Opening the Holy Ark before the Torah Reading (Printer Version)

Taking out the Torah -

The Torah is read during Monday and Thursday services (as well as twice during Shabbat services). In olden days, Mondays and Thursdays were market days when farmers would come to the city to buy and sell their goods, and the custom grew to read the first part of the weekly parashah on these days.

The Ein Kamokha is often recited (or sung) when the Torah reading portion of the prayer service is about to begin at the synagogue. The Torah ark is opened to display the Sefer Torah while the Rabbi or cantor removes it, and the following is recited:

There is none like You among the gods, LORD, and there is nothing like Your works.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion is throughout all generations. The LORD reigns, the LORD has reigned, the LORD will reign forever and ever. The LORD will give strength unto His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.

It is also customary to recite a blessing for Jerusalem (Zion) before the Torah is read:

Father of mercies, do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, build Thou the walls of Jerusalem (Psalm 51:18). For in You alone do we trust, O King, God exalted and uplifted, Master of the universe.

Transliterated:

ein kamokha va'elohim, Adonai,ve'ein kema'aseykha
malkhutekha malkhut kol olamin, umemshaltekha
bekhol dor vador. Adonai melekh, Adonai malakh,
Adonai yimlokh leolam va'ed. Adonai oz le'ammo
yitten Adonai yevareikh et ammo vashalom.

Second Part (for Zion):

Av harachamim heitivah virtzonekha et-Tsiyon,
tivneh chomot yerushalayim.
Ki vekha levad batachnu, melekh el ram
venisa' Adon Olamim.

Next:

The Torah Processional

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