Chapter 23: 11-13
Reading the Torah
11. If a kohen or Levi who was not present in the synagogue was called to
the Torah, another person should not be called by name to replace him, lest
one say that the lineage of the first is blemished. Rather, the other
person should simply be asked to accept the aliyah [without having his name
announced.]
Nevertheless, the son of the person originally called may be called to the
Torah by name. This will not create any suspicions regarding the lineage of
the first, for its lineage of the father were blemished, the lineage of the
son would also be blemished.
Similarly, if the reason the Kohen or the Levi does not accept the aliyah
is that he is in the midst, of the Shemoneh Esreh, another person may be
called to the Torah by name, because everyone can see that he did not
accept the aliyah because he was unable to do so.
If a Yisroel was not present was called to the Torah, another person may be
called in his place by name, for no doubts regarding blemished lineage can
be raised with regard to a Yisroel. Similarly, if a Kohen or Levi who was
not present was called as acharon or maftir on a Sabbath, or festival,
another person may be called in his place by name.
12. In the event, a) No Kohen was present in the synagogue; or b) a Kohen
was present, but others were unaware of his presence and a Yisroel was
called in his place, and afterwards the Kohen arrived to others became
aware of his presence, the Kohen is called for the aliyah. This applies
even if the Yisroel has already accepted the aliyah and pronounced Borchu.
As long as he has not begun the blessing asher bochar bonu, the Kohen is
given the aliyah and he also recites Borchu.
In order not to embarrass the Yisroel, he remains standing next to the
Torah platform until the aliyos of the Kohen and the Levi are completed,
and then he is called to the Torah.
Nevertheless, after the Yisroel recites G-d's name in the blessing before
the Torah-i.e., he had already recited Boruch Atoh Ado-noi, the aliyah is
not given to the Kohen.
The same principles apply if a Levi was called to the Torah instead of a
Kohen and the Kohen arrived before the Levi recited Boruch Attoh Ado-noi:
the Kohen is given the aliyah and the Levi is called after him.
Similar principles apply if a Levi was not present or others were unaware
of his presence and the Kohen was called in the place of the Levi. If the
Levi arrived before the Kohen recited Boruch Attoh Ado-noi, the Levi is
called to the aliyah.
13. Two brother, whether paternal brothers or maternal brothers, should not
be called to the Torah in succession. Similarly, a father and son or
grandfather and grandson should not be called to the Torah one after the
other. These practices were instituted because of "evil eye." They apply
even if the individuals say that they do not care; and even when one is
called as the acharon and one as the maftir.
The latter point applies only on the Sabbath, when a second Torah scroll is
not taken out for maftir. However, on festivals or on unique Sabbaths, when
a second Torah scroll is taken out for maftir, it is permitted to call the
above individuals to the Torah in succession. Similarly, if the maftir is
not past bar-mitzvah, it is permissible.
In all the above cases, if one was called to the Torah and ascended to
accept the aliyah, he should not descend. Two maternal brothers and,
similarly, a grandfather and his grandson, if called in succession, need
not refuse the aliyah, even if they have not already ascended to accept it.
If circumstances require, permission may be granted to call such
individuals to the Torah one after another.
