How to Say the Torah Blessings in the Synagogue

The central part of a morning synagogue service on Shabbat (Sabbath) and holidays is the reading from the Torah or Hebrew Bible from the parchment scroll. An adult who knows how to chant the words in Hebrew (cantillation) reads each section of the passage. Before and after each section, prayers are said acknowledging the gift of Torah and its study. Often family members or friends are given the honor (called "aliyah" which means "going up") of reciting this prayer during a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. These instructions follow the customs of the Conservative Movement in the United States and Canada.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A yarmulke or kippa (head covering) for men and women
• A tallit (prayer shawl) required for men, optional for women
• A prayer book (for women who don't have a tallit)

1. Find out the number of the aliyah (honor) which you have been given. There are usually seven on Shabbat.

2. When the Torah Service is in progress, pay attention as each section is read in turn. During the reading preceding your honor, make your way to the front of the sanctuary near the left side. Sit or stand nearby.

3. As soon as the person before you has finished the prayer concluding the previous section, go up to the reader's table. There are two people officiating called "gabbaim" or proofreaders, whose responsibility is to make sure that the reader makes no errors. The one on the left side will be waiting to hear your Hebrew name. Tell the gabbai your name then go stand to the right of the reader facing the congregation.

4. The reader will indicate with the silver yad (pointer) where the section begins on the parchment scroll. Gather the ritual fringes on one side of your prayer shawl into your hand (or hold your prayer book with the corner pointing down) and lightly touch the spot on the parchment that was indicated.

5. Kiss the prayer shawl or the book where it touched the scroll. Then say, "Bar-khoo et Adonai Ham-vo-rach."

6. The congregation will respond "Ba-ruch Adonai Ham-vo-rach lay-olam va-ed."
   Repeat "Ba-ruch Adonai Ham-vo-rach lay-olam va-ed."

7. Then say "Ba-ruch ata Adonai elohaynoo melech ha-olam a-sher ba-har ba-noo mee-kol ha-a-meem, v'na-tan la-noo et Toratoe. Ba-ruch ata Adonai notayn ha Torah."

8. The reader will then read the passage. At the conclusion, take the fringes or the prayer book again and touch the scroll where the passage ended. Kiss the fringes or prayerbook then say "Ba-ruch ata Adonai elohaynoo melech ha-olam asher natan lanoo Torat emet v'chayay olam nata b'tocheynu. Ba-ruch ata Adonai no-tayn ha Torah."

9. The gabbaim and the reader will congratulate you for the honor by shaking your hand and wishing you strength. Acknowledge their wishes by smiling and nodding your head. Or you may say in English "May you be blessed."

10. Move to the other side of the reader while the person following you comes up to recite the prayer for the next section. Stay there during the reading of that section.

11. When the person following you comes to take your place you may go back to your seat. Try to exit without completely turning your back to the Torah scroll in acknowledgment of its holiness. As you go back to your seat, accept the congratulations of others in the congregation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have never seen this prayer recited in a service before, consider attending a service in advance so you will know what to expect. If you need assistance, ask the rabbi or cantor of the synagogue for advice.

• Pronounce the "ch" in the prayers in the back of your throat. After a little practice you will be able to do it well enough.

• If you don't know your Hebrew name, ask the rabbi or the cantor of the synagogue for advice.

• Use a bobby pin or clip to keep your kippa on so you won't be distracted by it falling off in the middle of your prayer.

• While you are listening to the reading, feel free to make a silent prayer of your own.

• The correct Hebrew response to the congratulations is "ba-ruch tihiyeh" to men and "brucha t'hiyeh" to women. If you can't remember, just say it in English.

Resources

• audio link to blessings