Michelle Chamuel is rocking The Voice. Plus what former child star Mara Wilson has to say about Amanda Bynes (and other child stars who run into trouble).
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This week's storyteller focuses on a fascinating little story in parashat Chukkat which highlights the symbol of the snake or serpent. Watch now for ideas of how the snake became a healing symbol.
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Your relationship with your partner has become increasingly serious. But how will you discuss it with your parents?
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Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, Beth Ahabah is a thriving Reform Jewish congregation with more than 220 years of history offering active religious school, youth and adult programs.
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Join the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center for a three-night trip to the Berkshires. Take in the Boston Pops, and all that the Berkshires has to offer. July 7-10, Boston, MA.
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Supporting rabbis and cantors looking to engage interfaith couples and families in their communities and help them make a stronger connection with Judaism.
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A great way for Jewish professionals and volunteers who work with and provide programming for people in interfaith relationships to locate resources and trainings to build more welcome into their Jewish communities; connect with and learn from each other; and publicize and enhance their programs and services.
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Check out all the news posts by the G-dcast team! But don't forget to stop by the Network blog (written by InterfaithFamily staff) and the Parenting Blog too!
Go To BlogsOctober, 2012
Have you ever seen the Torah lifted up high during a prayer service and thought to yourself, "I'm much to short/small/weak/nervous to try that"?
Let us assure you: you're not too short, small, weak, or nervous to try!
The acts of lifting and then dressing the Torah are honors that anyone can easily learn.
During any service in which the Torah is read, the reading is followed by the Torah being lifted for the congregation to see and then re-rolled and dressed. The hagbah is "lifting the Torah" into the air so that all can see its words.
This sacred task can be taught quickly. The person doing hagbah unrolls the Torah scroll so that it's about shoulder width, then lifts the Torah at least to shoulder height, and turns around so that the writing is facing the congregation. In some congregations, the Torah remains held high while a particular verse is sung, while in others the Torah is either lowered back to the bimah or is carried to a seat (keeping the Torah in the vertical position). The person who did hagbah is now seated, holding the Torah upright on their lap, and is almost done. Generally, the front portion of the Torah (see below) will be facing them; the back portion will be facing the congregation.
The person "dressing the Torah," performing the ritual known as gelilah (which really means "rolling the Torah"), who has been standing off to the side while the Torah has been lifted, accompanies the Torah to the seat (watching to rescue the Torah if it begins to wobble). When that person is seated with the Torah, the person honored with gelilah dresses the Torah with its belt, its cover, and any other pieces (such as a mantle, pointer — known as a yad, or crowns).
The Torah is still dressed as the priests at the time of the holy Temple in Jerusalem dressed it. Lifting and dressing the Torah are honors because these tasks publicly demonstrate how the community loves and reveres the words of the scroll and all it stands for and teaches.
Looking for a rabbi or cantor to officiate at a wedding or other life cycle event? Our free referral service can help.
Officiation
