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

[shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com]

Why is the calling formula "le-aliyah rishonah" as opposed to "rishon" "sheni", etc.?

I think it's to avoid the grammatical confusions that arise when one has both male and female olim. Aliyyot do not change gender.

[hotshot2000.livejournal.com]

If so, LAME! :-) I prefer debka_notion's theory, since to paraphrase The Big Lebowski:

"Grammar ignorami! I mean, say what you like about the tenets of radical egalitarianism, Dude, at least it's an ethos!"

[shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com]

This might be funnier if I'd ever seen The Big Lebowski. Everyone keeps saying I should.

I can't say for sure that that's the reason. It strikes me as the most logical one, but what makes sense to me isn't always what makes sense to other people.

[hotshot2000.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's funny all right, just not to you! ;-)

The think with TBL is the first time you see it, it's not like a "wow" hilarious movie. It's more subtle than that, and it takes time to grow on you, like a fungus. Or something.