HAVING AN ALIYAH TO THE TORAH AT CAH

“Having an aliyah” is the honor of reciting the blessings over the Torah and standing at the bimah while it is read. Aliyah (plural, aliyot), means “going up,” refers most especially to the spiritual uplifting associated with participation in this hallowed ritual.

To “have an aliyah,” you should wear a proper head covering and a tallit. The head covering is usually a kippah (called a yarmulke in Yiddish), a “shul” hat, or a doily. The tallit is a prayer shawl. If you do not have a kippah or a tallit, CAH has some in our lobby. Most worshipers will be wearing both on Shabbat (Saturday) mornings, but CAH protocols, based on long-standing Jewish tradition, require these for having the honor of an aliyah to the Torah.

You will be given a laminated sheet with your aliyah number on it and the transliterated prayers, you should take this card with you to the music stand or have it at your seat.

When your aliyah is called, please go to the music stand, if possible. If not, you are welcome to do the aliyah at your seat and, from there, it is better to rise, if possible.

BLESSING BEFORE THE TORAH READING (please see new audio posted with these blessing):

Honoree begins here:

בָּרכוּ את יְיָ המברך

 Ba-r’chu et A-d-nai ha-m’vo-rach

[Praise A-d-nai, the Blessed One.]

Congregation Recites the following

בָּרוּךְ יְיָ המברך לעולם ועד

 Baruch A-d-nai ham’vorach l’olam va-ed

 [Praised be A-d-nai, who is blessed for ever and ever.]

Honoree repeats the above line, then continues:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בָּנוּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים

 וְנָתַן לָנוּ אֶת תּוֹרָתוֹ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה

Baruch Ata A-d-nai, E-l-heinu melech ha-olam,

asher bachar banu mi-kol ha-amim v’natan lanu et Torah-to.

Baruch Ata A-d-nai, notein ha-Torah.

 [Blessed are You, A-d-nai our G!d, Ruler of the universe,

who has chosen us from among all the nations, providing us with the Torah.

Blessed are You, A-d-nai, Provider of the Torah.]

While the Torah is being read, please face the Torah scroll.

AFTER THE TORAH READING:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר נתן לנוּ תורת אמת

 וְחיי עולם נטע בתוכנו. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה

 Baruch Ata A-d-nai, E-l-heinu melech ha-olam,

asher natan lanu Torat emet, v’cha-yei olam nata b’to-cheinu.

Baruch Ata A-d-nai, notein ha-Torah.

[Blessed are You, A-d-nai our G!d, Ruler of the universe, who has given us the Torah of truth,  implanting within us eternal life. Blessed are You, A-d-nai, Provider of the Torah.]

You may return to your seat.