When the Torah is read publicly in the synagogue (on Shabbat, Mondays and Thursdays, holidays and fast days), the men are called to a Aliyah. Originally, the called person would read a paragraph himself, but due to a lack of training to "sing" the reading, nowadays a "reader" is designated who reads the paragraph aloud while the called person reads it in a low voice (or listens).
Aliyah It means “ascent,” referring not only to climbing onto the reading platform (since in many synagogues the reading platform is higher than the floor level), but also to a spiritual elevation. Our sages explain that God is constantly speaking words of Torah, so when a person receives a Aliyah, God is speaking through him.
You must have aliot on the following occasions:
- The Shabbat before the wedding.
- At, or after, the Bar Mitzvah.
- On, or before, the Hebrew birthday of iortzait (anniversary of death) of the father or mother and the British (circumcision) of a son.
The synagogue leader (gabaiThe name of the person and their father are announced in Hebrew. If there is a Cohen, he is always honored first, and a Levi second. It is customary to wear a Tallit to receive a Aliyah.
The person getting on stands to the right of the "reader," who will indicate the beginning and end of the section to be read. These points are touched with the tip of the Tallit (or with the Torah belt) and kiss it. The Torah is closed, its two handles are held, and the first blessing is recited.
The handle of the Torah is held during the reading. If possible, the words being read should be spoken aloud.
When the reading is finished, the end and beginning of the paragraph are touched again with the Tallit (or Torah belt) and the second blessing is recited.
After the Aliyah, The person called stands to the right of the reading table and only steps down after the next Aliyah.