Children: [1]
The letter of the law:[2] Every person is valid to receive an Aliyah on Shabbos, and be counted as one of the seven required Aliyos, including even a child [who is below Bar Mitzvah but] who is of age to understand who he is blessing. This applies even though children are not obligated in this Mitzvah [of Kerias Hatorah being that they are exempt from all Mitzvos].[3] [However, on Yom Tov, and any other day of the Torah reading, some Poskim[4] rule that children are invalid to receive an Aliyah.]
How many Aliyos may be given to children:[5] A child can only be called for an Aliyah if [adults are called for the other Aliyos, and] they thus join with the adults [for the total of seven Aliyos]. However, one cannot call up children for all the Aliyos, being that they are not obligated in the Mitzvah.
The custom today:[6] Today the custom is no longer to call up children [below Bar Mitzvah] for an Aliyah [not even Hosafos[7]], with exception to Maftir [and Simchas Torah[8]], as will be explained. This applies even if the child is a Kohen and there is no other Kohen present in Shul, nevertheless the custom is to call up a Yisrael in place of a Kohen.[9] [However, amongst Sephardic communities, some are accustomed to be lenient to call up a child for an Aliyah even today if it is a time of need.[10] Other Sephardic communities, however, are stringent as stated above.[11] Likewise, some places are accustomed to ask a child who is a Kohen to leave the room in order for a Yisrael to be called up.[12] According to all, Bedieved if a child was called up for an Aliyah, it is valid.[13]]
Maftir:[14] A child [who is below Bar Mitzvah but] who is of age to understand who he is blessing[15] may receive the Aliyah of Maftir. This applies not only for Maftir of Shabbos, in which the Maftir simply repeats that which was already read in Shevi’i, but even applies [on Yom Tov] when the Musafim offerings are read for Maftir, and applies when Rosh Chodesh that falls on Shabbos, and by the four Parshiyos. This applies even for Parshas Zachor, as explained next. [Although some are stringent regarding Maftir of Shevi’i Shel Pesach, Shavuos, and Shabbos Shuva, as explained below regarding the Haftorah.] In all these cases he may get the Aliyah of Maftir if he is of age to understand who he is blessing [and knows to read along in the Sefer Torah with the Baal Korei[16], and say the Haftorah properly[17]]. [Practically, although this is the letter of the law, the widespread Ashkenazi custom today is to no longer call up a child for Maftir with exception to Maftir of Shabbos.[18] Accordingly, many communities are accustomed to call up a child for Maftir on Shabbos by the Maftir before his Bar Mitzvah.[19] Practically, the custom amongst Chassidim is not to call up a child below Bar Mitzvah for any Maftir, with exception to extraordinary circumstances.[20] This applies even to the Shabbos prior to the Bar Mitzvah.[21]]
Maftir of Parshas Zachor:[22] If the child knows the meaning behind the Brachos recited before and after the reading, then he may receive the Aliyah and have a Gadol read the portion.[23] [Practically, we do not call up a child for Maftir of Zachar, although if he was already called up then he may receive the Aliyah.[24]]
Haftorah:[25] A child who knows how to read and to pronounce the words properly, and knows to whom he is saying the blessing [i.e. that he is blessing G-d], is able to [receive the Aliyah of Maftir, as stated above and] say the Haftorah from the Navi. However, some are accustomed to being stringent regarding the reading of Merkavas Yechezkel which is read on Shavuos, and the Shira of David which is read on the seventh day of Pesach to only call up an adult to read.[26] Some are accustomed to do so also for the Haftorah of Shabbos Shuva.[27]
Child above Bar Mitzvah:[28] A child above the age of Mitzvos may receive an Aliyah even if one is unsure if he has grown two pubic hairs.
