What to Do and Expect When You Have an Aliyah

Having an "aliyah"--being "called up" to the bimah--is an honor that every member of our congregation can enjoy! There are several different honors that are handed out at a Shabbat morning service, including opening and closing the ark, reciting the blessings before and after the reading of the Torah, lifting the Torah scroll, and dressing the Torah before it is returned to the ark.

This page will tell you what to expect and what to do when you accept an aliyah to recite the blessings for the reading of the Torah:

1)  Coming Up

You will be told ahead of time which aliyah is yours. Normally, the shabbat morning reading is divided into 7 parts, but for our Family Shabbat service, we abbreviate that to 3. When the person with the aliyah before yours is finishing, you should make your way up to the bimah.

---

2) What's Your Name?

When you are called up to the Torah, one of the gabbayim (the people who manage the various aspects of the Torah service) will announce you by your Hebrew name. You need to know your Hebrew name so that you can tell them. (If you don't know your Hebrew name, or aren't sure, let Rabbi Levin know!--she'll be happy to help you! rabbi@toratyisrael.org)

3)  Touch & Kiss

Before you say the blessings, the person reading the Torah portion will point to the first word of the reading. You touch that spot with the corner of your talit (prayer shawl) and then bring the talit to your lips and kiss it. (If you are a woman not wearing a talit, you can "touch and kiss" with the belt that ties the torah.)

---

4) Blessing

Take hold of the wooden Torah handles (Eitz Hayyim) as you recite the blessing. The Psalms say:  "It is a tree of life (Eitz Hayyim) to those who hold fast to it" . . . so the tradition is to hold on to the Torah when we recite the blessings.
Start with the first short introductory phrase of the blessing and wait for the congregation to sing the next phrase, then finish the next paragraph of the blessing.

---

5) Touch & Kiss

When the Torah reader finishes the reading, he/she will point to the last word of the section. "Touch and Kiss" on that word, then sing the single remaining paragraph of the blessing.

6) Switch Sides

After you finish the blessing, move over to the other side of the Torah reader to make room for the next person called up. You'll stay at the bimah through the next reading. When the next reading is finished, the gabbayim and Torah reader will congratulate you for your honor by shaking your hand. You may then return to your seat.

---

The text of the blessing is below with Hebrew and transliteration. Click the audio icon to hear the blessing.

Blessing Before the Torah Reading:
(You): Bar’chu et Adonai ham’vorach.
(Congregation): Baruch Adonai ham’vorach l’olam va-ed.
(You): Baruch Adonai ham’vorach l’olam va-ed.
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, asher bachar banu mikol ha'amim, v’natan lanu et Torato. Baruch ata, Adonai, notein haTorah.

Blessing After the Torah Reading:
(You): Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, asher natan lanu Torat emet, v’chayei olam nata b’tocheinu. Baruch ata Adonai, notein haTorah.