Question: I have several questions regarding the Mi Sheberach, the blessing of the congregant called up to the reading of the Torah. Is it right to mention a specific sum of money when reciting the Mi Sheberach? I am also intrigued by the text of the Mi Sheberach, in which we ask Hashem to do our bidding. Is there a halachic source for the this blessing other than its presence in the siddur? Lastly, is there mention anywhere of the role of the shamash or gabbai as reciters of the Mi Sheberach?
M. Schwartz
Via E-mail
Synopsis: Specifying sums of money on Shabbat is troublesome, and halachic authorities are divided about it. Specifying amounts for charity seems to be allowed (See Orach Chayyim, 306, Rema and Ohr Zarua, Yeshuot Shimshon, Magen Avraham and Aruch Hashulchan 306: 15, 16). Earlier prayerbooks do not mention the Mi Sheberach, but it is in the Siddur Beit Yaakov of Rabbi Yaakov Emden (18th century), after the prayer of Yekum Purkan after the reading of the Torah. Rabbi Yosef Eliyahu Henkin, zt”l (Eidut LeYisrael, siman 67) questions today’s practice of blessing each oleh for coming to the Torah as well as the gabbai and Kohen, as opposed to blessing only those who pledge charity, as well as the current practice of interrupting the reading of the Torah. The Mechaber (Orach Chayyim 141) discusses the importance of the second person standing with the Torah reader, for just as the Torah was given through an intermediary (Moses), we deal with the Torah reading in a similar manner. Petach HaGilayon (commentary to Shulchan Aruch) quotes the Levush (ad loc) that today we need three people including the gabbai (the assistant), who calls up the oleh laTorah, and who, as it were, represents the Shechina – the Divine Presence or even G-d, according to Ateret Zekenim (also commentary to Shulchan Aruch). Tractate Soferim (chapter 14) explains the three as corresponding to the three Patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He stresses that it is proper to follow the Tractate Soferim as it dates from a later period and is knowledgeable about the customs of Israel.
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Answer: Rav Zvi Yosef Myski, zt”l, discusses in detail the function and the responsibilities of the gabbai (also called the segan) in his work Sha’arei Halacha (chelek 2, sha’ar 6:3). He specifically refers to the segan (mentioned by the Levush and Ateret Zekenim) as the “gabbai,” and he also underscores the importance of his position as a representative, so to speak, of the Holy One, blessed be He. Rav Myski quotes Sha’arei Ephraim to that effect: Since it is the segan’s responsibility to call (lit. command) to the Torah whomever he wishes, it is important to select for that position an honorable person who performs good deeds and who is well liked by all. Thus nobody will suspect the gabbai of bestowing honor upon an unworthy person, or withholding honor from one who deserves it, for the sake of personal benefit. It is also important that the people should never suspect the gabbai of any wrongdoing, and give him the benefit of the doubt if they fail to understand his actions, assuming rather that it must have been a mistake on his part.
There are, of course, earlier references to the role of “gabbai” in the Talmud, although the reference there is to “gabba’ei tzedakah” (lit., collectors of charity funds). These individuals usually administered the dues and funds that were collected.
In the chapter Asara Yuchasin dealing with the ancestry of the returnees from the exile in Babylonia (Kiddushin 76a), we learn that the lineage of certain people is never questioned when it comes to marrying a daughter from a priestly family. Among those listed are gabba’ei tzedakah, the charity collection overseers. The Gemara explains that since their duty was to collect the obligatory dues for charity and enforce the pledges made for charity, often resulting in quarrels, people would not shy away from publicizing any blemish in the family of the charity collectors, and every detail of their lives was under public scrutiny and well known (see Rashi, 76b).
The Talmud (Bava Batra 8b) also describes the function of the charity collection overseers in a more pleasing manner, interpreting a pasuk (Daniel 12:3), “U’matzdikei ha’rabbim ka’kochavim le’olam va’ed” – And they who turn many to righteousness [i.e., tzedakah] shall shine like the stars forever and ever – to refer to the gabbaei tzedakah. Nevertheless, the Gemara states numerous rules regarding the collection and supervision of charity funds that must be adhered to scrupulously, lest the overseers be accused of any wrongdoing. Thus, a gabbai tzedakah must at all times exhibit the most exemplary behavior.
We can now understand that the gabbai, who stands in the unique position of representative of the Shechina – the Divine presence – may indeed invoke the Mi Sheberach in a language suggesting command – “Hu yevarech…” – He shall [may He] bless…. A mere mortal is thus empowered to utter seemingly unusual requests, and those called up to the Torah are not in the wrong for requesting and being given such blessings. But the point made by Rabbi Henkin is valid – the recital of Mi Sheberach so many times during the reading of the Torah interferes with the continuity of the reading. Therefore, his suggestion to recite them at the conclusion of Keriyat HaTorah is well taken.
As a final note, let us mention the following incident. An individual was waiting on line at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, to meet the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, zt”l (who used to distribute dollar bills to those who came to him). When this person was introduced to the Rebbe as the gabbai of an important shul, the Rebbe looked at him with a smile and quoted the beginning of the prayer, “Ana beko’ach gedulat yemincha” – We implore You, with the strength of the greatness of Your right hand. Rearranged, the first letters of these words, which are so appropriate, form the word gabbai.
Indeed, now that we are aware of the exalted position of our worthy gabbaim, let us accord them the proper honor, which is their due, as they assist us in attending to two crucial mitzvot – Torah and tzedakah.
