Public Torah Reading

A Torah Reading Wizard that will lead you through the synagogue public Torah reading: from when the ark is opened, through the actual reading and aliyot, until the Torah scroll is returned to its place.

The Rebbe is called to the Torah.

A recording of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Torah readings by a renowned Torah reader.

In the Code of Jewish Law Rama in Orach Chaim 134. it is written that a Torah scroll should be held in one's right arm (and rested on the right shoulder). This applies even if the one holding the Torah is left-handed. There are two verses that allude to ...

Verses: When G‑d taught Moses the Torah, He also taught him the proper pronunciation and punctuation of its words: vowels, grammar, and sentence set-up—i.e. verses (pesukim). Similarly, the authors of the respective (divinely inspired) books of Prophets ...

Question: At a synagogue I recently attended, I noticed people bidding for the right to be called to the Torah, or as they called it, getting an aliyah. What is so special about an aliyah? Are some more sought after than others? Response: Let's divide ...

Question: Is it important that the Torah be read in the traditional melody? Who made up these melodies anyway? Response: The actual Torah scroll contains only letters. The printed editions, known as Chumashim, commonly contain not only the vowel ...

On a typical week, the Torah is read publicly on Monday, Thursday, and twice on Shabbat. On holidays, fast days, and Rosh Chodesh, the Torah is read regardless of the day of the week. When did this start? Moses instituted that the Torah be read three ...

Please note: These recordings were not created on Shabbat or Jewish holidays. They are for educational purposes only.