In the spirit of First-Century worship, the Nathaniel Fellowship is shedding new light on a sacred and ancient tradition. On High Holy Days and Rosh Chodesh, we bring out the beautiful Torah that we purchased in Jerusalem. It works like this; a chosen person(s) will unveil the Torah, God’s revered, and Holy Word. Another person in self-effacement will come up (Aliyah) to the bima (raised platform of honor given to the Torah) and read in Hebrew (or in English) a portion of Scripture. This Aliyah tradition of coming up to read Torah is precisely the same tradition that Yeshua was part of when He read the Scripture described in Luke 4:16-20.
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. – ESV
