Being Called Up to the Torah with the Mother's Name
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Question
Shalom, for several months now I have been being called up to the Torah using my mother's name, meaning: so‑and‑so the son of so‑and‑so (my mother), because I do not know my father and have had no connection with him since he left us when I was born, and only my mother raised me. The synagogue rabbi asked why I am being called up with my mother's name and said that I need to ask a rabbi. What is the halacha in such a case – am I allowed to continue being called up to the Torah with my mother's name, or is it obligatory to mention my father's name? I am Ashkenazi and pray in an Ashkenazi synagogue.
Answer
Shalom u’vracha.
One should be called up to the Torah with the father’s name, in accordance with the customary practice.
Even if you did not know him and had no connection with him, he is still your father, and you should be called up with the mention of his name.
From the perspective of the mitzvah of honoring one’s father, you are not allowed to ignore him and call yourself only by your mother’s name, because since the custom is to call a person by his father’s name, this constitutes a disrespect: it is noticeable to everyone that you do not wish to be called by his name.
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