Halakhic Thought

[debka_notion]

So the egal minyan at JTS does not give the first and second aliyot to a kohen and levi, respectively. However today the person to whom they gave the first aliyah was a kohen. And they went on about their usual progression, so the next person was not a levi, nor did they give the second aliyah to the same person. And I understand not giving out aliyot based on that status issue, and since it was established for the sake of peace, I wouldn't complain about a minyan that does not hold by it for the sake of peace. But once you do call a kohen for the aliyah- I do wonder what the best choice of action would have been. On the other hand, they had handed out the aliyot in advance, and I know that once you call someone, you don't replace them, even if you should have called someone else- so maybe handing out the aliyot has some of the same status. It's just an interesting thing to think about.

Comments

[debka-notion.livejournal.com]

Thanks. That makes sense- I just found it a little bit of a brain-twister, since my default brain-setting is still for the traditional distribution of aliyot. I guess as far as I've gotten in readjusting is some sort of internal presumption that however the aliyot start, they will continue. So having a kohein called up first sent me scrambling.

(Also being a Gentile, or I suppose in theory being in cherem or something, no? At the shul in Waltham the gabbay accidentally gave a gentile an aliyah. It was, well, a bit awkward afterwards when he and we found out.)

[gimmelgirl.livejournal.com]

I'd give someone an aliyah DAVKA if I knew they were in cherem!!!!

True, gentiles would probably be separate but equal in this system. ;o)

[debka-notion.livejournal.com]

What if your rebbeim were the ones who put them in cherem? Heck- what if you were involved? I mean, isn't there a point the cherem, at least in theory?

[gimmelgirl.livejournal.com]

depends on why. usually it's MY rabbis who are being put in cherem....

[shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com]

So next time the Neturei Karta have a conference in NYC, they can expect an aliyah from you? :)

[gimmelgirl.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. And I would say a prayer for the state of Israel on their aliyah!!!!
(and SING it loudly and seductively)

[shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com]

Okay, silly example. Would you give an aliyyah to a man who's in cherem for being a recalcitrant husband?

[gimmelgirl.livejournal.com]

:sigh:

See my point below about WHO usually gets put into cherem - it's liberal rabbis.

I was really just trying to make a joke about you know, say, Spinoza? Remember, my journal's subtitle is Beit Shammai.... Just trying to funny.

[hotshot2000.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure R. Nosson Slifkin would take an aliyah at WLSS . . .