Aliyah L’Torah: Being Called Up to the Torah
Learn How
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How to Have an Aliyah
In this 4 minute long instructional video from MyJewishLearning.com, Rabbi Steven Exler explains and demonstrates what to do and say when being called up to the Torah for an aliyah, with the on-screen English and transliterated texts of the Hebrew blessing. Rabbi Steven Exler is
Learn to Chant the Blessings for the Aliyah
This interactive online tool from Chabad.org allows you to learn to recite the traditional blessings before and after the Torah reading at your own pace with the click of a button. With the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the blessings recited in a slow,
Learn the Blessings Before & After Reading the Torah with “Prayer-eoke”
These two short videos demonstrate the singing of the blessings recited before and after the Torah reading, when called up for an aliyah. These videos with Hebrew and transliterated subtitles were created by Rabbi Ahuva Zaches of Congregation Or Ami (Reform) in Richmond, VA, as part of her YouTube
Learn the Blessing Before Reading the Torah with “Prayer-eoke”
This video demonstrates the singing of the blessing one recites upon being called up to the Torah for an aliyah during Torah reading. This video, with Hebrew and transliterated subtitles, was created by Rabbi Ahuva Zaches of Congregation Or Ami (Reform) in Richmond, VA, as part of her YouTube
What To Expect At Synagogue Services on Saturday Morning
This informative article by Conservative Rabbi Daniel Kohn provides a guide for bar/bat mitzvah guests and other newcomers to Shabbat worship services, including explanations of what to wear and do, and a description of the people who lead the various parts of the service. Despite the fact that norms
Learn the Reform Blessings Before & After Reading the Haftarah with “Prayer-eoke”
These two short videos demonstrate the singing of the blessings recited before and after the reading of the haftarah in Reform congregations. The haftarah is a selection from the book of Prophets publicly read in synagogue following the Torah reading on Shabbat, Jewish festivals and fast days. In
Reconstructionist Blessings Before & After Torah Reading & the Concept of Chosenness
This short video demonstrates how to recite the blessings before and after the Torah reading according to the Reconstructionist tradition, which omits references to the Jews as the ‘Chosen People’ because of the movement’s ideological stance against chosenness in favor of equality. The video, with
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: How To Have an Aliyah
This short video from Former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks demonstrates what to do and say when being called up to the Torah for an aliyah. With clear step-by-step instructions and an accompanying on-screen transliteration of the blessings, this video is particularly helpful for beginners. The video is from the
An Introduction to the “Mi Sheberach” Prayer
This introductory article from Chabad.org explains the Mi Sheberach prayer recited during the Torah reading and provides the Hebrew and English texts for the prayers recited during the week and on Shabbat for those who are called up to the Torah for an aliyah, for sick
What is an Aliyah and How Can You Participate?
Perfect for beginners, this clear article from Chabad.org explains the origins behind being called up to the Torah, as well as when and how this is practiced in Orthodox congregations, including the Hebrew, English, and transliterated texts of the blessings recited both before and after the
Aliyah 101: What You Should Know Before Being Called to the Torah
Perfect for beginners, this comprehensive article by Ronald L. Eisenberg explains everything you need to know about the ritual of getting called up to the Torah. The author describes the entire process in clear detail, mentioning the varying customs of different communities as well as how the
What to Expect at a Reform Shabbat Service
This article by Rabbi Wendi Geffen answers basic questions about the evening and morning Shabbat services in Reform Congregations, such as whether or not there will be music and what people may be wearing. This is a helpful resource for someone who is planning on
Customs
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Traditional Blessings Before & After Torah Reading
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the blessings recited before and after the Torah reading when called up for an aliyah, as well as audio recordings of each blessing sung by Cantor Daniel Singer of the Reform Stephen Wise Free Synagogue. Blessing
Reconstructionist Blessings Before & After Torah Reading & the Concept of Chosenness
This short video demonstrates how to recite the blessings before and after the Torah reading according to the Reconstructionist tradition, which omits references to the Jews as the ‘Chosen People’ because of the movement’s ideological stance against chosenness in favor of equality. The video, with
The “Mi Sheberach” Prayer for One Who Has an Aliyah
This post provides the Hebrew and English texts for the prayer recited for one who is called up to the Torah on Shabbat. An excerpt from a longer article from Chabad.org, this text reflects the tradition of the Orthodox Hasidic Chabad-Lubavitch community. Mi Sheberach to be said after
Audio Recordings of Ashkenazi High Holiday Liturgy
This link will take you to the musical prayer navigator of Mechon Hadar, where you can find audio recordings for each part of the synagogue service for Shabbat, weekday, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Festivals and Rosh Chodesh. A useful resource for those who want to learn
Reform Blessings Before & After the Reading of the Haftarah
