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Aliyot
On Shabbat morning, we have seven Aliyot to the Torah – the first goes to a Kohen ( a direct descendant of Aaron the High Priest), the second to a Levi (member of the tribe that assisted in the Temple Services) and the rest go to Israelites. The same pattern is followed on Rosh Chodesh, major Festivals, Chol Ha Moed and the High Holidays – though these holidays have 4, 5 or 6 Aliyot. On Shabbat afternoon and Monday and Thursday morning, when we have a total of three Aliyot - they go one to each group.
What if there is a situation where there is no Kohen present? In this case, the first Aliya goes to a Levi (who is called “Bimkom Kohen - in place of the Kohen”. The second and remainder of the Aliyot then go to Israelites.
What if there is a Kohen present, but no Levi? In this situation, the Kohen gets the first Aliya and may also take the second one (though when this occurs at TBS, our Kohanim gladly relinquish this option and allow an Israelite to take the second honor). The rest of the Aliyot go to Israelites, in either case.
What is there are no Kohanim or Levi’im present? Then, of course, all the honors go Israelites!
There are situations where an individual is present in the Minyan, but is not eligible for an Aliya – two examples are a person who is in the week of Shiva, but has come to the synagogue service (such as on the Shabbat, when private mourning is prohibited) and a person who has suffered a loss and has come to shul prior to the burial of their loved one. In such cases, even if this individual was the only Kohen or Levi present, their status as mourners excludes them from the potential of having an Aliya.
There are times when Kohanim or Levi’im are present, but the Aliyot are needed for several Israelites for special occasions – this happens frequently on Monday or Thursday mornings when several people are present who are observing Yahrzeits – it is traditional to take an Aliya in memory of the deceased. It is considered rude to ask someone to leave the room (of course, if no Kohen or Levi is present, as we saw earlier, then all the Aliyot may be given to Israelites) – so we have developed a euphemism at TBS. Kohanim or Levi’im are asked if they could develop a sudden thirst just before the Torah reading begins – if they are thirsty and leave the room to get a drink, then we can call up those who have requested the honor. Though this doesn’t happen very often, it certainly would not work on Tisha B’av or Yom Kippur!
Alvin Stern |
