Addendum to Halacha sent out this past Friday about the Beracha for Aliyat Maftir on Shabbat Hol HaMoed:
As to minhag Halab (Aleppo), in the Sefer Derech Eres on page 66, he writes that the minhag in Halab was to mention the Hag in the last Beracha of the Haftara both on Succot and Pesah. This is recorded as well by Hacham Yishak Chehebar ZT"L former Chief Rabbi of Argentina. Therefore, those who practice Minhag Halab should mention the Hag in the last Beracha of the Haftara as well as closing; "Mekadesh HaShabat Yisrael VeHazemanim".
** Todays Halacha:
There is a widespread custom to call the children in the synagogue for an Aliyah to the Torah on Simhat Torah. An adult, of course, is called with the children and he recites the Berachot on their behalf.
It is customary for a Tallit to be spread over the heads of the children during their Aliyah, by having four men hold the four corners of the Tallit and stand around the children. Some have questioned the propriety of this practice in light of the prohibition against constructing an Ohel (tent) on Yom Tov. However, Chacham Ovadia Yosef permitted this custom, because this "tent" is sustained by men who hold the edges of the Tallit in the air, which is clearly not the usual manner of constructing a tent. Furthermore, this "tent" is not intended to remain permanently; the Tallit is held only for a few moments, and it therefore does not violate the prohibition of erecting an Ohel on Yom Tov.
After the Aliyah, the congregation blesses the children with the recitation of the verse, "Ha'malach Ha'go'el" (Bereishit 48:16).
