AN ALIYAH:  IT’S AN HONOR -- BUT WHAT DO I DO?

It is a great honor to be called to the Torah.  A Torah honor is known as an aliyah.  The aliyah is a way in which we are privileged to give voice to the most sacred words of our Tradition, the words of Torah which represent the words of God.  In ancient times, the one who received an aliyah also chanted the Torah.  Don't worry—someone else will be chanting the text in your behalf, but the honor is still yours.  This is what you do:

Before The Torah is Read

1.         Ascend the bimah (pulpit) and move to the right of the Torah Reader.

2.         Wrap the tallit (prayer shawl) corner around your pointer finger.

3.         Women not wearing a tallit do the same using the hagoret (Torah belt).

4.         Lightly touch the word that the Torah Reader is pointing to.

5.         Kiss the corner of the tallit or hagoret (Torah belt).

6.         Roll the Torah closed and as you hold both handles, recite the following:

You begin with:

Congregation responds:

You continue:

You begin with:

Barekhu et Adonai hamevorakh

Congregation responds: 

Barukh Adonai hamevorakh le’olam va’ed.

You continue:

Barukh Adonai hamevorakh le’olam va’ed.

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam,

asher bahar banu mikol ha’amim

venatan lanu et Torahto,

Barukh atah Adonai, notein haTorah.

The blessing means:  Praise Adonai to whom praises are due!  Praises are due Adonai at all times.  Praised are You, Adonai our God who rules the universe, who has chosen us from all nations by giving us Torah.  Praised are You, Adonai, who gives the Torah.

After The Torah is Read

1.         Wrap the tallit (prayer shawl) corner around your pointer finger.

2.         Women not wearing a tallit do the same using the hagoret (Torah belt).

3.         Lightly touch the word that the Torah Reader is pointing to.

4.         Kiss the corner of the tallit or hagoret (Torah belt).

5.         Roll the Torah closed and as you hold both handles, recite the following:

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam,

asher natan lanu Torat emet

vehayei olam nata betokheinu,

Barukh atah Adonai, notein haTorah.

This blessing means:  Praised are You, Adonai our God who rules the universe, who by giving us a Torah of truth has planted eternal life deep within us.  Praised are You, Adonai, who gives the Torah.

1.         Don't leave yet.

2.         Move away from the Torah Reader and remain on the bimah (pulpit).

3.         After the following aliyah, greet the rabbi, cantor, and synagogue representatives.

4.         You have fully completed your aliyah and may now return to your seat.

Following Your Aliyah

Having completed an aliyah, the customary greeting that others may offer to you is:

To a man:  Yishar Kohakha  -- 

To a woman:  Yishar Koheikh  -- 
More power to you!

And the response to the greeter would be:

To a man:  Barukh tihiyeh  -- 
To a woman:  Berukhah tehi  -- 

May you be blessed!

Previous

Index