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Summary: Although from the letter of the law a child who is of age of Chinuch may receive an Aliyah despite being below the age of Bar Mitzvah, practically, it is no longer customary for children to be given Aliyos to the Torah with exception to Maftir in which case some communities are lenient, especially by the Shabbos prior to the Bar Mitzvah. The Chabad custom is to be stringent in this matter at all times and to never call a child below the age of Mitzvos for any Aliyah. |
[1] See Admur 282:5-7; 16; Ketzos Hashulchan 85:4; Piskeiy Teshuvos 135:22; 282:5; 282:8 in length
[2] Admur 282:5; 53:13 “A Katan may receive an Aliyah”; Michaber 282:3; Rambam Tefilla 12:17; Megillah 23a “Everyone counts for the seven Aliyos including a child” and Mishneh 24a “A child may read from the Torah and translate”; Yerushalmi Brachos 7b; See Hagahos Maimanis Tefilla 12:17 that if there are no Yisraeilim in the Minyan then one is to call up a child or woman
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule a child may only receive the Aliyah of Shevi’i and onwards. [Olas Tamid 282:3; Birkeiy Yosef 282:5; Kaf Hachaim 282:22 based on Arizal that a woman may only be called up for Shevi’i] Other Poskim rule that a child may only receive an Aliyah from after Shelishi. [M”A 282:5; M”B 282:11; Pirush Hamishnayos on Megillah 24a; Bartanura on Mishneh ibid; Mileches Shlomo in name of Rav Nasan Baal Ha’aruch]
The Tzemach Tzedek receives an Aliyah at age three: The day after Yom Kippur in the year 1792, was the day of his Hachnasas Lacheder for the Tzemach Tzedek, and in its honor, he received the Aliyah of Shelishi in Parshas Ha’azinu. This occurred just after the Tzemach Tzedek turned three years old the previous Erev Rosh Hashanah. He went up for the Aliyah together with his Melamed. [Sefer Hatoldos Tzemach Tzedek]
[3] The reason: Although a child who is not obligated in the Mitzvah cannot for the obligation for anyone else, nevertheless, [since] today the Baal Korei reads it aloud on behalf of the congregation and fulfills their obligation for them, [therefore there is no issue with a child getting an Aliyah]. [Admur 282:16 regarding Zachar] Now, although the congregation cannot be Yotzei a blessing from a child, nevertheless, he may receive an Aliyah being that in truth there is no obligation upon the public to say the Bracha but only for the person receiving the Aliyah. [Admur 53:13] The reason for this is because the blessing was not instituted for the sake of the congregation but rather due to that it is proper for one who reads from the Torah to recite a blessing. Now, although it is an obligation upon the congregation to hear the blessing being said [as explained in 139:6] nevertheless the main part of the blessing is on his own behalf and not on behalf of the congregation. [Admur 124:11]
[4] Olas Tamid 282:3; Birkeiy Yosef 282:5; Kaf Hachaim 282:22 based on Arizal that a woman may only be called up for Shevi’i
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule a child may be called up for an Aliyah even on Yom Tov. [Opinion in Birkeiy Yosef ibid]
[5] Admur 282:5; Rama 282:3; Rivash 326; Ran Megillah 13a
[6] Admur 282:7; M”A 282:6; Elya Raba 282:6; Tosefes Shabbos 282:7; Mateh Yehuda 282:6; M”B 282:12; Shaar Hatziyon 225:7; Kaf Hachaim 282:24; See Radbaz 1:566 as explains Levush Serud on M”A ibid versus Machatzis Hashekel ibid if a child may be called up for Kohen
[7] M”A 282:6; M”B 282:12; Kaf Hachaim 282:24
[8] Shaareiy Efraim 1:29; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid; Children are customarily called up for the Aliyah of Kol Hanearim
[9] Admur ibid; M”A ibid; All Poskim ibid; See Shaareiy Efraim 1:29
