Our Jewish Practice

Aliya Peticha and Aliya Chatima

At TeleTefila, we read Torah according to the Triennial Cycle. In the first year, we add an "Aliya Chatima" so we'll get to hear the conclusion of the parsha. In the second and third years, we add an "Aliya Peticha" so we get to hear the beginning of the parsha. We read these non-traditional aliyot in English.

A Note about Haftarah on Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Av (2021)

QUESTION: For Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Av, some sources list the Haftarah as coming from Jeremiah but others list the usual Rosh Chodesh Haftarah from Isaiah instead. Why is that?

Rabbi Miles B. Cohen answers as follows:

"There are two prevalent traditions with highly respected authorities supporting each.

"According to one tradition, the Shabbat Rosh Hodesh haftarah supercedes (as usual) the expected haftarah for the day.

"According to the second tradition, it does not.

"The Isaiah haftarah for Shabbat Rosh Hodesh comes from the end of Isaiah. These are all chapters of consolation and inappropriate for the weeks before Tish'ah Be'av. (All 7 haftarot of consolation after Tish'ah Be'av come from Isaiah 40 and after.) Therefore, the haftarah from Jeremiah for the second Shabbat before Tish'ah Be'av remains in place.

"The Luah, under the halakhic guidance of Rabbi Joel Roth, follows the second tradition."

QUESTION: So why is TeleTefila choosing the Isaiah reading on July 10, 2021?

Answer: Because that's the Haftarah that Bonnie already knows!

Shabbat Shuva

On October 1, 2022 (Parshat Vayeilech), we had some confusion over what to read for the Haftarah on Shabbat Shuva. Here's what we found in various sources:

HebCal.com and Hertz (this is what we read 10-1-2022)
Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27

The most sources say that the Haftarah depends on whether Shabbat Shuva coincides with Parsha Vayeilech or Parsha Haazinu, and whether a community follows the customs of the Ashkenazim or the Sephardim.

HebCal.com revised their Haftarah listings on October 4, 2022
Vayeilech (Ashkenazim) Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20
Haazinu (Ashkenazim) Hosea 14:2-10; Joel 2:15-27
Sephardim Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20

Etz Hayim
Vayeilech (Ashkenazim) Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20
Haazinu (Ashkenazim) Hosea 14:2-10; Joel 2:15-27
Sephardim Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20

Cohen Luach
Vayeilech: Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20
Haazinu: Hosea 14:2-10; Joel 2:15-27

Isaac Klein, A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice:

From Isaac Klein's _A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice_

Marking happy and sad events at TeleTefila

Each week at the beginning of the Torah service, we invite people to share news of recent or upcoming happy occasions. No Hebrew is involved.

Birkat haGomeil is a prayer of gratitude, recited after overcoming a life-threatening illness or surviving a dangerous event. If that applies to you, you can recite the prayer, in English or Hebrew, after the Torah reading. The page numbers can be found here.

If you want to mark a yortsayt with El Malei during the Torah service, download our printouts PDF. Or you can ask a member of the TeleTefila chevra to recite it on your behalf.