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 no need to hold it with a Tallis or other intervening substance.[6]  After the blessing, one lets go of his left hand, and remains holding onto the right handle.[7]

Touching the Sefer Torah:[8] It is forbidden to touch the parchment of the Sefer Torah without a cloth. This applies even if one washed his hands.[9]

Closing it:[10] After one kisses the Tzitzis/gartel he is to close the Sefer Torah and say the blessing. 

Turning one’s face:[11] While saying the first blessing the custom is to turn one’s face to the left side, so it does not appear as if one is reading the blessings from the Sefer Torah. [The Chabad custom is to turn the face slightly to the right side.[12]]

Lifting the Torah: Upon saying the words “Nasan Lanu” one is to slightly shake [i.e. lift] the Torah.[13] The Chabad custom is to do so upon saying Hashem’s name in the blessing. The Rebbe was seen to lift the Torah several times during the before blessing.

Answering to Barchu: After the Olah recites Barchu, the congregation and Olah repeat and says Baruch Hashem Hamevorach Leolam Vaed.[14] The Olah is to repeat it after the conclusion of the congregation.[15] According to Admur in his Siddur, one is to repeat it at the same time as the congregation.[16] However, the Rebbe was accustomed to repeat it only after the congregation.

Mistake in blessing:[17] If one accidently recited the blessing of Asher Nasan Lanu instead of Bachar Banu, then if he did not mention Hashem’s name in the concluding stanza of the blessing, he is to go back and recite the correct words of Asher Bachar Banu. If, however he already said Hashem’s name in the blessing, then he is to conclude “Nosein Hatorah” and he fulfills his obligation. In such a case, by the after blessing he is to recite the blessing of Asher Nasan Lanu.

Answering Amen: The congregation, including the Baal Korei, must answer Amen to the blessing of the Olah in close approximation to its conclusion. Nevertheless, the custom is for the Baal Korei to drag out the Amen more than the rest of the congregation, in order to summon their attention to the start of the reading.[18] It is however forbidden for the Baal Korei to delay beginning the Amen until the congregation concludes its Amen, as it must be in approximation to the conclusion of the blessing.[19]

The after blessing:

After the reading, the Olah recites an after blessing.[20] The Olah is to kiss the gartel/Tztzis prior to the blessing.[21] The Chabad custom is to place the Tzitzis/gartle on the concluding and then beginning area of the reading and then kiss that area.[22] The Rebbe was accustomed to place the Tallis on the end, beginning, and then end of the reading, or beginning, end and then beginning of the reading, and then kiss the Tallis.[23] One is to then close the Sefer Torah[24], turn to his right side[25], and say the after blessing of Asher Nasan Lanu. Upon saying the words “Nasan Lanu” one is to slightly shake [i.e. lift] the Torah.[26] The Chabad custom is to do so upon saying Hashem’s name in the blessing. The Rebbe was seen to lift the Torah three times during the after blessing, the opening and closing of Hashem’s name and by “Toras Emes”.[27]

Mistake in blessing:[28] If one accidently recited the blessing of Asher Bachar Banu instead of Nasan Lanu, then if he did not mention Hashem’s name in the concluding stanza of the blessing, he is to go back and recite the correct words of Asher Bachar Banu. If, however he already said Hashem’s name in the blessing [i.e. Baruch Ata Hashem] and remembered right away, then he is to immediately continue “Elokeinu Melech Haolam Asher Nasan Lanu.” If, however, he already concluded the blessing then he is to repeat the after blessing of Asher Nasan Lanu from the beginning.

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[1] Ketzos Hashulchan 25:6

[2] Michaber 139:4 and 8

[3] Ketzos Hashulchan 25:6

[4] Michaber 139:11; Taz 139:9; M”A 139:13; Sefer Haminhagim p. 13; Shulchan Menachem 1:260

[5] M”A 139:13

[6] P”M 139 A”A 10; The Rebbe did not use a Tallis when he got an Aliyah; The Rebbe Rayatz however, did hold on with a Tallis.

[6] M”A 139:13; See Sefer Haminhagim p. 13; Shulchan Menachem 1:260

The custom of the Rebbe Rayatz: The Rebbe Rayatz was accustomed to hold on with a Tallis.

[7] M”A 139:13

[8] Michaber 147:1

[9] Rama ibid

[10] Michaber 139:4 regarding the after blessing; Sefer Haminhagim p. 13; Shulchan Menachem 1:260

Other opinions: [Rama ibid]

[11] Rama 139:4

[12] Sefer Haminhagim p. 13; Shulchan Menachem 1:260; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 139 Footnote 62

[13] Ketzos Hashulchan 25:7

[14] Michaber 139:7

[15] Michaber 139:7

[16] Siddur Admur regarding Barchu; Ketzos Hashulchan 25:7; Sefer Haminhagim p. 10; See Siddur of Rav Raskin p. 88 and Miluim 13

[17] Ketzos Hashulchan 25:7

[18] Ketzos Hashulchan 25:9

[19] Admur 124:1; Michaber 124:8; Brachos 47a

[20] Michaber 139:4 and 10

[21] Ketzos Hashulchan 25:6

[22] Sefer Haminhagim p. 13; Shulchan Menachem 1:260

[23] In some videos the Rebbe is seen to touch the beginning, end and then beginning also by the after blessing.

[24] Michaber 139:4; Ketzos Hashulchan 25:6

[25] Sefer Haminhagim p. 13; Shulchan Menachem 1:260

[26] Ketzos Hashulchan 25:12

[27] https://www.chabad.org/therebbe/livingtorah/player_cdo/aid/2969753/jewish/Torah-Reading.htm

[28] Ketzos Hashulchan 25:12

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