Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Bringing the Torah to the Bima: A. Keil Erech Apayim: The prayer of Keil Erech Apayim is recited on Mondays and Thursdays prior to taking out the Sefer Torah.[1] Fast day: Some[2] are accustomed to recite Keil Erech Apayim prior to Kerias Hatorah on fast days, even if it does […]

The Baal Korei: A. Who: Child:[1] A child below the age of Bar Mitzvah is not a valid Baal Korei. Baal Korei in middle of Davening: A Baal Korei who is in the middle of Davening may read the Torah for the congregation if there is no one else available. […]

Who may receive an Aliya? A. General laws: One who is illiterate: Although the Olah is to silently read along together with the Baal Korei, word for word[1], nevertheless, it is permitted to give an individual an Aliya even if he is unable to read along with the Baal Korei, […]

Called person up and he is not in Shul:[1] If the Gabaiy called up a Kohen, or Levi, and the person is not in Shul or is in the midst of Shemoneh Esrei, then another person is to go up in his place. That person is to go up without […]

Aliyos for Kohen and Levi: A. General laws: Kohen/Levi: The order of Aliyos is first Kohen, then Levi and then Yisrael.[1] The Chabad custom is to be very particular in this matter.[2] Nonetheless, in mitigating circumstances, the custom is to ask the Kohen to leave the Shul in order to […]

Going up for an Aliya: Wearing a Tallis Gadol for an Aliya: The age old Chabad custom of many generations is not to require one to wear a Tallis Gadol for an Aliya or to read the Torah.[1] Nevertheless, in a Shul which is particular for the Baal Korei and […]

Being shown the reading and kissing the gartel/Tzitzis:[1] The Olah is to be shown the text that will be read in the Sefer Torah.[2] The custom is to place the gartel of the Sefer Torah, or one’s Tzitzis, on the area of the reading and then kiss it in that […]

The before Blessing The blessing:[1] One recites a blessing before and after the Torah reading.[2] Holding onto the handles:[3] One holds on to the handles of the Sefer Torah while saying the blessing[4], his right hand on the right handle, and his left hand on the left handle.[5] There is […]

Reading along: The Olah is initially required to read along together with the Chazan word by word in a low tone[1], unless he is in the middle of Shema or its blessings, in which case he is not to read along. Nevertheless, it is permitted to give an individual an […]

The Seder of an Aliya: A. Going up for an Aliya: Wearing a Tallis Gadol for an Aliya: The age old Chabad custom of many generations is not to require one to wear a Tallis Gadol for an Aliya or to read the Torah.[1] Nevertheless, in a Shul which is […]

Covering head with Tallis: It is the custom of those particular in Mitzvos, and of all the Chassidim[1], to cover their head with the Tallis Gadol throughout the entire period of time that they are wearing it, in order so their head is not uncovered for even one moment.[2] Doing […]

Should one stand during Kerias Hatorah?[1]   The congregation is not required to stand during the Torah reading [and so is the widespread custom[2], and so is the ruling according to Kabbala[3]].[4] However, there are some who are stringent[5] to stand [during the actual Torah reading, although even they are […]

Leaving Shul:[1] It is forbidden to leave the Shul [once] the Sefer Torah is opened [until the completion of the reading, even if there are another ten people in Shul and he already heard the reading]. [In a time of great need[2], however], one may leave in-between Aliyos. ________________________________________________ [1] […]

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 […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me on Amazon.com Bringing a Sefer Torah from one area to another for the sake of Kerias Hatorah: A. The general law:[1] Bringing it to a private Minyan:[2] It is forbidden to remove a Sefer Torah from a Shul for the sake of […]

The Mitzvah & its general laws: A. The Mitzvah:[1] Moshe Rabbeinu established for the Jewish people that they are to read from the Torah scroll on Shabbos, Yom Tov, Yom Kippur, Rosh Chodesh, Chol Hamoed, Monday’s and Thursday’s. [This reading is of Rabbinical status.[2]] Ezra established for the Torah to […]