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the blessings recited before and after the reading of the haftarah in Reform congregations. The haftarah is a selection from the book of Prophets publicly read in synagogue following the Torah reading on Shabbat, Jewish festivals
Hebrew Coming-of-Age Misheberakh Prayers
This post presents the Hebrew texts of four different coming-of-age Mi Sheberach prayers: traditional Bar Mitzvah, traditional Bat Mitzvah, 80 year old, and second Bar Mitzvah, sometimes celebrated 70 years after the first. Created by egabbai.com, these small cards are specifically designed for the gabbai –
Learn the Reform Blessings Before & After Reading the Haftarah with “Prayer-eoke”
These two short videos demonstrate the singing of the blessings recited before and after the reading of the haftarah in Reform congregations. The haftarah is a selection from the book of Prophets publicly read in synagogue following the Torah reading on Shabbat, Jewish festivals and fast days. In
Misheberakh Prayer for a Bat Mitzvah Girl
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the Mi Sheberach prayer for a Bat Mitzvah girl to be recited during the Torah reading service in synagogue. The blessing was published by JOFA, the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance and shared on Ritualwell, a project
Reconstructionist Blessings Before & After Torah Reading with Feminine God-Language
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of a the blessings recited before and after the Torah reading when called up for an aliyah, using feminine God-language and omitting reference to the Jews as the ‘Chosen People.’ The blessings were formulated by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Reb
Learn the Blessings Before & After Reading the Torah with “Prayer-eoke”
These two short videos demonstrate the singing of the blessings recited before and after the Torah reading, when called up for an aliyah. These videos with Hebrew and transliterated subtitles were created by Rabbi Ahuva Zaches of Congregation Or Ami (Reform) in Richmond, VA, as part of her YouTube
Music
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Audio Recordings of Ashkenazi High Holiday Liturgy
This link will take you to the musical prayer navigator of Mechon Hadar, where you can find audio recordings for each part of the synagogue service for Shabbat, weekday, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Festivals and Rosh Chodesh. A useful resource for those who want to learn
Informative Articles & Videos
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What is an Aliyah and How Can You Participate?
Perfect for beginners, this clear article from Chabad.org explains the origins behind being called up to the Torah, as well as when and how this is practiced in Orthodox congregations, including the Hebrew, English, and transliterated texts of the blessings recited both before and after the
What is So Special About the Aliyahs?
With references to halachic and Kabbalistic sources, this brief article from Chabad.org explains why being called up to the Torah is a special honor, focusing on the spiritual significance behind this ritual. As part of Chabad’s online “Ask the Rabbi” service, Rabbi Baruch S. Davidson explains
An Introduction to the “Mi Sheberach” Prayer
This introductory article from Chabad.org explains the Mi Sheberach prayer recited during the Torah reading and provides the Hebrew and English texts for the prayers recited during the week and on Shabbat for those who are called up to the Torah for an aliyah, for sick
A Detailed Lecture About the Torah Reading Service & Aliyot
In this 30 minute video lecture from Chabad.org, Rabbi Menachem Posner provides a clear explanation of the entire Torah Reading service in synagogue, including an in-depth description of getting called up to the Torah for an aliyah. This video reflects the customs of the Orthodox
Aliyah 101: What You Should Know Before Being Called to the Torah
Perfect for beginners, this comprehensive article by Ronald L. Eisenberg explains everything you need to know about the ritual of getting called up to the Torah. The author describes the entire process in clear detail, mentioning the varying customs of different communities as well as how the
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What else?
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A Woman Describes Her First Aliyah to the Torah
In this personal article, Lauren Hamburger relays her first experience of being called up to the Torah for an aliyah, a practice that is traditionally reserved for men. The author describes how it felt to be an active participant in the service, as opposed to
Aliyah to the Torah vs. Aliyah to Israel
In this post from Chabad.org, Rabbi Yossi Lew explains why the term “aliyah” is used to describe both being called up to the Torah and moving to Israel. In both cases, aliyah – which means ascent – refers to a spiritual elevation, as opposed to
A Prayer Before One’s Aliyah to the Torah
This post presents an original prayer which was written by Rabbi Jill Hammer to be recited by an individual or community at the time that the Torah is lifted or before one’s own personal aliyah. Although she wrote this blessing specifically for the holiday of
The First American Bat Mitzvah: A Personal Account
In this article, Judith Kaplan Eisenstein shares a personal account of her Bat Mitzvah, the first Bat Mitzvah ceremony celebrated in America in 1922. The daughter of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, the founder of Reconstructionist Judaism, Judith recalls her own hesitations and those of her community, emphasizing how her
Reconstructionist Torah Reading Blessings in ASL
In this video, Rabbis Darby Leigh and Roni Handler demonstrate how to sing and sign the Reconstructionist version of the blessing before Torah reading in American Sign Language, which is especially helpful for those who are deaf or hard of hearing and those seeking to make their