Q&A: Giving a Torah Aliyah to Someone Who Publicly Desecrates the Sabbath
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This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Giving a Torah Aliyah to Someone Who Publicly Desecrates the Sabbath
Question
At a family Sabbath Torah reading, there is only one kohen present, and he is known to publicly desecrate the Sabbath. Should he be called up to the Torah, or should they act as though there is no kohen present? (He will not be offended by this.)
Answer
If he believes in God and his blessings have meaning, he may be called up. If not, there is no reason at all to call him up to the Torah. And if he is called up so that he will not be offended, then the count should be completed to a quorum of seven aliyot.