The Aufruf

(literally: calling up – from the German/Yiddish)

Among Ashkenazi Jews, it is a custom to call up the Chatan (bridegroom) to the Torah on the Shabbat before the wedding, so that he is given one of the seven Aliyot (blessings before and after a section of the Torah reading).
This is a festive occasion in the presence of family and friends and often concludes with the throwing of sweets at the bridegroom and the singing of a song of congratulation after he concludes the blessings.

Among Sephardim, a similar custom is observed on the Shabbat after the wedding. This is called the Shabbat Chatan (the bridegroom’s Shabbat).

(Among Ashkenazim, the Shabbat after the wedding is the Shabbat Kallah - the bride's Shabbat - a celebratory closure of the period where the bride has been primarily her parent's daughter and recognition of her new status.)

• Both of these ceremonies for the Chatan are connected to a Talmudic source that records the practice in the days of the Temple, from the time of King Solomon, who built a special gate for bridegrooms - who would pass through it on Shabbat, there to be greeted by family and friends.

  After the destruction of the Second Temple, it is said that the custom was moved out to the synagogue; the Aufruf, or the Shabbat Chatan, recalls this change.

• As in every ceremony so far, the element of public acceptance of the new status is essential and this undoubtedly is one of the functions of the Aufruf or the Shabbat Chatan.
  • The bridegroom, and the marriage itself, is formally accepted by the community.
  • In addition there is an element of connection with the Torah, the sacred text, that represents an essential value in Judaism’s concept of the future marriage. It is as if a statement is being made that the marriage should be built around the Torah and the values contained within.
  • In non-orthodox communities, there is a tendency to call up both partners for this part of the ceremony, but in orthodox congregations this is not accepted.

Close this window

The Department for Jewish Zionist Education
The Pedagogic Center
Director: Dr. Motti Friedman
Web Site Manager: Esther Carciente