Kahal Shabbat Honors -What are they?

 

Ashrei

Ashrei is one of the most known acrostic introductory psalms in the liturgy. Kahal recites this responsively in Hebrew led usually by a younger member of Kahal, but sometimes by adults. The songleader will ask for volunteers for this honor at the appropriate point in the liturgy

Family to Open the Ark

At the beginning of the Torah service, we invite a family to open the Ark and to carry the Torah in procession around the room.  During the Torah procession, the person carrying the Torah goes up and down the aisles so that people can touch the Torah cover with their prayer book or with a corner of their Tallit.  The family that opens the Ark will also be called up at the end of the Torah service to re-open the Ark so that the Torah can be returned to the Ark.


Gabbai

The Gabbai is in charge of leading and calling up the Torah and Haftarah reading with thier associated blessings, including the Mi Sherbeirach prayer for healing. The Gabbai may also helps Torah readers who need help with pronunciation or intonation. This position requires training and a knowledge of Hebrew pronunciation.

English Torah Reader

At Beth Emet, each week we read one third of the total Torah portion on a tri-ennial cycle.  So at the end of a three year period we have read all verses of the Torah.  The English Torah Reader starts where the Hebrew Torah reader has left off and completes the tri-ennial portion. 

First, Second, and Third Aliyah

The Aliyah is the honor of saying the blessings before and after the reading of the Torah portion.  At Kahal, we divide the Torah portion into two Hebrew and one English sections and we have three Aliyot.  You can chant or read the Torah blessings.  Even if you have done said the blessings many times, it is customary to look at the blessing while reciting it.  A printed copy of the blessings is available on a laminated  sheet on the Bimah.

It is nice to say an Aliyah to commemorate an event in your life, for example a birthday or an anniversary or another significant event of your own choosing.  Two people can share one Aliyah to celebrate an occasion together.  When you sign up for an Aliyah, you need to provide your Hebrew name followed by the Hebrew word ben (son of) or bat (daughter of) and the Hebrew names of your parents.


Hagbah (lift Torah)

 After the Torah is read, it is lifted up high and shown to the congregation.  Three columns are usually displayed.  The person who volunteers for Hagbah needs to be steady on his or her feet, but be assured that others will help to make sure the Torah is well supported as it is lifted and as it is lowered.  The person who performs the Hagbah honor will sit on the Bimah and hold the Torah during the rest of the Torah service. After the Torah service is over, the person will return the Torah to the Ark.


Galila (dress Torah)

After the Torah is lowered, the person who volunteers for Galila helps to wind the Torah and then attaches the velvet belt, puts the Torah cover on the Torah and puts the Yad (pointer) on the Torah roller.


Haftarah Blesser

The person who volunteers for this honor will chant the Haftarah blessing before and after the Haftarah is read.


Haftarah Reader

Each week, in addition to reading from the Torah, we read the Haftarah.  The Haftarah is a prescribed section from the Prophets (Nevi’im) that is related to the weekly Torah portion. The Haftarah can be read in English or Hebrew or a combination, part English and part Hebrew.  You can chant the Haftarah if you feel comfortable doing so.  If you want to chant the Haftarah in Hebrew, and need a tape of the Haftarah trope (the specific melodies that are to be used). please sign up on the Bulletin Board and someone will provide you with a tape.