Dear B’nai Shalom Members, Families, and Friends:
Before I launch into the main topic of this bulletin article, I want to acknowledge and make a brief comment about the High Holiday services just past.
Baruch Hashem, my wife: Robin and I, have been privileged to be part of Congregation B’nai Shalom for the past eight years and have tremendously and completely been enveloped by the special fulfillment we have experienced during, and directly from, the highly-spirited services. The sights, sounds, atmosphere, feelings, and incomparable emotions that were created by this year’s High Holiday services, for me personally, far exceeded the previously-astounding services of years gone by. I was thoroughly and entirely emotionally charged by, and throughout this year’s services in a way that cannot be properly described but likely could be felt by so many others in attendance during our services. I attribute so much of this spirituality to the heartfelt chanting of our beloved Chazzan Dr. Hagay Amir and, as well, to the deep and meaningful participation of so many shul members present during the services. I, and we, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for permitting us to be part of something so extraordinary and unforgettable.
Now, on to business…I have been asked by several synagogue members to address what they have called many “B’nai Shalom myths” that have taken on a life of their own. These practices have been perpetuated by many shul attendees during synagogue services and likely believe their ritual conduct to be dictated by either Jewish law or by local, mandated custom.
One of these practices has been the belief that if one has been given an aliyah to the Torah, one must stand down, at the bottom of the bimah, waiting to hear one’s Hebrew name officially called before ascending the steps of the bimah. There is no such halacha (law) codified in any of our halachic sources. In fact, there is merit in being ready and prepared for one’s aliyah as soon as possible, approaching the bimah as soon and as quickly as possible so as to minimize the gap between the previous aliyah and one’s own. One may, and should join the gabbaim and Torah reader at the Shulchan (the Torah reading table) as soon as possible.
Another practice, not only found in B’nai Shalom services, is that of joining in with the Baal Kriya (the Torah reader) with the last several words of a concluding aliyah. The problem here is twofold: the first pertains to joining in at ALL times with the Baal Kriya (the Torah reader) with the last several words since the congregation members have a halachic (Jewish law mandate) obligation to hear the Baal Kriyah (the Torah reader) who is reading directly from the Torah in front of him. If congregation members hear the voices of others, JOINING IN, WITH the Baal Kriyah, it is possible – even likely, that the congregation members will be hearing others who are joining in, and NOT the Baal Kriyah. This is a problem. The congregation members will not have heard a complete aliyah read directly from the Torah. The practice of congregation members joining in, while done in many synagogues, and while certainly well-intentioned, potentially drowns out and overtakes the sound of the Baal Kriyah’s voice and prevents others from hearing the ENTIRE aliyah directly from the Baal Kriyah who is reading directly from the Torah.
The second problem is that if Shem HaShem, the name of G-d, is included in the last phrase or sentence of the aliyah, those joining in with the concluding passage -are now reciting a portion of a sentence and uttering G-d’s name uselessly and, unfortunately, in vain. This practice should not continue.
Another practice that has been brought to my attention is that of Leviim (those of the tribe of Levi) believing, expecting, and desiring to receive the first aliyah during Torah reading when no Kohein (those of the descendency of the High Priests — the descendants of Aaron, the first Kohein Gadol, High Priest) is present. This subject matter is discussed in detail in Rabbinic response and has been discussed at length during our weekly Torah study on Shabbat afternoons. The resolution of Rabbinic decisions is that a Levi has no more right or obligation to the first aliyah, in the absence of a present Kohein, than does any deserving Yisrael. A Levi is not entitled to receive the first aliyah in the absence of a Kohein at any time, in a more preferred manner than is any qualified Yisrael.
In addition, it has been brought to my attention that there are Leviim who believe that if a Yisrael IS called for the first aliyah when there are no Kohnaim present, that the Leviim must step out of the sanctuary. This could not be more wrong. As stated in the previous paragraph, any qualified Yisrael is as entitled to the first aliyah in the absence of a Kohein, AND, by stepping out of the sanctuary, the misinformed Levi has now missed that aliyah – an entire portion of obligatory Torah reading. Hearing the Torah read publicly is a time honored mitzvah, a mandated, performative commandment which should be fulfilled as best possible. Certainly removing oneself from the sanctuary during the Torah reading is not a recommended, worthwhile practice. And, as previously stated, there is no such Halacha (Jewish law) suggesting this practice.
As always, I look forward to seeing you all in shul.
With Torah blessings always,
Rabbi Dr. Yaacov Dvorin