Giving Aliyos Without Mentioning Names

Can two brothers or a father and a son be given consecutive aliyos if their names are not mentioned?

The Mishna Berura (141:21) writes that if the shul’s custom is that the maftir is called up with the words “yaamod maftir” – “let the maftir come for this aliya” – without specifying his name, it is permitted to call two brothers or a father and a son one after another for shevi’i and maftir. So too, he adds, if the shul’s minhag is to call the one who receives shevi’i without mentioning his name, the two relatives can be called to shishi and shevi’i one after another. Likewise, if the names of those who receive hagbaah and gelila are never mentioned, two brothers or a father and son can receive the hagbaah and gelila (She’arim HaMetzuyanim B’Halacha 23:10 in the name of the Shu”t Avnei Chefetz Siman 16). In all these instances, the relationship of the two people receiving Kibudim (honors) is not obvious, because the names are not being used, and there would be no ayin harah.

However, the Mishna Berura (ibid.) adds that the above halachos only apply when the shul’s minhag is not to call the person’s name for these honors. If, however, the regular custom is to use the person’s name, it is not appropriate to call up these relatives by omitting their names as this omission would draw attention to the fact that they are being called up and lead to ayin harah.

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.