Torah Lifting in 4 easy steps!

The Torah, or Five Books of Moses, is  the holiest ritual object that the Jewish people has today. Handwritten with a quill on special parchment, it is considered a great honor to look upon and read its text. Because of this, we lift the scroll high so that all in attendance may partake in this mitzvah.  As Rabbi  Abraham Abele Gombiner (1635-1683) writes ... “When one sees the letters, the holiness of the words radiates and imparts holiness to the individual."

Absolutely not!  Like many things that appear difficult,  lifting the Torah scroll is all about technique. That's why pulling the scroll halfway off and using the edge of the shtender (table) as a fulcrum is so very important.  By doing this, both sides of the scroll stay even with each other, no matter how evenly or unevenly the scroll is weighted. Then just let your legs do the lifting while keeping your arms steady.  By following this, strength should not come into play. **NEVER try and lift a Torah with just your wrists as this is the easiest way to tear the parchment and also a good way to hurt yourself.

Good question!  If you unroll the scroll to three columns before sliding it halfway off the table, the hanging parchment in between the two spools will almost always get caught on the lip of the table, creating an opportunity for it to tear.  However,  if you first pull the scroll off the table with the spools closed together and then spread it apart, you avoid the chance of the parchment getting caught.

The honor of hagbah is always paired with gelilah, the honor of 'dressing' the Torah.  So, immediately after you lift the Torah, you will be directed to sit in a chair at which point the gelilah person will grab the top handles of the scroll and tightly wind both sides together while you support from below by loosely holding the bottom handles.  Then, they will tie or clip the sash (belt) in place and finish by dressing the Torah with its mantel (cover).  Finally, the Torah will be taken from you and placed in a holder.  You're done! 

Yes, a few customs that you may choose to do.  

First, you'll be wearing a tallit (prayer shawl), so before you begin the hagbah,  feel free to touch the Torah with the tallit and then kiss your tallit.  It's a great way to show the Torah a little extra love.

Second, after your lift is complete,  it is customary to walk  backwards down the bimah (stage) steps.  Do this carefully by holding onto the railing.  We do this  because it is said that one should never turn their back on a Torah Scroll.  

Finally, as you return to your seat, people will wish you 'Yasher Koach', which translated means "more power to you" but really has the feel of someone just saying 'nice job.'   You may respond with the words 'Baruch Tehiye' or 'Baruch T' for short.  However, if you forget, a simple 'thank you' and a smile will work just fine :)

A nice and steady hagbah is a thing of beauty.  So if you pull the scroll halfway off the table, lift with confidence, keep the parchment taut to avoid slack and use your legs more than your arms,  then you'll do just fine.  By the way, feel free to arrive early to the synagogue and practice BEFORE the service starts with a Torah in the temple's smaller chapel.  It's totally allowed and will help with any nerves you may have.  You can also stop by your own temple midweek and practice there, too.

Finally, as with all things Jewish, there are many viewpoints and ways that things are done ... and  customs that differ from shul to shul.  So if you have any questions that have not been covered here or are uncertain about anything, feel free to reach out to the temple's clergy for clarification.  I'm sure they'd love to speak with you!  Here's wishing you a 'Yasher Koach' in advance!

**For those of you looking for a bit more depth with regards to the tradition of hagbah, feel free to check out this link:  https://jewishaction.com/religion/jewish-law/whats-truth-much-open-torah-hagbah/