly have an aliya?
What things should I know in advance in case I get called up for an aliya during a Torah-reading service?
10
votes
4answers
360 views
What's a good technique for a not-so-strong person to do [Ashkenazi] Hagbaha?
I've seen many people shy away when asked to do Hagbaha (הגבהה), thinking themselves too weak. I know for a fact that it doesn't take that much strength to do it correctly, so I'd love to ...
