On Friday our Jewish studies leader announced he is taking anyone that wants to do an aliyah during the morning Shabbat services (recite blessings after the Torah is read). I knew an aliyah was an important thing and an honor, but hadn’t learned its full significance yet.
I left the services for bed thinking about it. I thought about how my wife would want me to do it.
I woke up in the middle of the night and saw that the Jewish studies leader was in the dining room with his head down reading or studying. I was hesitant if I should walk up to him, but I saw it as Hashem’s way to get my questions about aliyahs answered.
I decided to walk up to him. I stood to his left, and he noticed me. He asks me, “what are you doing up?” and I told him I had a question. I sat down and asked him about the significance of the aliyah and he took his time to explain it all. He highly suggested I do it, and I told him I wanted to. I asked him what this entailed. He explained all I needed to do was to read the blessings and show up after count at 10am.
I showed up after count, and the Torah was out and they were in the middle of doing aliyahs.
There were about 7 altogether, and I was the last one. I did my part. I got a lot of handshakes and smiles. I felt accomplished.
