Are women and minors eligible to receive an aliyah and count toward the required number of readers?
Synopsis
Both women and minors who understand the blessing are technically eligible to count toward the seven required readers on Shabbat. However, Chazal prohibited women from reading publicly out of respect for the community's honor. A child may not serve as the Torah reader (baal koreh) until he has reached maturity.
More in Bathing in Hot Water on Shabbat
Is it permitted to add readers (aliyot) beyond the required seven on Shabbat?
3 opinions
May additional aliyot be added beyond the required number on Yom Tov?
4 opinions across 3 eras
May multiple people be called to read the same Torah portion (i.e., may an aliyah section be repeated for additional readers)?
5 opinions across 3 eras
Is it prohibited to receive an aliyah or read Torah with an uncovered head?
2 opinions
May a mamzer (person of forbidden lineage) receive an aliyah?
2 opinions
What is the status of the maftir: does he count toward the required number of aliyot, and must Kaddish precede his reading?
3 opinions
May a minor serve as maftir for special Torah portions such as Parshat Zakhor, Parshat Para, or other Arba Parshiyot?
3 opinions
If no other person knows how to read the haftara and only someone who already had an aliyah can do so, how does the maftir proceed?
2 opinions
Related from other topics
What is the required number of tzitzit strings per corner, and what happens if more are added?
Who Is Obligated in Tzitzit
What is the order of precedence among 'chiyuvim' (those with special obligation to receive an aliyah) on Shabbat?
Torah Reading for Shabbat and Holidays
When a second reader begins by repeating verses already read by the first reader, how many additional verses must they add for their aliyah to count?
Maftir Aliyah Laws
What is the minimum number of adults required for public Torah reading?
Musaf Prayer
If an error is discovered after the aliyah has already received its concluding blessing, must the reading be redone?
Musaf Prayer
Is a minimum of a kazayit (olive's volume) of bread required for a person to be counted toward a zimun?
Birkat HaMazon — Further Laws
Discussion
Discussion coming soon.
The Daily Law
One question. Every opinion. Every morning.
A new halakhic question and the full spectrum of rabbinic thought, delivered daily.