Q&A: Auctioning Torah Honors for Money in the Synagogue on the Sabbath
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This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Auctioning Torah Honors for Money in the Synagogue on the Sabbath
Question
Hello,
I arrived at the synagogue on the Sabbath after a long time, and was astonished to discover that the local rabbi had begun auctioning off the honors while standing at the bimah: 100 shekels for the first aliyah, going once, going twice, etc.
Instinctively I felt that this runs against the principles of the Sabbath, and perhaps even its laws. Is this a common practice, or is it something found only in certain communities (Chabad/Hasidic circles)?
Thank you, and Sabbath peace.
Answer
This is accepted in many places. Usually it is not a lottery but a sale. It is used to support the synagogue, and anyone who does not like this practice is welcome to donate money toward the synagogue’s upkeep.