The reason: There is no prohibition transgressed of not distributing honor to the priesthood by not calling up a Katan who is a Kohen, for the Aliyah of Kohen. The reason for this is because, although from the letter of the law a child who is a Kohen may receive the Aliyah, we are not obligated at all to honor a children who are Kohanim, as the positive command of Vekidashtem [Vayikra 21:8; See Admur 128:60; 201:3] only applies to adult Kohanim, as the verse [Vayikra ibid] states “As the bread of G-d he is offering” and a child is invalid for bringing an offering. [Admur ibid; M”A ibid; See Chulin 24b]
[10] Yechaveh Daas 2:15 and 4:23 based on Sephardi Poskim; However,
[11] See Kaf Hachaim ibid and the Poskim he brings who do not differentiate between Sephardim and Ashkenazim; Yaskil Avid 7:6; 8:36; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid
[12] Yalkut Yosef 135 footnote 40
[13] Kaf Hachaim 282:22; Piskeiy Teshuvos 282:5
[14] Admur 282:16; Rama 282:4; Mordechai Remez 409; Maharam Merothenberg 110; Bach 282; M”A 282:12; Taz 685:2
Other opinions: Some Poskim write that a Katan is not to receive an Aliyah for any of the four Parshiyos. [Opinion brought in Rama ibid; Elya Raba 282:8; Perach Shushan 1:8; Ginas Veradim 1:37; Rav Akiva Eiger 282; Shaareiy Efraim 9:3; Likkutei Maharich; Aruch Hashulchan 282:16 that so is custom; Luach Eretz Yisrael of Rav Tukichinsky; See Biur Halacha 282 “Oa”]
[15] Admur ibid; Taz 685:2; Bach 282; See M”A 282:12 that it refers to the age of Chinuch when the child knows to say the words properly
[16] Biur Halacha 282 “Oa”
[17] See Admur 282:8-9
[18] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 282:8 that one is not to call up a child for any Aliyah of Maftir with exception to Maftir of Shabbos in which the reading is repeated; However, see there that they should not be called up for special Maftir’s, such as Shabbos Yisro and Shabbos Chazon
[19] See Tzitz Eliezer 7:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 282:8 and footnote 87 and 92 that the Shabbos before the Bar Mitzvah some say one may be lenient even regarding Maftir of the four Parshiyos.]
[20] Toras Menachem 5745 4:2334 [printed in Shulchan Menachem 2:95]; See also Makor Chaim [Chavos Yair] 282 in name of Seder Hayom that it is not proper to ever give a child Maftir; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 282:8
[21] Igros Kodesh 17:87
[22] Admur 282:16; Rama 282:4; Taz 282:3; 685:2; Bach 282; Birkeiy Yosef 284:2; Chayeh Adam 31:39; Ketzos Hashulchan 88:1; See Kaf Hachaim 685:31; Leket Yosher p. 154
Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule that a child cannot receive the Aliyah for Zachor, being that the reading is Biblical. [Rashal; Opinion brought in Rama ibid; Elya Raba 282:8; Derech Hachaim; Shaareiy Efraim 9:3; Kitzur SHU”A 79:9; M”B 282:23; Piskeiy Teshuvos 282:8]
[23] The reason: Although the Parsha of Zachar is a Biblical obligation for every Jewish person hear, and a child who is not obligated in the Mitzvah cannot for the obligation for anyone else, nevertheless, [since] today the Baal Korei reads it aloud on behalf of the congregation and fulfills their obligation for them, [therefore there is no issue with a child getting an Aliyah]. [Admur ibid; M”B 282:23]
[24] Birkeiy Yosef 284:2; Kaf Hachaim 282:40; Piskeiy Teshuvos 282:8
[25] Admur 284:8; Michaber 284:4; Mishneh Megillah 24a; M”A 282:12
[26] Admur ibid; M”A ibid; See also Admur 494:5
[27] Admur ibid; M”A ibid; Maharil Aseres Yimei Teshuvah; Kneses Hagedola 602; Mateh Moshe 833
[28] Shaareiy Efraim 3:29; Ketzos Hashulchan 85:4; See Yalkut Kerias Hatorah p. 1348
Other customs: Some communities are accustomed to only give Aliyos to men who are married. [Rashbatz 2:261, brought in Kaf Hachaim 282:24; Piskeiy Teshuvos 282 footnote 51]