{"id":10271,"date":"2014-05-07T00:13:50","date_gmt":"2014-05-06T21:13:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/?p=10271"},"modified":"2020-09-15T12:14:12","modified_gmt":"2020-09-15T09:14:12","slug":"15-07-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/15-07-13\/","title":{"rendered":"13. Torah Reading and Pledges"},"content":{"rendered":"
After Sha\u1e25arit<\/em>, two Torah scrolls are removed from the ark. From the first scroll we read the description of the Kohen Gadol\u2019s avoda <\/em>on Yom Kippur, which is found in the portion of A\u1e25arei Mot (Vayikra 15). Six people are called up to the Torah. The number of people called up to the Torah for an aliya<\/em> changes in accordance with the holiness of the day. On Yom Tov, when melakha<\/em> is forbidden but food preparation is permitted, five people are called up. On Yom Kippur, when all melakha<\/em> is prohibited, six people are called up. On Shabbat, when all melakha<\/em> is prohibited and the punishment for desecration is greater, seven people are called up. If Yom Kippur is on Shabbat, seven people are called up (Megilla<\/em> 21a, 22b; SA 621:1).[11]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n The maftir<\/em> is read from the second Torah scroll. It is taken from the portion of Pin\u1e25as and deals with the additional (\u201cmusaf<\/em>\u201d) sacrifices offered on Yom Kippur (Bamidbar 29:7-11). The haftara<\/em> is from Yeshayahu (57:14-58:14), which is an appropriate choice because the prophet exhorts the people to repent, and the verses mention resting on Shabbat and Yom Kippur.<\/p>\n At Min\u1e25a<\/em> there are three aliyot<\/em>, and we read a section of the Torah dealing with prohibited sexual relations (Vayikra 18). It is meant to inspire the people to repent for and refrain from these extremely tempting but very serious transgressions that impair our holiness. The haftara<\/em> is the Book of Yona, which teaches us about divine providence, from which no one can hide. It also teaches us about the great power of repentance, which is effective even when incomplete, as God does not wish to punish sinners (Megilla<\/em> 31a; SA 621:1).<\/p>\n On Yom Kippur, it is customary to pledge money to the poor and to those dedicated to Torah study, in order to elevate the souls of parents and family members who have passed away. For the dead also achieve atonement on Yom Kippur when charity is given on their behalf (Mordekhai<\/em>; SA and Rema 622:4). This is why the day is called Yom Ha-kippurim (in the plural), as it atones for both the living and the dead. But haven\u2019t those who have died already been judged? How can charity help them? When their children and family members are inspired to donate money and do good deeds in their memory, it shows that the departed souls continue to have a positive influence on the world. Therefore, they earn the right to be judged again in the heavenly court, taking into account the additional merits they have accrued.[12]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n