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What is Gelilah?

What is Gelilah?

: the rolling up of the scroll of the law preparatory to wrapping it in its vestments after reading from it in the synagogue.

What does Hagbahah mean?

Quick Reference. (; elevating), the act of raising the open Torah scroll to display its text to the assembled congregation.

What is the purpose of Gabbaim?

gabbai, (Hebrew: “collector”, ) plural Gabbaim, or Gabbais, treasurer or honorary official of a Jewish Orthodox congregation, often placed in charge of funds used for charity. The office is a carry-over from former times, when men whose reputations were above reproach collected funds for charity.

What is a Gabbi?

gab·bai. (gä-bī′, gä′bī′, gə-bī′) gab·ba·im (gä-bä-ēm′, gä-bī′ĭm) or gab·bais. A person who assists in the running of a synagogue or its religious services, especially the reading of the Torah.

What is a hazzan in Judaism?

A hazzan (/ˈhɑːzən/; Hebrew: [χaˈzan]) or chazzan (Hebrew: חַזָּן‎ ḥazzān, plural ḥazzānim; Yiddish khazn; Ladino Hazan) is a Jewish musician or precentor trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.

What is a Levi in Judaism?

A Levite (or Levi) (/ˈliːvaɪt/, Hebrew: לֵוִי‎, Modern: Levi, Tiberian: Lēwî) is a Jewish male who claims patrilineal descent from the Tribe of Levi. The Tribe of Levi descended from Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah.

What does Aliya mean in Hebrew?

going up
aliyah, plural aliyahs, aliyoth, or aliyot, Hebrew ʿaliya (“going up”), in Judaism, the honour accorded to a worshiper of being called up to read an assigned passage from the Torah (first five books of the Bible).

How do you care for a Torah scroll?

The Torah scroll (or any other sacred item or document written in Hebrew) should never be destroyed and when out of use, should be stored in a specific place (usually a box or room referred to as a genizah) along with any other objects for burial.

Where does gelilah take place in a Sephardic synagogue?

In modern Sephardic congregations, gelilahis generally performed by one of the gabbaim standing on either side of the Torah reader. Reprinted with permission from The JPS Guide to Jewish Traditions, published by the Jewish Publication Society.

Why is the hagbah more important than the gelilah?

Some Rabbis viewed the honor of gelilah as having the spiritual reward of all the aliyot combined, and thus this task was traditionally reserved for the most distinguished members of the congregation. Over time, hagbah became the more coveted task.

How many columns does it take to lift the Torah?

The person who lifts the Torah traditionally opens at least three columns of the scroll before raising it up as high as possible, and then slowly turns to show the script to all assembled.

What does it mean to bow to the open Torah?

(Jewish law) requirement is merely to bow toward the open Torah. Ashkenazim and Sephardim have developed different traditions for the timing and wording of this dramatic ceremony. Pronounced: seh-FAR-dik, Origin: Hebrew, describing Jews descending from the Jews of Spain.

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Ruth Doyle