Our worship services are heavily participatory. From time to time you may receive an honor and be called to help perform part of a service.
Opening the ark for the Barchu
- Approach the ark
- Open doors by pulling them sideways
- Face the ark
- The rabbi will chant the first verse, “Barchu et Adonai Hamvorah”
- The congregation chants the second verse “Baruch Adonai Hamvorah L’Olam Vaed.”
- Bow at “Baruch Adonai” and stand back up at “L’Olam Vaed”
- The rabbi will repeat the second line, remain facing the ark
- When the rabbi finishes, you may turn around and return to your seat. The rabbi may approach you to shake your hand
Aliyah (prayer before and after Torah)
- Approach the bima when your name is called
- If the rabbi/gabbai does not already have your Hebrew name, he/she may ask you for it when you approach the bima.
Before the Torah portion is read
- Touch your Tallis or the Torah belt to the Torah and then touch it to your lips (the person who is leining will point out where to touch the Torah)
- Chant the first line of the blessing for the Torah
Barchu et Adonai Hamvorah - The congregation will chant the second line
Baruch Adonai Hamvorah L’Olam Vaed - Repeat the second line (chanting) out loud
Baruch Adonai Hamvorah L’Olam Vaed - Chant the remainder of the blessing
Baruch ata Adonai. Eloheinu Meleh ha’Olam asher bachar banu mikol ha-a-meem v natan lanu et torahto. Baruch ata Adonai noten haTorah. - Listen to the blessing:
After the Torah portion is read
- Touch tallis or Torah belt to portion and then to your lips
- Chant the blessing for after the reading of the Torah
Baruch atah Adonai. Eloheinu meleh ha-olam. Asher natan lanu Torat Emet, Vichayei Olam nata B’toheinu. Baruch ata Adonai, notein haTorah. - Listen to the blessing.
Raising and dressing the torah
- Unroll scroll to show a few columns
- Hold the two handles of the Torah and gently pull it toward you so that the bottom of the scroll extends slightly off the lectern
- Bend your knees slightly and push downward on the handles. This will lever the Torah upward.
- Raise the Torah and turn around to show it to the congregation (for about ten seconds)
- Carry the Torah to the side seats (the gabbai will direct you), sit down (bring your arms down) and have your assistant dress Torah
Note: At certain times of the year, one of the scrolls may be significantly larger than the other. Take a look before lifting so that you can compensate for the heavier side.
The following videos demonstrate the process