Reading the Torah

k'ri-at hatorah

קריאת התורה

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Reader

Israeli: ' marks a reduced vowel that Israeli speech drops (b'rachah); when the vowel is pronounced it is written e (lefanecha). - separates syllables that would otherwise run together.

How to read the transliterations

The Reader indicates to the oleh the section to be read. At that place the oleh touches the scroll with the tzitzit of his tallit, which he then kisses. Grasping the handles of the scroll, he says:

Hebrew

בָּרְכוּ אֶת יְהוָה הַמְבֹרָךְ.

Israeli

barechu et Adonai hamevorach.

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה הַמְבֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.

Israeli

baruch Adonai hamevorach le-olam va-ed.

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה הַמְבֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.

Israeli

baruch Adonai hamevorach le-olam va-ed.

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בָּנוּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים
וְנָתַן לָנוּ אֶת תּוֹרָתוֹ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה, נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה.

Israeli

baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam
asher bachar banu mikol ha-amim
venatan lanu et Torato.
baruch atah Adonai, noten hatorah.

After the reading, the oleh recites:

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לָנוּ תּוֹרַת אֱמֶת
וְחַיֵּי עוֹלָם נָטַע בְּתוֹכֵנוּ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה, נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה.

Israeli

baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam
asher Natan lanu Torat emet
vechayei olam nata b'tochenu.
baruch atah Adonai, noten hatorah.

Whoever has survived a situation of danger (see the commentary) recites:

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַגּוֹמֵל לְחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת
שֶׁגְּמָלַנִי כָּל טוֹב.

Israeli

baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam hagomel lechayavim tovot
shegmalani kol tov.

The congregation answers:

Hebrew

אָמֵן. מִי שֶׁגְּמָלָךְ כָּל טוֹב הוּא יִגְמָלְךָ כָּל טוֹב, סֶלָה.

Israeli

Amen. mi shegmalach kol tov hu yigmalecha kol tov, selah.

Commentary

… expresses the thought that in reading, studying and observing the word of the Eternal, we touch eternity.

הַגּוֹמֵל Who bestows good on the unworthy: This blessing, known as HaGomel (“who bestows”), is mentioned in the Talmud (Berakhot 54b). It is to be said after the following four circumstances: (1) release from captivity, (2) recovery from a potentially life-threatening illness, (3) a dangerous journey, and (4) a sea-crossing (nowadays, many also say it after an air flight). It is said in the presence of a minyan (at least ten adult males), usually, though not necessarily, at the time of the reading of the Torah, and within three days of the event. הַגּוֹמֵל לְחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת Who bestows good on the unworthy: reminiscent of Jacob’s prayer (Gen. 32:11), “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant.”

בָּרְכוּ Bless the LORD: An invitation to the congregation to join in blessing God, similar to the one that precedes communal prayer in the morning and evening services. אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בָּנוּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים Who has chosen us from all peoples: this ancient blessing, to be said before Torah study as well as before the public reading of the Torah, makes it clear that chosenness is not a right but a responsibility. אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לָנוּ תּוֹרַת אֱמֶת Who has given us the Torah of truth: an act of affirmation following the reading. The blessing, simply but beautifully, …