Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Paying attention to the reading: One is to have a Chumash open in front of him and follow the reading during Kerias Hatorah.[1] Some are accustomed to read along silently with the Baal Korei to help them concentrate.[2] Others, however, rule that one is to remain silent, and read along […]

Talking during Kerias Hatorah:[1] Once the reader has begun to read the Torah it is forbidden for the congregants to speak.[2] [Furthermore, some Poskim[3] rule that even prior to the start of the reading, once the Sefer Torah is opened, it is forbidden to speak.] Words of Torah:[4] It is […]

Laws for congregation during reading: A. General laws: Paying attention to the reading: One is to have a Chumash open in front of him and follow the reading during Kerias Hatorah.[1] Some are accustomed to read along silently with the Baal Korei to help them concentrate.[2] Others[3], however, rule that […]

Covering the Torah Between Aliyos: The Sefaradi custom is to [leave the Sefer Torah open[1] but to] cover the Sefer Torah between the Aliyos.[2] The Ashkenazi custom is for the Sefer Torah to remain closed between Aliyos [and not covered[3]].[4] Practically, the widespread Ashkenazi custom today is to both close […]

The order of the Aliyos:[1] Customarily, all Chumashim today contain stopping points for each Aliya; Levi, Yisrael, Sheiyni Shelishi, etc. Interestingly, the allocation of the grouping of verses that belong to each Aliya contains no source in Halachic literature, neither the Talmud or Poskim. Some Poskim[2] even attribute the distributions […]

When to correct a Baal Korei for making mistakes in the reading:[1] *This Halacha only discusses mispronunciations and mistakes in the Taamim. For missed words or letters-See Halacha 2! Mistake in vowelization or tune; Mistakes that change the meaning of the word:[2] If the Baal Korei mispronounced a letter or […]

Found mistake in the Torah:[1] One is required to read from a Kosher Sefer Torah.[2] If an invalidating mistake was found in the Torah, then it is to be closed and a new Sefer Torah is to be brought. One never continues the reading in the invalid Sefer Torah once […]

Mistakes in the reading: A. General laws: Mispronunciation:[1] If the Baal Korei mispronounced a letter or word, then the Ashkenazi custom is that if it changes the meaning of the word, he must repeat it. If it does not change the meaning of the word, he is not to repeat […]

Half Kaddish: Half Kaddish:[1] After the completion of the reading, Half Kaddish is recited. The custom is to cover the Sefer Torah while it is recited. When:[2] On Shabbos and Yom Tov, the Kaddish is recited prior to Maftir. On all other days of reading, the Kaddish is said after […]

Hagbah:[1] Selling the honor:[2] It is customary to sell the honor of Hagba/Gelila for large sums of money. Sefaradim lift the Sefer Torah prior to the reading[3], and so is the custom of many Ashkenazim in Eretz Yisrael.[4] The widespread Ashkenazi custom is to lift it after Keiras Hatorah.[5] Touching […]