A New Torah Dedication Ceremony – Part 1
When the ceremony starts at the home of the torah scroll donor:
At the conclusion of the writing ceremony the scroll is rolled and covered with a festive Torah cover. The following is read responsively before departing from the house on the way to the synagoge:
מזמור לדוד…
The assembled proceeds to the synagogue and the Chazan chants:
ויהי בנסע…
The new sefer arrives at the synagogue welcomed by the existing scrolls which are brought out to “welcome” the new one to its new home. While walking around the Bima with all of the scrolls, the following prayer taken from the Simchat Torah service is read responsively:
אתה הראת…
אב הרחמים…
שמע ישראל…
The existing scrolls are returned to theArk. The new scroll is placed on the Bima and then, the donor who is wearing a new garment in honor of the event makes the blessing of Shehechyanu to cover the garment and the new torah scroll.
A New Torah Dedication Ceremony – Part 2
The reader reads from the new sefer (without the recital of the traditional blessing) and at the conclusion of the reading, the audience recites the traditional “Chazak, Chazak v’nitchazek” (said at the completion of each of the books of the Torah).
מענה …
ויעל משה…
The “misheberach” blessing is recited for the entire congregation and for the donor of the new scroll.
The new Torah is now walked towards the Holy Ark accompanied by singing and dancing.
יהללו את…
The following is recited responsively using the tune for the High Holy Days:
לדוד מזמור…
As the new scroll is being placed in the Ark, the following is recited:
ובנחה יאמר…
עלינו לשבח…
ועל כן…
Mourner’s Kadish
