In part two of our look at Jewish blessings, we’re going to look at the blessings recited before reading Torah and after reading Torah.

During Shabbat, anyone could be chosen to read a passage from the Torah (usually the reader will be chosen in advance and advised of this privilege so as to prepare.). The entire blessing to be recited before reading Torah is shown here:

Before Reading Torah

Now let’s break it down. When you come to the podium, the Torah scroll will be opened to the passage you’ll be reading. The Rabbi will point to the first word of the passage. Traditionally you would then touch the first word with the fringe of your Tallit and then bring the fringe to your lips as a show of respect and love for
the Torah.

When you do that, you begin by giving praise to God:

בָּרְכוּ אֶת ייָ הֳמְּבוֹרָךְ׃

The congregation will then respond with:

בָּרוּךְ ייָ הֳמְּבוֹרךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד׃

You will then begin reciting the actual blessing (note this is the basic formula I wrote about in the previous post)

בָּרוּךְ‎ אתָּה ייָ‎ אֳלוֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם‎

Next you give praise to God who chose the Jewish people from among all nations to be His people…

אֳשֶׁר בָּחֳר בָּנוּ מִכָּל הָעֱמִּים…

and gave to the Jewish people the Torah.

ונָתֳן לָנוּ אֶת תּוֹרָתוֹ׃

And then end the blessing with more praise – “Praised are you, Eternal One, giver of Torah”

בָּרוּךְ אֳתָּה ייָ נוֹתֵן הֳתּוֹרָה׃

After the blessing has been said, you will then read the passage.

After The Reading

Once you are done reading, the Rabbi will point to the last word of the passage, and then you will again touch the last word with the fringe of your Tallit and bring it to your lips. Then you again recite the blessing shown above, but without waiting for any congregation response.

בָּרוּךְ‎ אתָּה ייָ‎ אֳלוֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם‎
אֳשֶׁר בָּחֳר בָּנוּ מִכָּל הָעֱמִּים
ונָתֳן לָנוּ אֶת תּוֹרָתוֹ׃
בָּרוּךְ אֳתָּה ייָ נוֹתֵן הֳתּוֹרָה׃

This is just a basic look at how to recite a blessing at Torah reading. In reality, there may be other things to do – it depends on the local synagogue.