Aliyah (Torah honor)

In synagogue, the Torah is read publicly and several people are called up one after another. Each “goes up” (aliyah comes from the Hebrew verb for ascending) to the bimah, the reading platform, and recites the blessings before and after the portion that is read. Being called is an honor. It is given at a family celebration, a yahrzeit, a return, a birth, or an upcoming wedding. A bar mitzvah is the occasion where it takes on its fullest meaning for a boy.

1When is the Torah read?

Maimonides (Laws of Prayer 12:1) reports that Moses instituted the public reading of the Torah on Shabbat, Monday, and Thursday mornings, so the people would never go three days without hearing it, and that Ezra added the Shabbat afternoon reading. On Monday and Thursday three people are called and no fewer than ten verses are read. The Shulchan Arukh (Orach Chayim 135:1) confirms the number three for Monday, Thursday, and Shabbat afternoon, without a reading from the Prophets.

2Seven called up on Shabbat

On Shabbat morning the Mishnah (Megillah 4:2) sets seven readers, followed by a reading from the Prophets (the haftarah). The Shulchan Arukh (Orach Chayim 282:1) repeats it: “We bring out a Torah scroll and seven read from it. And if one wants to add, one adds.” Whether more than seven are called depends on each community’s custom. The same Mishnah gives the number for other days: four on Rosh Chodesh and Chol HaMoed, five on Yom Tov, six on Yom Kippur.

The order is fixed: a Kohen first, then a Levi, then Yisraelim (Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 135:3); see our Kohen entry. If no Kohen or Levi is present, the rabbi or gabbai applies local rules.

3Across communities

• Sephardic and Mizrahi families: the call often has a warm, communal feel, with songs and blessings from the family. Specific details (how the name is called, pledges) vary from place to place.
• Ashkenazi families: the person is called by Hebrew first name and their father’s name. Variations exist from one community to another.
• Israelis, secular or traditional: many come to synagogue mainly for a bar mitzvah or a celebration. The gabbai walks anyone unfamiliar through what to do.
• By your community’s custom: the role of women in the reading differs. In some communities women are called up, in others they are not. Find out before you invite.

4The bar mitzvah aliyah

By custom, a boy is called to the Torah for the first time at his bar mitzvah, either with an aliyah or by reading the parashah or haftarah himself (depending on family and community, he reads all or part of the portion). When the bar mitzvah falls on Shabbat, it is a highlight of the service. Depending on the family, grandparents, uncles, or close friends are also called for the other aliyot.

5What it means for an invitation

• Honors (aliyot, opening the ark, carrying the Torah) are assigned by the family with the gabbai. Tell the people concerned privately; leave them off the invitation.
• Do not assign a “Kohen” or “Levi” aliyah based on a surname. Ask the gabbai.
• Prepare guests who are unfamiliar with the service: arrival time, dress, and the moments when quiet is expected.
• Mention the week’s parashah if it ties into the theme of the celebration (see our parashah entry).