Moshe instituted the reading of the Torah on Saturdays, holidays, the beginning of each month, and the intermediate days of the holidays (Talmud Yerushalmi Megillah 4:1).
The Talmud also relates that Ezra (c. 450 BCE) added the Torah readings on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat afternoons.
To perform the Torah reading, a quorum of ten men over the age of thirteen (a minyan) is required. The reading is divided into "Aliyot," literally "liftings," but this refers to each individual called upon to recite the blessings and read from the Torah. To avoid embarrassment for those who cannot read the Torah, it is customary for one person to read the Torah for all those called upon.
Each reading occasion has a different amount of Aliot:
- Shabbat, 7 aliot
- Yom Kippur, 6 Aliyot
- Yom Tov (Rosh HaShanah, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, Pesach and Shavuot), 5 aliot
- Rosh Chodesh, 4 aliot
- Monday, Thursday, Shabbat afternoon, Hanukkah, Purim and fast days, 3 aliyot
On special days, a reading called "Maftir" is added. Its purpose is to remind us that for a period in history, studying Torah—the five books of Moses—was forbidden. Our sages then instituted studying a portion of the remaining books of the Prophets and Writings that are related to the weekly reading. The Maftir reads a portion of Torah and then recites a series of blessings, during which a passage from the Prophets or Writings is read.
""The Torah that Moses commanded us is the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob" (Deuteronomy 33:4). This means that the entire Torah belongs to every Jew, without exception. It is our inheritance. The idea of an inheritance is that, regardless of whether we deserve it or not, regardless of whether we can grasp its significance or not, it is given to us completely; we simply have to accept it. In other words, when one wishes to acquire something, one must pay with the fruits of one's labor in order to purchase it. This is not the case with an inheritance: without the slightest effort, one obtains it and can use it fully.
The Torah is our inheritance. We just have to take it.
The reading of the Torah http://t.co/loZZt0FTcO
The reading of the Torah http://t.co/QQwnn6TsGO
I want more information about the Talmud.
B"H
Hi Martin, I recommend reading the Wikipedia article on the Talmud https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud.
On our site you will be able to find many Talmud lessons in audio format here: https://www.tuviaserber.com/category/shiurim/talmud/
Greetings!
I really like all these teachings of Divine Wisdom. I would like to have a good spiritual guide to learn Hebrew and more about Judaism. I'm fascinated. Thank you.
I was given The Five Books of Moses and I need to know how I can read the Shabbat section for Friday and Saturday since I am just starting to learn about Judaism. .
Greetings and thank you
B"H
Hi, generally the books are separated by parashah, section. If not, you can find them here (https://www.tuviaserber.com/las-parashot-de-la-tora/) the chapters that correspond to each section.
In the Jewish calendar (http://archivos.jabadlaplata.org.ar/files/5777.pdf) you can find out which section is read each week.
Greetings!
Shalom.
I am new to Judaism and I would like to know how to pray, learn what the prayers are and the appropriate times to do them correctly.
May the Eternal One bless you, dear Rabbi.
Greetings from Ecuador
Today I found this valuable teaching, where they explain the division of the Parashat called Aliyot (elevation) and how many men should be in the meeting to perform the reading of the Torah.
When and who joined the Shabbat service on Mondays and Thursdays? Thank you Rabbi for your teaching.
May the Blessed Saint always sustain and help you in everything.