The following is a list of Honors that are available on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur:
These honors are traditionally proven to bestow blessings.
Contact us to reserve an honor.
You may want to keep in mind:
-Honors can also be purchased in honor of someone else.
-Honors can be purchased by male or female, the male will be called upon.
Rosh Hashanah Day One: Tuesday, September 16th
1. Cohen / First Aliyah - can be purchased by a Cohen or for a Cohen.
-- This Aliyah describes how our matriarch Sarah conceived & bore a son, our patriarch Isaac & was circumcised at eight days old.
2. Levi / Second Aliyah - can be purchased by a Levi or for a Levi.
-- This Aliyah describes Isaac being raised as a Jew, & Abraham being commanded to drive away Hagar & her son Ishmael.
3. Shlishi / Third Aliyah
-- This Aliyah describes how Abraham fulfilled the command of driving away Hagar & Ishmael.
4. Revi'i / Fourth Aliyah
-- Avimelech makes a peace treaty with Abraham to deal faithfully with his progeny.
5. Chamishi / Fifth Aliyah
-- Abraham reveals to Avimelech, that the Philistines are stealing his wells.
7. Maftir (Sponsor Rabbi's Aliya)
-- The Haftorah from Samuel 1 describes how G‑d blessed Chana with a son, the prophet Samuel.
8. Hagbah: Raising of the Torah Scrolls (2X)
-- When raising the Torah one "raises with it all the previous Aliyot" and receives reward for all the Aliyot rolled in one (Shulchan Aruch).
9. Gelilah: Wrapping of the Torah Scrolls (2X)
-- HaKol holeich achar ha'chitum ("Everything goes according to the end")! Children may participate in this honor. As it is with the previous honor, you receive a measure of reward for all the Aliyot purchased heretofore.
Rosh Hashanah Day Two: Wednesday, September 17th
1. Cohen / First Aliyah - can be purchased by a Cohen or for a Cohen.
-- This Aliyah describes how on the third day of travel, Abraham was able to already view the place from afar.
2. Levi / Second Aliyah - can be purchased by a Levi or for a Levi.
-- This Aliyah describes how Abraham readies Isaac to be sacrificed, & at the last moment is withheld from doing so.
3. Shlishi / Third Aliyah
-- In this Aliyah there are more Blessings for Abraham & Isaac for their sacrifice.
4. Revi'i / Fourth Aliyah
-- Avimelech makes a peace treaty with Abraham to deal faithfully with his progeny.
5. Chamishi / Fifth Aliyah
-- In this Aliyah it is mentioned about the birth of our matriarch Rebekah.
6. Maftir (Sponsor Rabbi's Aliya)
-- This Haftorah from Jeremiah describes G‑d's Great Love for the Jews, & promises our matriarch Rachel that He'll redeem us, because of her sacrifice to be buried outside of Israel, so the Jews can always have a place to pray upon, even in exile.
7. Hagbah: Raising of the Torah Scrolls (2X)
-- When raising the Torah one "raises with it all the previous Aliyot" and receives reward for all the Aliyot rolled in one (Shulchan Aruch).
8. Gelilah: Wrapping of the Torah Scrolls (2X)
-- HaKol holeich achar ha'chitum ("Everything goes according to the end")! Children may participate in this honor. As it is with the previous honor, you receive a measure of reward for all the Aliyot purchased heretofore.
Yom Kippur Eve: Wednesday, September 24th
1. Pesicha Kol Nidrei / Opening of the Ark
-- It is very meritorious for one to open the Ark, and take out the Torah-scrolls to be held during Kol Nidrei. While removing the Sifrei Torah one should kiss and caress them while confessing his sins. Opening the Ark, especially the first one, opens the gates of heaven to our prayers
2. Holding the Torah during The Kol Nidrei
-- It is taught: It is a source of merit to hold any of the scrolls – especially the first one – during Kol Nidrei and is a very great privilege (Yesod v'Shoresh ha'Avodah; Ari Z"L).
This honor stands you right next to the cantor installing you as a member of the ecclesiastical court, which annuls all unfulfilled vows, thereby, dispensing forgiveness to the Jewish community.
Yom Kippur Day Torah Reading: Thursday September 25th
1. Cohen / First Aliyah- can be purchased by a Cohen or for a Cohen.
-- "Aaron's two sons…" (Nadav and Avihu). The passing of Aaron's righteous sons is relevant to the spirit of Yom Kippur, for: "Just as Yom Kippur brings atonement, so, too, does the death of the righteous…" (Vayikra Rabba, 20:12).This honor, the Zohar teaches, takes the place of the sacrifices on Yom Kippur.
2. Levi / Second Aliyah- can be purchased by a Levi or for a Levi.
--"…And for his household." Aaron's confession is for the sake of his immediate and extended family (the Kohanim). Be a part of the priestly family and gain atonement through its High Priest.
3. Shlishi / Third Aliyah –
"…Who dwells with them amid their contamination." Our service to G‑d causes Him to abide within and among us. This is the ultimate mission of the Jew. This honor brings you within the proximity of G‑d's Divine glory.
4. Riviee / Fourth Aliyah –
--"All the iniquities." Unlike the offerings mentioned previously, which atoned for sins involving contamination and the Temple, this (the Azazel) atoned for all transgressions over the past year (Shavuot 2b)Purchasing this honor goes a long way in wiping your slate completely clean.
5. Chamishee / Fifth Aliyah –
--"For through this day atonement will be made for you, to purify you…" The essence of the day itself atones (Yoma)!
6. Shishee / Sixth Aliyah –
--"This shall be an eternal statute to bring atonement upon the Children of Israel." If you haven't had a chance, this is the last one before Maftir, to really atone for the past.
7. Maftir - can be purchased by anyone.
--The Haftorah read for this Maftir is a selection from Isaiah chosen because of its focus on the proper manner of penitence. The prophet harshly criticizes those who think they can gain appeasement from G‑d by merely fasting and through physical affliction devoid of inner-conviction. Instead, he urges; true repentance involves extreme kindness and charity and changing one's ways. By acquiring this honor you epitomize what Isaiah wanted from Israel, thereby finding favor in G‑d's Eyes.
8. Hagbah - raising the Torah- can be purchased by anyone.
--When raising the Torah one "raises with it all the previous Aliyot" and receives reward for all the Aliyot rolled in one (Shulchan Aruch).
9. Holding the Torah
--HaKol holeich achar ha'chitum ("Everything goes according to the end")! Children may participate in this honor. As it is with the previous honor, you receive a measure of reward for all the Aliyot purchased heretofore.
Mincha Services
Maftir Yonah-
-- This is the most important Aliyah of the day, as well as the last. Tradition tells us that buying this honor is a special segulah for wealth. In communities the world over this merit is bought for thousands of dollars. Remember, you reap what you sow. There can be no better investment than this.
Neilah - Closing Services
-- This is the final Ark opening of Yom Kippur. Suffice it to say, this is truly the end – the chatimah – of our service and petition to G‑d. This is your final chance, before the "Gates of Heaven" close ("Neilah"). With this honor you are the "gatekeeper" for our final supplications. Tradition tells us that the one who merits opening the Ark for Neilah will be blessed with long life!
