The last portion of the Shabbat and Festival Torah reading is the Maftir. The person called up for this reading also reads the Haftarah - if he is able to do so - and recites the appropriate blessings. The Haftarah is a reading from the Prophets that has been selected to reflect either the contents of the week’s Torah portion or, where applicable, the week’s significant religious calendrical event.

In some communities, a member observing a Yahrzeit in the upcoming week will be called up for Maftir and invited to read the Haftarah. This is considered to be particularly meritorious for the honour of the deceased - perhaps because reading the Haftarah also involves reciting a number of special blessings.

A person who is due to be called up for Maftir will usually be given advance notice, enabling him to prepare the Haftarah beforehand. If you are due to observe a Yahrzeit in the coming weeks, you can use this website to determine the relevant Haftarah and to rehearse the reading under the tutelage of a leading international cantor. Click here for more details.