Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 281:8-282:6

Hook

Have you ever sat in a synagogue and wondered why some services seem to drag on forever while others fly by? Sometimes, it feels like the person reading from the Torah scroll just keeps calling more and more people up for an aliyah—the honor of being called to the Torah. You might find yourself thinking, "Is there a limit to how many people can go up?" or "Are we just making this up as we go?" It’s a common curiosity! Jewish tradition actually has a long history of debating whether more is always better when it comes to communal rituals. Today, we’re going to look at a classic debate about how we balance our desire to include everyone with the need to keep things focused and meaningful. Let’s dive in!

Context

• Who: Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein (1829–1908), a master of Jewish law who wrote the Arukh HaShulchan. He was known for being incredibly practical and understanding of human nature.
• When: Written in the late 19th century in Eastern Europe. He wanted to summarize complicated laws so regular people could understand them easily.
• Where: The Arukh HaShulchan is a major code of Jewish law (Halakha—the path of Jewish living). It covers everything from daily prayer to holiday observance.
• The Key Term: Aliyah (literally "an ascent") refers to the honor of being called up to recite a blessing over the Torah scroll during a service.

Text Snapshot

"The Levush seemed to say that it is good to add to the number of people called to the Torah... he wrote regarding addition, ‘We ascend in sanctity.’ It does not appear so, though, from all of the authorities; it seems that they only permitted addition [and did not encourage it]... Some say that... adding ascendants adds blessings, and is close to introducing purposeless blessings. These blessings were never instituted... [But] this opinion has never been accepted. Most authorities did not agree to it... This is the custom which has spread." — Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 281:8-282:6 (Read the full text here)

Close Reading

Insight 1: The Tension Between Ritual and Inclusion

The text highlights a fascinating "tug-of-war" between two Jewish values: the integrity of the ritual and the desire to make people feel included. On one side, some scholars worried that adding too many people to the Torah reading would lead to "purposeless blessings." In Jewish law, we are very careful not to say God’s name in vain or offer a blessing that isn't strictly required. They feared that if we keep adding people just to make them feel special, the blessing loses its formal weight. On the other side, rabbis like the Levush argued that "we ascend in sanctity"—meaning that by involving more community members, we actually make the moment holier. Our author, Rabbi Epstein, takes a very grounded approach. He acknowledges the technical arguments but notes that the custom of including people has "spread." He recognizes that when people feel connected to the Torah, the community is stronger, even if it pushes the boundaries of a "standard" service.

Insight 2: The Wisdom of Knowing When to Let Go

One of the most human moments in this text is the end, where the author discusses Yom Kippur. He acknowledges that some scholars feel we shouldn't add extra Torah honors on the holiest day of the year because the reading is specifically about atonement—we shouldn't interrupt the flow. However, he concludes with a dose of pure, humble reality: "What can we do? The people will not listen to us." He realizes that if the community wants to participate and feels honored by being called to the Torah, it’s not worth starting a fight over. This is a brilliant insight for any community: the law is important, but the people living the law are just as important. He chooses peace and inclusion over strict adherence to a standard that would frustrate his congregants. It reminds us that Judaism is meant to be a living, breathing experience that accommodates the people, not a rigid set of rules that exists in a vacuum. It’s okay to bend the edges if it keeps the heart of the community beating together.

Apply It

This week, try the "One-Minute Inclusion" practice. Whether at work, home, or in a community group, look for a moment to invite someone else into a space where they might feel like an outsider. It doesn't have to be a big deal—just a quick, "What do you think about this?" or "Would you like to join us for this task?" Just as the rabbis debated including more people in the Torah reading to create a sense of belonging, you can create a "mini-sanctuary" in your own life by simply opening a door for someone else. You don't need a formal role or a special title to make someone feel like they "ascend" in importance just because you noticed them. Aim to do this once a day for 60 seconds. It’s a small way to practice the spirit of aliyah—lifting others up.

Chevruta Mini

• If you were a rabbi, would you prioritize keeping the service short and traditional, or would you prioritize letting as many people as possible participate? Why?
• Can you think of a time when you felt "included" in a group or tradition? What specifically did that person do to make you feel that way?

Takeaway

Even when rules are strict, the most important part of Jewish tradition is often how we treat the people standing right in front of us.