Torah Blessings
Torah Blessings: Being Called to the Torah
You are being called for the Honor of Blessing the Torah.
The Torah service begins about midway through the service. After the Torah has been removed from the Ark, brought forward and unrolled on the center table of the bimah (the raised pulpit area), the rabbi will speak briefly to the congregation. The cantor will then call the people forward in turn. The rabbi will announce each person’s English name. When the rabbi calls your name, please come forward promptly, approaching the bimah on the rabbi’s side. Take your place next to the person reading the Torah on his/her right-hand side.
Men and women are both strongly encouraged to wear a tallit when called for an aliyah at Beth Am (tallitot are available at the entrance to the sanctuary). If you wear a tallit, you may wish to follow the traditional practice of touching the open Torah (at the place where the reader will begin) with one of the tzitzit (the fringes at the corners of the tallit), then kissing the fringe. The Blessing before the Reading of the Torah is then recited. You need not bring a copy of the blessings up to the bimah with you as there is a copy on the table, in large type, in both Hebrew and transliteration. However, if you are more comfortable doing so, you certainly may. We strongly encourage those who do not recite the blessings regularly to practice them ahead of time in order to reduce nervousness. Feel free to ask a friend, a family member, one of the rabbis, or the cantor for a refresher on the words or melody.
When you finish the blessing after the reading, please shake hands with the rabbi, then move to the other side of the reading table and stand next to the cantor. Remain there until the next person completes the blessings and comes to that spot. Shake hands with that person and return to your seat unless you have the final aliyah. In that case, please remain where you are until the Torah and its covering have been carried away. Then return to your seat.
Mazal tov and thank you for helping make the service a beautiful and meaningful one.
Below you will find Torah blessings for before and after reading from the Torah:
Torah Blessings for BEFORE Reading from the Torah
The texts instructions below are also available as a downloadable pdf: Torah Blessings download
Blessing for BEFORE Reading from the Torah (Audio)
This audio file is in mp3 format and should be playable in any media player. If you're having difficulty, you can download QuickTime.
Each person called up to the reading of the Torah touches it with tzitzit (the fringes of the tallit), kisses the tzitzit, holds the handles of the Torah and says:
Reader: Ba-r’chu et Adonai ha-me-vo-rach! Praise Adonai, to whom our praise is due! |
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Torah Blessings for AFTER Reading from the Torah
Blessing for AFTER Reading from the Torah (Audio)
This audio file is in mp3 format and should be playable in any media player. If you're having difficulty, you can download QuickTime.
Ba-ruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu meh-lech ha-o-lam, Blessed are You, Eternal One, our God, Sovereign of the world, who has given us a Torah of |
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Sun, February 5 2023
14 Sh'vat 5783
Worship Schedule
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Thursday ,
FebFebruary 9 , 2023Thursday Morning Minyan
Thursday, Feb 9th 8:00a to 9:00a
These services are led by members of the congregation — all are welcome. -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 10 , 2023Erev Shabbat Service
Friday, Feb 10th 6:15p to 7:30p
Our worship services are musical, participatory and informal in spirit; they focus on helping us experience the spiritual renewal, peace, joy and sense of celebration that Shabbat can bring. -
Saturday ,
FebFebruary 11 , 2023Shabbat Morning Service: Bar Mitzvah Zdrodowski
Shabbat, Feb 11th 10:30a to 12:30p
All are welcome and encouraged to join the family of our Bar Mitzvah in worship and celebration. -
Saturday ,
FebFebruary 11 , 2023Torah Minyan Shabbat Morning Service
Shabbat, Feb 11th 10:30a to 11:30a
Join Beth Am clergy and/or lay leaders for a musical Shabbat morning worship service focused on learning and spiritual growth. -
Thursday ,
FebFebruary 16 , 2023Thursday Morning Minyan
Thursday, Feb 16th 8:00a to 9:00a
These services are led by members of the congregation — all are welcome. -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 17 , 2023Erev Shabbat Service With Akselrad Guest Lecturer Shira Zemel
Friday, Feb 17th 6:15p to 7:30p
Beth Am welcomes Shria Zemel, the Director of the Abortion Access Campaign for the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), as our 5783 Akselrad Lecturer. This lecture is our annual tribute to our Rabbi Emeritus Sidney Akselrad (z"l), who dedicated his career to the pursuit of justice, dignity and civil rights for all. -
Saturday ,
FebFebruary 18 , 2023Shabbat Morning Service: Bar Mitzvah Tivol
Shabbat, Feb 18th 10:30a to 12:30p
All are welcome and encouraged to join the family of our Bar Mitzvah in worship and celebration. -
Saturday ,
FebFebruary 18 , 2023Torah Minyan Shabbat Morning Service
Shabbat, Feb 18th 10:30a to 11:30a
Join Beth Am clergy and/or lay leaders for a musical Shabbat morning worship service focused on learning and spiritual growth. -
Thursday ,
FebFebruary 23 , 2023Thursday Morning Minyan
Thursday, Feb 23rd 8:00a to 9:00a
These services are led by members of the congregation — all are welcome. -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 24 , 2023Tot Shabbat: Story Time, Songs and Shabbat
Friday, Feb 24th 5:15p to 6:15p
Join Beth Am clergy for a short story and a few songs! A nice way to start your Shabbat. This event is for families with children ages 0-5 years.